The Washington times., 1917-10-29

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entire ridge, and the viiIaKe beyond.
now makes II possible forythe French
| 70 enfilade the German positions
along the Chemin des Danes. a. well
! as to IRE directly through the valley
! toward the fortress OF Laon.
General Petain showed himself a
past master OF strategy In being able
to attain so decisive q victory in 80
brief n period.
The time has apparently come for
another strategic retreat of the
enemy. 1t means that the Germans
must again retire to 4 new en-
trench and carefully prepared line IL
they intend to resist further In the
west.
Retreated with sam.
''It must be admitted that the Ger
man retreat executed as a result Of
the battles of the Somme last year
was carried through with consummate
skill. The enemy retired, destroying
all cover and taking up positions Of
marked tactical and strategic
strength
But the battle OF the Somms had
but one wedge. Today we have the \
wedge OF Flanders. and that of the |
Aisne Is being outlined.
The bad weather continues to be |
the enemy's best protection He IL
relying upon this factor to impede |
the allied advance, and with the
battle area shrouded in slush, rain |
and fog. IT gives him a respite until
he can prepare himself TO meet q
fresh onslaught
News from the italian front proves /
that the Austrians were able to bring
sufncient pressure to bear in Berlin
IN order to secure German assistance.
AS the result OF the concentration
OF an imposing array OF artillery and
massed battalions. the Austro-Ger-
man forces have succeeded in pene-
trating the recently won Italian posi-
tions in the Tolmino sector.
Terrain Difficult to Hold. II
The broken, steep. mountainous
character OF the terrain makes Il
difficult to hold entrenchments when
once certain strategic obJectIves have
been attained. These the Austrians
have apparently captured in this sec
tor, which may result in the abandon.
ment by the Italians OF the Bainsizza
Plateau. which they won after SO va
liant a struggle only q few weeks
ago.
ITALY is passing through a diff
cult moment.
I'VE must remember. however, that
In May. 1915, the Austrians attempted
similar onslaught. Then they had
hne weather, a well-chosen terrain,
and above all. the far superior fight
Ing vlgor of their armies to RELY
upon. At that time the Austrians
won decided successes during the in
itial days OF the fighting. and press
ed on to the edge OF the Italian plain. 1
only to be stopped and driven back.
In the east, German naval opera
tions In the vicinity OF the InIands
at the mouth OF the Finnish gulf
were not carried through, with serI-
ous losses both In mon and material.
Russ Resistance TIEhtenA
The Russian resistance apparently
10 consolidating.
"The Germans, using the islands as
a base. have now gained a foothold
On the adjacent mainland.
The nrst landing on the werder
peninsula at the northern end Of the
iulf OF Riga was successfully carried
put. A further attempt at another
point failed.
mans will undertake, for the time be-
ng. more than a strengthening of
he positions now held In the Riga
rector.
The retirement of the advanced
'nemy lines to a depth OF fifteen
niles in the region OF the Dwina 10
eported.
engagements OF some magnitude
ire noted along the Roumanian and
fronts, where artillery
iuels and raids are increasing in fire.
luency. These, however, are not OF
more than local importance.
Push On In Mssopotan,Ia.
"In Mesopotamia, the British are
and consolidating their
Idvance. driving enemy detachmentH
tut OF important tactical points on
he tanks, thus strengthening their
Whole line OF defense.
"Rumors of an important move by
he Turks, REINFORCED by certain
licked German and Austrian units
Inder the command of General Falk-
nhayn, which have repeatedly been
eported throughout the Near East,
ave as yet failed to materialize.
"The training of our troops in
rance progresses steadily and favor
bly,. Certain units have taken their
lacss in the front-lins trenches un-
or actual battle conditions" "