Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-10-26
W|NTERNOT TO STOP
DRIVE IN FLANDERS
WASHINGTON EXPERTS DO NOT
EXPECT COLD TO STOP
OPERATIONS.
ENEMIES TO GET NO REST
Weekly Review OF War Operations
ALLIES Have Men and Material TO
Overcome Natural Obstacles-U. 8.
Troops Take Part ! nBattle.

Washington. Military experts here
do not expect winter TO halt the great
allied drive against the Germans in
Flanders. Secretary Bakers weekly
review Of war operations discloses the
belief OF the war department that 20.
tency Of material and men will enable
the British and French commanders
j to triumph over natural obstacles and
continue forcing the enemy backward
without waiting for spring
The review touches for the first time
upon the American expeditiOnary
forces in FraLce. declaring the men,
After three months intensive training,
are in efficient fighting trim and splen-
did physical condition.
In dwelling upon the importance OF
the battle OF Flanders and its effect
upon the morale OF the Germans. the
war secretary declares 1t apparent that
the German high command planned
the recent expedition against the Rus
SLAMS in the ;tiga sector In order 10
bolster up morale and meet impend.
ing internal difficulties. BY extending
her lines In the east, he adds. Ger
many has merely added to the length
Of her line OF communications and
increased confidence in the final allied
victory.
The review covering the week end
ing October 90, follows
Our men In France, after thre.
months intensive training are In splen-
did physical condition and efficient
fighting trim They have readily BE-.
come acclimatized aid now fee, at
home in the war zone.
Our troops have met with the most
warm.hearted and enthusiastic recep-
ton on the part OF the armies and
people OF France.
THE health Of our men overseas
is reported as excellent.
THE week just closed has been one
Of relative quiet on all fronts.
Bad Weather Prevails.
BAD weather already prevails along
the western front, wintry conditions
will soon set in and the terrin will
become increasingly difficult for at.
lacking troops. Nevertheless. the DO,
tency OF allied material and men. the
OF the technical means
of combat, aid the preparations which
have been going on for many months
will make II possible for the British
and French commanders to triumph
over natural obstacles, and with few
short intervals we may expect the of
fensiye to press forward.
IT is not anticipated that the allies
will so into winter quarters this year
THE full importance OF the battle
In Flanders is beginning to be reveal.
ed. In order TO appreciate the real
significance OF this engagement and
the effect II has had on the morale OF
the German army and the German peo-
pie, we must consider briefly thu
German attacks In the Riga sector, in
Guiding the capture Of Oesel. Dago-
and other minor islands OF the Fin
nish gulf.
While no attempt should be made
10 bellttle the Importance OF the DO
'itions gained by the enemy, we can
not fail to record that II is apparent
hat the Germans undertook thh ex.
petition with view to bolstering up
he morale OF the country. more par.
icularly in order to be able to meet
he impending internal difficulties
which threaten to eliminate in a re
lewed cabinet crisis in the near IN.
ure.
Anything for a Victory.
The German higher command has
Invariably picked out a weakened OBJ
ective, In order TO be able to record
success which should be OF political
ather than military value. The asl.
'nds OF the Finnish coast In the hand.
u the enemy in no way offset the re-
ent allied victories in Flanders.