The evening leader., 1917-08-04

cpScldl dispatches lfOiu tiiC lIOue III
the, Berlin newspapers agree in de-
scribing the battle in Flanders as a.
struggle for the submarine bases in
Belgium, as well as in characterizing
it as the most stupendous combat Of
the war.
The British advance in the .Wyt-
schaete sector on June is comment
ed upon by correspondents as part of
the strategic scheme to gain the u
boat bases, and to permit them to pro-
ceed from the Ypres battle-ground in
a northeasterly direction and strike ct
Zeebrugge from the rear.
ssThe great nsutal force Of the initial
blow has been parried," writes the
Tageblatt correspondent regarding the
Flanders battle. We survived the
grewsome tension occasioned by the
uncanny artillery fire and we are able
again to hold our heads high. as the
battle of living men is resumed. The
struggle now has reached the phase.
of human effort after unseen rnechani-
cal death has been knocking at the
door day and night for weeks. The
German fighting spirit, fully awaken
ed, discloses how heroes flung them
selves from the islands of defense in
the conquered district against the adj
vancing masses and seriously weaken
ed the fianks Of the oncoming troops.
Millions of shells have been spent and
now comes the test of strength and
nerves.
Holds That Attempt Has Failed.
ssThe main fighting spirit which i'm
PEELED the German fighting man on
was the strong realization hat he was
here called upon to defend the German
U-boat-to serve the mig tiast, most
promising weapon Of his country, and
bar the path to it with his life. The
German troops counter attacked in
frightful bayoiset and hard grenade
con,ls It was III 6 4 isss1tiiest cour-
ter thrs =, following the mightiest inn
pact which the world has ever seen.
"NightfalI witnessed the happy Ger
man achievement The fee had won
German trenches. and gained control
of Bixschote and had carried off pris-
oners, but he lav bleeding ct the foot
of the wall he desired to scale"
British Headquarters in France and
BELGIUM, Aug. 3.-Gernlan officers
captured in the battle Of Flanders
have discussed quite freely both the
military and political situation as it
affects the fatherland. Germany's loss
in manpower they admit to be serious
The interesting information has been
volunteered by these prisoners that
the entire class f~1918 recruits now
is in the field in its entirety, and what
is more significant, it is said, small
elements of the 1919 class were on the
battlefront.
The whole trend Of the statements
made by these captive officers is that
they are beginning to fear they may
lose the war. More depressing than
ANYTHING else is the fear that there
NAV be another winter campaign.
Peace without annexation or indem-
nity IS endorsed by all the officers who
have discussed the question, but most
), Of them have indicated that they favor
the annexation of eastern Belgium
and a part of the coast OF Flanders,
if such a thing possibly could be done.
The men are highly intelligent. An
bfficer who has made a study OF econ
omic matters said the war already
was costing the fatherland 10,0O0,OOo,-
600 marks annually in interest charg-
es. He appeared to be deeply impress
ed by the gravity of the situation.
Almost without exception the Ger
man officers still maintain that Ger
many is innocent of causing the war
and say there is "all manner OF docu-
mentarv evidence to prove it"
Discussing the present battle the
German officers say that the British
gas shell bombardment on the Two
nights preceding the opening OF tne
infantry charge was most efectlVe'
and that the Germans suffered heav-
;lv The Guard F'usillirs were heavily
passed Sunday and Monday night
Sunday night they were still IN their
positions, but the following night, pre-
ceding the battle, they were N the
process Of carrying out relief move
Y ,nent. The men wore gas helmets put "
the gas clouds from the British pene-
trated the helmets and large NUMBERS
of the troops were overcome.
A German division which was being
held in support on the back line cross
ing the Ypres-M -Menin road also sui
fered severely. So disastrous was the
effect Of the gas at this point that at