The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-10-01
WASTAGE OF
TEUTON POWER
uring the engagements of the past
Continued from page ID

during the engagements or the pas
week.
THE battle of Menin road, further
more shows that the fighting stamina
of the Germans is deteriorating, not
that the enemy did not display great
skill and logged determination in his
repeated counter attacks.
During the recent operations in
this sector the British captured 4,S4S
prisoners including 12S officers.
"Along the French front, particular
" in the Aisne sector of Braye Cerny
Hurtebise, artillery duels OF intense
violence are reported.
1.-THE enemy attempted an attack up.
on the French outpost on the right
bank of the Meuse. This attack was
partially successful and certain Ger
man units gained a foothold in the
French center where violent COM
bat took place, which ended In the
French regaining the lost position.
along the whole French front Ger
man storm contingents harassed the
French line, though their attacks were
everywhere repulsed. The operations
of maximum Importance were north
of Verdun. where the enemy made use
of liquid fire in an effort to record
some distinct successes.
THE outstanding feature of the re-
cent engagement was the wastage OF
man power of the enemy.
IF we compare the combat front or
yerdun in 1916 held by twelve German
divisions, with the combat front along
the Aisne in 1917 held by fourteen d.
visions, both of practically the same
length, it is found that during the
same period of time from May to Sep
rnc
enemy engaged along the Verdun
front twenty-five new divisions last
year, along the Aisne thirty-fve new
divisions this year.
$50 great has the wastage Of enemy
forces become owing to the improved
mechanical means of the allies and
the perfection OF their methods OF
combat that the Germans are obliged
to maintain in reserve as a minimum
guarantee for the safety of their bat
tie line in the west at least forty di-
visions.
THE western front thus remains
the principal battle front Of the war.
1T Is still strongly held by the enemy
and his defensive strength, while
shaken, remains powerful.
"Eumlating their German allies,
the Austrians have made desperate
attempts to retain the lost ground
which the Italians have taken during
their offensives Of the past few
weeks.
sit is especially along the main
Bainsizza plateau that the Austrians
concentrated their efforts. Not only
were their attacks unsuccessful, but
the Italians were even able to extend
their gains as a result of further ter
rain lost by the enemy.
''The Italians have now completed
the occupation of the entire Balm
sizza plateau and are consolidating
their positions there.
along the other sectors of the
Italian front in the Trentino and the
Julian Alps the enemy made various
minor assaults which were easily re-
pulsed.
News from Russia continues
slight. Further reinforcements of the
enemy forces are reported in the
Riga sector and indications are that
the Germans contemplate extending
their gains across the Dwina-
"The German offensive was halted
after the capture OF Riga, apparent
Iy to resume the Rumanian campaign
with view to complete the conquest
of Moldavia. and if possible push on
to Bessarabia in order to seize the
rich grain and other supplies known
to be stored there.
mo reports received indicate any
unusual activity along the Rumanian
front, where the situation remained
unchanged during the week.
From Macedonia We have no news
Of Importance. The heat during the
past week has prevented much activ-
ity.
However a raid by the combined
French- and Albanian cOntingents.
the later belonging to the forces of
Essab Pasha, carried out in the
Skumbi valley, should be mentioned
The mobilization OF the national
guard in their camps is proceeding
rapidly and the formation of regular
divisions is taking place. This re-
organization is necessitated by the
condition Of the present war and re-
Quires larger regiments and certain
machine gun and Otner units not
typical heretofore Some misunder-
standing Of the reorganization has
arisen; but its purpose and military
necessity are being explained and
the division commanders are doing
their utmost to preserve the local as.
sociations and historic memories of
these state forces.
The assembling of the national
army in the cantonments has gone
on with smoothness aid success.
Equipment difficulties are not serious
and are being rapidly overcome.
The most obvious shortage is in
rifles; but an adequate supply for all
purposes will soon be at hand and no
delay in training are expected from
the shortage. All over seas force.
are, Of course. adequately supplied,