South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-23
WILL FIGHT ALL
WINTER. BAKER
Secretary of War Issues
Weekly Statement of
War Operations.

WASHINGTON. oct. %. - Mill
tary experts here DO not expect
winter 20 halt the great allied drive
against the Germans in FLANDERS
rec'y Bakers weekly review Of var
operations ISSUED Monday night dis
closes the belief of the war depart-
meut that potency Of material and
men viii enable the British and
French commanders 20 triumph
over natural obstacles and continue
forcing the enemy backward with
out waiting for spring.
The review touches for tho first
time upon the American expedition
arg forces IT. France, declaring The
men after three months intensive
-raiulLg are ID efficient tlir aud
splendid physical condition
TO Repair Morale.
In dwelling upon the importance
Of the battle Of Flanders and its
effect upon the morale OF the Ger
mans the war secretary declares il
is apparent that the German high
command planned the recent ex-
petition against the Russians in the
Riga sector In order 70 bolster I'D
morale and meet impending inter
nal difficulties BY extending her
lines in the east. he adds. Germany
has merely added 10 the length Of
her line IF communication and in
creased confidence in the final allied
victory
Official Statement
ending oct. 90, follows:
"Our men in France after three
months intensive training. are in
splendid physical condition and eff
cient lighting trim. They have read
ily become acclimated and now feel
at home in the war zone.
"our troops have met with the
most warm hearted and enthusiastic
reception ON the part OF the armies
and people Of France.
The health OF our men diversions
Is reported as excellent.
"The week just closed has been
one of relative quiet on an fronts.
bad weather already prevails
along the western front. wiutry
conditions Will soon set in and the
terraire viii become increasingly
Jii1cult for attacking troops. Never
theloss the potency Of allied ma
terial and men. the accumulation OF
the technical means Of combat. and
the preparations which have been
soing on for many months viii
make Il possible for the British and
French commanders To triumph
over natural obstacles and with
Few short intervals We may expect
The offensive 70 press forward.
ct is not anticipated that the al
les will 90 into winter quarters
this year.
Destroy German Morale.
The full importance of tho bat
tie in Flanders is beginning to be
revealed. In order 70 appreciate the
real significance OF this engaecmcut
and the effect il has had on tho
morale Of the German army AID the
German people We must consider
briefly the German attacks fiji the
Riga sector. including The capture
Il Oesel. Dago and other minor
islands OF the Finnish gulf
While no attempt should be
made to belittle the importance Of
The positions gained by the enemy.
we cannot fail 70 record that IL Is
apparent that the Germans under
took this expedition with a view 70
holstering up the morale OF the
country. more particularly In order
10 be able 20 meet the impending
internal difficulties which threaten
10 eliminate in a renewed cabinet
crisis in the near future.
Attack Weak Points.
THE German higher command
has invariably picked out a weaken
ed objective in order to be able 10
record a success which should be OF
political rather than military value.
The islands of the Finnish coast in
the hands Of the enemy in no way
offset the recent allied victories in
Flanders. Sound strategy demands
that no such diversion Of forces be
undertaken at so crucial a moment
IF the enemy had any confidence
in being able - stem successfully
the tide OF the allied advance in the
west he would throw every ounce
Flanders. and IL possible by crush
ing the allied armies, bring about
peace with victory" which the
German has often stated as his Oh
jective
Germany by extending her lines
in the east. has merely added 20 the
length OF her line OF commuuica-
tions Thus the events in Russia to-
day should cause US 20 have in
creas'ug confidence in hn8l allied
victory.
"Rumors Of an Impending Aus
frian offensive directed against Italy
have been current during tho past
week Reports of concentrations Of
Austrian and German divisions to
take part .r this attack are noted.
ANY one familiar with the situation
cam ut once determine that those
rumors are exaggerated"