Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-10-23
IN FLANDERS.
BITTER STRUGGLE
Potency of Material and
Men Enables Entente
to Triumph Over
Weather.
SAMMIES ABOUT READY
Secretary Baker Drops 9
Hint Americans May
Take Hand Soon.
ABOUT READY

WASHINGTON. oct. 22.-Military
experts here do not expect winter to
halt the great allied drive against the
Germans in Flanders. Secretary
Bakers weekly review OF war opera
tions issued tonight discloses the be-
lief of the war department that po-
tency of material and men will enable
the British and French commanders
to triumph over natural obstacles an0
continue forcing the enemy backward
without waiting for spring.
The review touched for the first
time upon the American expeditlonary
forces In France. declaring the men
after three months intensive training
are in efficient fighting trim and
splendid physical condition.
In dwelling upon the Importance o.
the battle OF Flanders and It's effecl
upon the morale of the Germans. the
war secretary declares IL apparent
that the German high command
planned the recent expedition against
the Russians in the Riga sector In
order to bolster up morale and meet
impending internal difficulties. BY ex-
tending her lines in the east, he adds.
Germany 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 20 follows
Americans Ready.
Our men In France after three
months intensive training are Ia
splendid physical condition and eff
clent fighting trim They have rendi-
ly become acclimated and now feel n
home In the war zone.
"Our troops have met with the mos'
warm hearted and enthusiastic re-
ccption on the part of the armies AMI
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 already prevails along
the western front, wintry conditions
will soon set in and the terrain viii
become increasingly difficult for at
tGcking troops. Nevertheless. the DO
tcncy Of allied material and men, the
accumulation OF the technical means
OF combat and the preparations which
hcVo been going on for many months
Will make II possible FOR the British
aud French commanders TO triumph
over natural obstacles and with few
short Intervals W may expect the Of
tonsiVe to press forward.
at Is not Anticipated that the allies
will go into winter quarters this year.
German Morale Needs Stimulant
The fun Importance of the battle
In Flanders IL leginning to be re-
vealed. 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
people We must consider briefly the
German attacks in tho Riga sector.
including the ca pturc of Oesel, Dago
and other minor islands OF the Finnish
gulf.
while no attempt should be made
to belittie the importance OF the po-
sitions gained by The enemy we can
not fail to record that IL Is apparent
that the Germans undertook this eS
peditiOn with n view To holstering un
the morale Of tho country. more par.
ticularly I'm order to be able to NEE;
the impending internal difflcultiei
which threaten To eliminate i'm re.
newed cabinet rrlsis i'm the near fu.
ture
"rhe German higher command has
iective in order u be able to record "a
success which should be of political
rather than military value. The ISL
hnds 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 force be undertaken at
so crucial moment
az the enemy had any confidence
in being able To stem successfully the
tide Of the allied advance in the west
he would throw every ounce Of his
, strength into the balance In Flanders,
and il possible by crushing the allied
arm'es bring about peace with victory
which the German has often stated A.
his. objective
Germany by extending her lif~s N,
! the east has merely added to the
! length of her line of communications
! Thus the events In Russia today
! should cause us to have Increased con-
tdcnce IN final allied victory.
ut is evident that the terrible pun
shment by allied artillery fire is be
! ginning to have q very decided effect
aloag the western front. Never be-
! fore in any series of engagements have
| so many German divisions after briei
J encounters been Withdrawn and re-
| German ranks taken into the allied
! lines have become Increasingly mum.
|, eruus.'
1 Corunu dirDIOnp .Spcrpfs