Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-24

( I .
veais Deterioratio in
German Fighting
/ (By the Associated Press.)
The Russians on the Riga-Dvinsk
Eont are showing recuperattve power
Ind today "a substantial Russian VIC
tory is reported in the sector Of the
Riga-Pskoff road. s & Az
Taking the offensive here, the RUS
sian forces captured the German po-
sition they attacked, retaining them
aftersa hard. struggle.
The object of the Russian command
in Initiating this attack and other not
dissimilar operations reported from
this front may very likely be the rec
stificati6n of the line east of the Dvina
at points where 1T is now weak. The
need Of strengthening it where posi-
bic is suggested gby the assumption on
the part Of some Of the Russian mill
tary critics that it is the aim of the
Germans after ablishing them
selves on this bank Of the stream, to
reduce Dvinsk sthe keynote ofSthe
Russian line on the northern front.
{I3y the Associated Press.)
= & Heavy cannonading was again in
progress last night in Flanders,
northeast Of Ypres, but the infantry
had relief from the recent hard
fighting.
impending are appearing in the Arras
region near the Scarpe, and near Lens,
which city is. still being closely pressed
by. the Canadians. Consid erable ar
tillery activity is announced from
these sectors q ss.3 as
sg The artillery on both sides is not
ably busy on the French front in the
Verdun region. i sss,ss \ IN NJ fzssfs
Russian forces on the Riga front
south OF Pskoff TIighroad yesterday
J took the offensive and after a fierce
struggle, occupied the German posi-
q tiona in the sector Of sSilzene. thesRus-3
sian war office announced today. I; I
BATTLE OF NIENIN u DAD Is
is NOW HISTORY S3 q.
British Esroft Sin France and Eek
gi,lnl, Sept -E;y the associated
Press II p llase, of. Il the sbat title OF
y Flanders that Yocenrred last Thursday,
Y and which has been characterized as
i the battle spf IN min roa d, was today
\ largely Ia matter Of history. Hard
! local fighting was still in progress at
y ID point west Of Cheluvelt, known as
Il ToW.r Hainlets, but outstanding
I the determined forts Of the Germans
to regain the ground they lost here,
they were unable to dislodge the
British troops. u I'll {,
The enemy still cling toga few de-
z sirable posts on an elevation near
Tower Hamlets, but their possession
!. in no way affected the general stu
alton. Elsewhere along the front Of
the British offensive there has been
y no change in the situation. An intense
artillery duel continued, but the enemy
has abandoned, at least temporarily,
those futile and costly counter attacks
which marked the first days fighting.
& COUNTER ATTACKS COSTLY;
LACK OLD, FIERCENESS. I.
The German military code has taken
little count Of losses in men and their
counter attacks have not only been
costly, but useless, for the British ar
tillery has in ma jority of cases torn
the advancing columns to bits and
driven the survivors back in hasty re-
4 treat. The German losses have been
Il exceedingly severe.
sduring the last few days Of the British
bomb bardment, prio 3 to the attack
were very heavy. Il 5s is33 4 ms
The battle Of Menin Road has fur
nished further evidence Of that deter
ioration in the fighting qualities which
"a has been going on in the German lines
for some time. II. must not be assumed
from this statement e that the Germans
81 are in a derlora allied state. During the
last few days they have fought with
great determination and skilfully, but
Y they are not SO good as they were.
GERMAN OFFICERS LACK "A 4
Odd CONFIDENCE.
In this connection change has
;y,f
German officers. Apparently they nc
longer have faith in their future and
have abandoned hope of success Ii
the western theateE 4, The thing they
are most interested inA now is peace.
On the other hand, the morale o1
the British troops has never been al
Il so high a pitch. The men are tmbueG
themselves stronger than their adver.
Earies and they are filed with the
determina ton to see the affair through
4 to the finish. II + i M
The arrival iof the American troop,
in France has done much to make
even stronger this confidence.
1T is reported that the British bat
talions that captured Shrewsbur,
forest and Bulgar wood in Thursday
4 drive. experienced Ia new kind of Ger
\ man fright filness. They are said Il
u have been fired on with flaming bull
81 lets 4 which set the mems clotfinf
& afire and several wounded men had tt
be rolled IN the mud to extinguish th'
II fsarless n #as. y VI ss .s3 n VI
ITALIANS Make
4. MORE PROGRESS. 81, ii ss
= Rome, Sept. "A General Cadorna'.
forces made progress last night 81
several points on the Julian battle
front In the Bainsizza plateau, thu