The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-03
MOVE THEIR BASE
Germans Shifting U-Boat Ports
Out of Belgium.
Allied Drive Forces Huns To
Retreat to the East.
CLEAN OUT FRANCE, ALSO
Two Countries To Be Free OF
BOches This Winter.
Military Men at Washington in
a Jubilant Mood.
BY CARL d. GROAT.

d SkAIhL IL. L.
Washington, Oct. 3.-Winter will
find Belgium and northern France out
of the grasp of the Teuton.
Military authorities made this pre-
diction today as the first of the great
German break-the retreat eastward
from the La Bassee canal region
became an actually.
Hammering by untiring legions, in
Guiding vast reserves, the German re-
tirement is likely to be extensive, prob
ably as far east as Antwerp. Already
the enemy is shifting his U-boat bases
out of Belgium and is preparing to
save what he can in the country ruth
lessly trampled in 1914.
The objective of the American-al-
lied forces since the Marine turning
point battle has been the wrecking of
the German army. Today there is a
chance that an attainment of that OBJ
ject will come far sooner than has
been anticipated. In any case the re-
treat in prospect contains many ele-
ments of extreme danger to the boche.
He has been fighting hard to escape a
ruinous retreat, and it is not at all
certain that he will be able to extricate
himself without a disaster to his
forces.
Army Men Are Jubilant.
Army men are plainly jubilant over
the present situation and the future
outlook
The surest signs of the times is held
to be the state department advices
showing preparations for relaxing the
grip on Belgium.
The boche is gathering up his ma
terial and shifting his naval base
staffs. He is also moving his U-boat
basis eastward.
Authorities warned that the Hun
may have the temerity to label this
movement voluntary and use it as
sign of sincerity in further peace
maneuvers. But the plain truth of the
situation is that he is being forced out
of Belgium and France by the series
of battles raging from the sea to YER
dun. Everywhere the British, French
and Americans are hacking at the
claws which have held tenaciously to
key points in France and Belgium
NOW the weight of the allied pressure
due to big American reinforcements
is such that the boche cannot cling
much longer.
Warn Against Overconfidence.
Both American and foreign officials
mere are unanimous, however, in
warning against overconfidence at this
tlme. While they foresee vast possi-
plntles In the next few months, thew
suggest that any let down now would
De fatal. To this end they are urging
oVersubscription of the liberty loan
and speeding up of production.
Ihey note that in forty-eight hours.
the allied troops in Belgium have made
lwlce the gains that took four months
IN the early part of the war.
Germany is not expected to throw
up her hands before making a desper-
ate try at peace thru diplomatic ma
neuVers Her silence while Austria
Bulgaria and Turkey are trying for
peace is considered significant. The
Ieuton, it is believed, is carefully
allied expressions as to war
aims and peace demands.
Germany is preparing to step in at
ne psychological moment with peace
proposal on which she will stake her
chances. If it fails she will have to
throw up her hands
Changes in the imperial ministry
are impending reports here indicate.
Ihese Will prepare the way for a peace
proposal, diplomats believe.