Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-10-17
HINDENBURG LINE
NOW NELTS UNDER
TYPHOON OF FIRE
Sooner erLater, Baker Says,
Germans Will Fall Back
in Flanders
now IN DANCER OF
\ allied FLANKING TURN
BY CARL D. GROAT


WASHINGTON, Oct. i7.-with a verl-
table typhoon Of fire. the Allies arc
driving a wedge into the German line
in Flanders. Sooner or later this wedge
may split the Teuton line and permit
Of a flanklng move. instead Of the un-
ceasing frontal attacks. which up TO
recent date have meant only throwing
men into the maelstrom Of slaughter
without real tactical advantage. This
significant fact developed today in Sec
retary Of War Bakers weekly war
summary.
THE typhoon flre" turned on the
German is causing him real concern;
I'm fact. such deep worry that no has
been forced TO amend his tactical dis
position In an effort 90 check the
shock Of she'll raned upon his lines.
The front has been so extended with
the French hiding that the Flanders
fighting is practically revolutionary.
1T Is no longer 10 be considered a
salient" says the summary, but an
ever extending wedge progressively
driven into the German lines" From
a military standpoint, this IS one Of
the most significant developments Of
the war; inasmuch as IL marks a de-
parturo from the out-and-out frontal
attack which tacticlans have said Is lit
tle more than continuous murder.
With this wedge driven through the
whole west front fighting would take
on-a changed character, with a chance
for strategy instead Of shells and men
as the predominant and determinant
factor The French are highly praised
for their part along with the British.
Tho secrctary's statement says I'm
part:
French participation IN the opera
tlons I'm Flanders is the outstanding
feature OF events during the past
week.
THE successes attained by the
French forces operating north OF the
British sector, more particularly In Che
nelghborhood Of lloulst Wood. has
given the allied advance IN Flanders
the needed elbow room.
THE zone OF the operations in the
Ipres salient, formerly too narrow for
the proper disposition Of large masses
Of troops, has now. by the French CO.
operation and their recent successful
advance. so extended the line, that
fighting in what was the Ypres salient
has changed In character. 10 IS no
longer TO be considered a salient but
an ever extending wedge progressively
driven into the German lines.
"The operations Of the French during
ihe past week are in fact complement
tary TO the engagements which result
etl in the capture Of Messines by the
British last June.
During the engagements OF the week,
the French everywhere maintained the
positions won I'm the face OF repeated
Onslaughts.
Along the northern sector Of the
eastern front, artillery duels are re-
ported.
In the vicinity Of Riga the enemy
after an intensive bombardment OF the
Russian lines south OF Pskoff road, sue
cceded in temporarily pressing back
Russian advance detachments.
"The growing intensity Of artillery
fre in the neighborhood OF Jacobstadi
would seem to indicate that the Ger
mans are contemplating an action OF
some magnitude across the Dwlna.
Along the Rumanian front the enemy
attacked In force and gained a loot
CONTINUED on Page Two)