Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-30
TBy Aesociatcd Press1


operations in all frorts. which con-
cludcs with tho brief statement that
certain units Of the, American forces
in France have taken their places on
tho battle front to complete their
| training. This is the War Depart
ment's first mention of the fact that
| General Pershing's men are on tho fir
| .ng line.
! 1t is the wave of activity during
the week on nearly every front. how
ever. that caught the secrctary's at
tention. Significant operations are in
progress. he says, both east and west,
on the Italian fronts. in Macedonia.
/ Roumania. Mcsopotamid and even in
| East Africa. On the western front,
he adds. n new strategic retreat of
the German forces appears to DO the
next move expected, and they must
move back under critical circumstances
| from between the two wedges. those
OF Flanders and the Aisne. which have
been driven relentlessly into their line
by the British and the French.
Italy is passing through difficult
moment. Mr.. Baker says The Austro-
! German drive Is being pressed for
ward by imposing forces. But once
before Italy stcmmed the tide of an
conditions for the defenders, he points
out, and hurled the enemy back with
only taste OF victory during the
first days of his terrific onslaught
Winter is now coming to the aid Of
| tho Italians.
RENEWED ACTIVITY
| IN ALI. WAR THEATERS
| The secrctary's review follows:
Renewed activity prevails in all
thcaters of war.
Important developments would ap-
pear to be impending.
Along the western, eastern and ItaI-
ian fronts. in Macedonia, Roumania
Mesopo tamia and even in East Africa
significant operations are In progress
Tho two outstanding features Of
the situation OF the week are the re-
lcntlcss British offensive In tho Ypres
salient. resulting in substantial gains
OF terrain OF important strategic value.
and the sudden, well-aimed and sus
tanned thrust of the French north of
| the Aisne.
1T il evident that the allied drives
along the western front arc broadening
In scope and intensity. The whole
front. from tho Houtholst wood
through the Passchendaele ridge. south
ward to Lens, and on to the Aisne. ia
Incoming the scene Of increasingly
heavy allied pressure. which the
enemy is withstanding with difficulty.
Side by side the French and British
arc pushing on through the Flemish
lowlands towards Roulers.
The enemy, believing he might find
4 rift in the otherwise impreenable
allied line at the point of juncture be-
tween tho Franco British forces. di-
| rected repeated heavy countcrattacks
III this segment. These were repulscd.
IMPORTANT TACTICAL
ADVANTAGES SOUGHT
While the British attacks durinp.
the past week havo been carried out
with imposing electives. it is apparent
mat the British command is mancuver-
ing In order to gain important tactical
advantages at a minimum cost.
The casualties to the enemy are ris-
Ing steadily.
Slowly the allies are charging their
gains in FLANDERS, driving into the
heart OF German resistance in the west.
rhe German armies fight on stub
bornly II any further evidence OF al
lied superiority be needed. il seems TO
be supplied by the decisive successes
won by the French during the past
week
fhis offensive was launched on
siS-miie front near the west end of
the Chcmin des Danes at dawn on Oc-
tobcr 90.
General Petain so well masked his
preparations that the enemy was taken
"s surprise as to the exact terrain
CHOSEN FOR the attack, and was over
""ei'neo before being able to organize
concentrated resistance.
Tho German lines were pcnetr.tod
to a depth OF we'll over two miles M
one point.
fhis first attack was immcdio,c,v
followed by second asso,,,, - 49,.
same sector, crowned with full success
IN three days fighting the Frcnch
nave taken 1900 prisoners. 100 rups
OF large caliber. and n great ouantitv
o' other booty not yet enumerated
The possession Of the capturod fort
OF Ma!naison, the key to the ent.rc
r'"Ec' and the villages beyond. now
'""hes II possible for the French "a
"'hue the German positions alonr
e"' ,he'nin -oes-Damcs. as well ms 70
''e "irectiy through the valley 10.
"ar"s inc fortress OF I.aon.
PETAIN SHOWS HIMsEIt
PAST MASTER or sTnArr,cy
General Peta!n showed himsc,f Z,
past master Of strategy in being ahI.
~ attain so decisive n victory in %
brief period.
The time has apparently como for
another strategic retreat OF the cnemy
means that the Germans must again
| fetlre TO Il new entrcnchcd and c,ro-
iuliv prepared line, IL they intend IN
resist further in the west.
II must be admitted that tho Car
man retreat executed as n result or
The battles OF tho Somme last wear
was carried through with consummato
skill The enemy retired, dcstroving
All cover and taking up positions in
marked tactical and strategic strcncth
Fut the battle OF the Somme had
ont' one wedge. To-day we have tho
wedge of Flanders. and that of the
Aisne Is being outlined
The bad weather continues IN ho
The encmy's best protection. He is rc-
lying upon this factor TO i,npeds tho
aliicd advance. and by shroudinr the
hattie area in alush, rain and fog. civ,