The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-03
DREXEL BOMBARDS
U-BOAT BASE AT BRUCESI
AND RETURNS SAFE
Russian Army Continues to-
Retreat and kornilof Sue
ceeds Brusilof in Chief Conn
mand-Russian Women IL
Large Numbers Enlist

London. Aug. 2.-on the battle nov
In progress in Flanders depends pos
sible peace. This was the impressioa
which gained ground tonight as from
all quarters came reports OF important
developments which make the new all.
lied drive stand out as the most vital
of the war.
Their first detectives attained on thl
greater part of the front. the Brttish
and French are now awaiting tbs
clearing of the skies before launch.
ing another blow.
The Germans are mobilizing to meet
that blow. A great war council, pre-.
sided over by the kaiser and attended
by Field Marshal Won Hindenbur
Quartermaster- General Won Ludendor1.
the German crown prince. Crown
Prince Rupprecht. Of Bavaria. cons
mander OF the German armies on tho
Flanders front; vice-Admiral Won CA~
pelle, head OF the German admiralty
and director of the U-boats. and
Grand Duke Albrecht of Wurttembsr0s
In addition to others In high command,
10 being held at Brussels behind the
German front.
The tremendous Importance 49,.
tached to the battle by the Germans 3
is attested by this hurriedly caiis1
conference OF the high command. MsaMeM
while the British and French Leaders
are planning the next stroka.
Battle to be Decisive.
The battle VIII be decisive. That n
agreed upon in all the capitals Of
Europe 1t will result either In thu
heaviest possible blow to the German
submarine warfare by the wiping out
of the U-boat bases on the Belgian
L.
Il land blow of tremendous proportions
as weil--or 1T VIII confirm the stAiNs
mate on the western front and leave
the way open to no other settlements
OF the war than by negotiation.
The peace talk now being heard IN
several capitals. notably Vienna, must
wait. it Is believed here. on the decision
in Flanders Then. whatever result
is attained. the time will be ripe for
peace.
This will be the case. It Is believed.
even should the allies carry through
their Flanders drive to the most sue
cessful Of conclusions. For should
such come to pass II will mark the
virtual defeat of Germany 1t win
demonstrate that she Is losing grips
and taken in conjunction with the Inc
ternal developments which would fol-.
low q defeat of her armies. she wou36
be plainly beaten for all the world n
see. III
Have vital Advantages.
The allies go into the battle WITH
two vital advantages. as has basn%
demonstrated from the nghting 50 FAR
They have complete control Of thu
air
They have preponderance Of artilsz
llerv.
1t Is to meet these advantages anl.
IL possible Offset them. that the DER
man war council tonight il pushing
its brains, according to Holland dis-
patches based on information nltsrtAo
over the frontier.
In addition to these the allies rstsan
another vital grip which Germany cans
not loosen and which IL slowly stran1-
ling her-the control of the sea-
Germany can send out her suomas
rines. she can send out her fast rald~a
ling sauadrons. but her high seas deet
is rusting at It's docks and she csns
not HIT the economic pressure ana
hunger blockade which are tising h9R
arms and choking her throat.
Complete sea Control.
The British navy has more compteeeA
control Of the seas than the 0ermA4A4
have on land. Admiral Sir John Jsllts,s
coe. first sea lord. pointed out today
in discussing the sea-strangling 81
Germany. 8N
The Flanders action will be resunSAA
on the wide scale Of the hrst day -
mediatelv the weather clears. accosAe
ing to every indication In tcnight's resS
ports from the front. Meanwhile. d.
spite the rain and mist. which blinA1
the artillery and to large exteAss
hampers tho air corps. heavy hghtin98
is going on In spots.
Sir Douglas HaiE. by violent ccunfe0sas
attacks, has regained the ground L.
to the Germans yesterday near e.
Ypres- Roulers railway. while Germay
attacks At other points OF the fr044Sa
have been repulsed with great iosoea
to the enemy. S
The Germans are attacking with e92ss
pecially large numbers IN an EFFORT IN
drive the British from the impore1M N
position along the Hiiken ridge. 80
all their efforts have failed. Thov4
ands of German dead Strew the st1a1Es5
mud Of the Flanders nat The - <
is almost incessant and there hAN
been but few breaks In the clouAqs
The German attacks have - 4
launched under the most unfavoral
conditions and correspondents at
front declare thsir losses are trsnne
ldous.
Ooys n Aef1on.
Two days ago whAn Sir Douo1ae
H~v0rhAA hfa Drnt hf0Wv 80 100GEIr17I