Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-08

WASHINGTON. October THE Brit
ish are slowly. but. therefore. the
more irresistibly." sweeping forward
into the heart Of the German line.
Zeebrugge and Ostend. the great
German submarine bases. are men
aced. The canal system leading out
OF Bruges is threatened.
Air control and shell supply are en-
ablin6 tho British to crumple the Ger
man front at it's strongest point and
make the Flemish coast untenable for
the Kaiser's legions.
These are the outstanding points of
Secretary OF War Bakers official re-
sumo of the events at the front for
the week ending on Saturday In a
lengthy review of tho action in Flan-
ders prepared by the war college and
general STAFF experts from Official re-
ports and confidential advices. he says:
ATTENTION OF WORLD
FOCUSED ON BATTLE
"The attention OF tho world is TO-
cused on the titanic struggle now go
ing on in Flanders. The battle rag
ing there is proving an engagement OF
wholely dnprecedcneed.. scope cand- po-
tentialities.
AT the beginning Of the week. owing
to bad weather, the Germans were
able to launch counterattacks against
the positions recently gained by the
British. Notwithstanding the fact that
the Germans made use OF smoke
screens. liquid fire, and brought into
action an imposing array Of artillery
in their attack against the advanced
British lines between the Tower Ham
let's and PolyEon wood. as well as
Afnt No
futile. 1t is significant. on the other
hand, that while the British were sus-
tainfng the shock of German assaults
successfully. they were able to bring
up sufficient fresh troops in order to
launch another offensive action on an
even larger scale than the preceding
one, IN the face Of the enemy's on
slaught.
THE latest advices Indicate that the
allies have renewed their attack north
of the Tower Hamlets to the Ypres-
Staden railway. 1t would appear that
they have gained a firm foothold on
the northwestern slope OF the Pass
chendaele-Gheluvelt ridge
Along this eight-mile front in tho
Ypres salient. British have everywhere
attained their first detectives and arc
busy consolidating their newly won
positions.
Slowly, but, therefore. and moro ir-
resistibly. the allied drive at the heart
of the German line in the west IS
sweeping forward
METHODS OF BRITISH
APPEAR JUSTIFIED
The wisdom of the British in main
tanning great density of front which
is. they believe. co-eTicient Of vic
tory. would appear justified by the re-
suits achieved during the past week.
1t must be borne in mind that Il
Is due to the depth of the British
lines as much as TO any other one
factor. that. while the enemy is still
reeiinE under one blow. the allies are
ready to deliver another. ard still a
third.
ut has been characteristic of the
campaign In Flanders. hitherto, that
neither belligerent has attained what
we may call decisive success.
THE Germans have massed thar
greatest war strength along this battle
front
ATTACK ON STRONGEST POINT
is SOUND STRATEGY
10 attack them at their strongest
point of resistance is sound strategy.
The defeats inflicted upon them dur
Ing the past fortnight are conclusive
indications Of allied superiority.
I'm the light OF past experience. It
may be premature to assert that the
British have succeeded In forcing a
decision. but 1t may be stated with
emphasis that in no engagement
hitherto has such vigor, energy and
concerted speed OF attention been dis
played.
THE full success of these operations
means that the Belgian coast, with
its numerous submarine bases, will be-
come untenable to the enemy.
"zeebrugEe, ostend and the system
OF canals leading out Of Bruges are
threatened.
"The supreme test OF the battle
strength of the contending belligerents
Is taking place. Allied ascendancy
would appear decisive.
"The two immediate contributing