Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-04-27

-
In this connection a significant statement has just
been made by General Radcliffe, chief director Of mih-
|tay operations st the British war once. General Rad
elite is quoted ~ saying: In the end IL will be q ques-
ton OF who has the last reserves Those reserves on
the western front are now in the hands Of General Foch,
in whom both armies have the fullest confidenee. He,
80 far has employed but 4 small portion Of his available
reserves. We have been told Of the arrival Of reserves.
At various points along the line. Apparently General
T'och has sent endorsements to points where the need
for them appeared to be imperative. but there are still
available many battaiions to be used later in workin.
out the full purposes Of the allies.
Interest was momentarily switched from the land
to the sea by the accounts Of the expedition sent against
the German submarine bases At the Belgian port. Of
osfend and zeebrusse. The expedition was sent out
for the purpose of sinking old boats across the entrances
to the channels used by the submarines in going to sea
and returning for renttns.ss In. this it appears that a
very substantial nfeasure. Of success was attained at Zee
brusse, where the channel was blocked in such = man
ner rs to interfere very materially with its use, although
there still appears q gap through rh,ch submarines can
find their way. AT Ostepd the boats which were later
sunk are reported to have got of their course in the fog,
and presumably the channel there was not effectively
blocked. M
The operation at Zeebrugse was one of the most
picturesque in the annals Of warfare. While the main
purpose OF the expedition was being carried out, sup
porting forces were engaged in distracting the attention
of the enemy by landing, men and carrying on a work
Of destruction. The harbor is protected from the open
sea by a mole" or breakwater, about 1 1.e miles long
and some so yards wide. which sweeps out from the
land in a sort of semicircle and almost encloses the har.
Dor At the sea end Of the mole is a lighthouse. Ap.
preaching to within a short distance Of the mole in the
darkness the cruiser Vindictive was picked up by the
Ilshthouse, and was then flooded with light and showered
with shell while she rounded the lighthouse, swung into
place inside. and ranged alongside the mole. Being
unable to find anything to which to make fast she drop
ped anchor and was held against the mole by the de-
stroyer Dafodil, which nosed against her on the further
side. Held thus, her men ran out gang planks from, the
false superstructure which had been built to bring the
gang planks on a level with the causeway. Two of these
planks were shot away, but a third remained intact and
across that 500 men, bluejackets and marines, among
them = number Of Americans. swarrned to rush upon
the astounded Germans The fightins was sharp and
vigorous. and the landing party lost several men. They
succeeded, however, in all that they attempted, and for
a full hour, while the concrete laden ships were being
maneuvred into position, they drove back Germans,
blew up guns. exploded stores Of ammunition, and ac-
tually blew a sap in the mole itself. @M. ~ .
~ as S q -. as = - - +. %&
The story Of the dash Of that landing Is a thrilling
one. But 1T is not less thrilling to think Of the two ships
lying in position for an hour, the vindictive held IN po.
sition by the Danodil, and both remaining immovable in
order to be ready to receive the boarders when they
returned from their raid. One can imagine how the
men who landed-al of whom were volunteers-woulo
be spurred on by the excitement Of action. But it must
have required a superlatve degree Of resolution to re-
main inactive under the rain of shell, merely holding
two ships in place, and waiting. One is reminded Of the
famous achievement Of Jim Bludsoe. who held her
nozzle against the bank until the last galoot was ashore
%.@.e + . .
The week in congress has been marked by debate
on war with Turkey and Bulgaria, the espionage bill, and
the bill authorizing the president to combine or other
wise change government departments. The proposal
for war with Turkey and Bulgaria has been dropped be-
cause OF the-president's declared opposition to such ac:
ton. The clause in the espionage bill providing for trial
by courtnnartial for sedition will go the same road also,
because Of the presidents opposition. Mr.. Wilson has
declared himself unalterably opposed to the suspension
of civil process in the trial Of persons charged with Of
lenses against the government. The overman bill en-.
larging the powers Of the president is likely to be de-
bated for some time yet.
There has been much speculation as to the probable
successor to the late Senator Stone, Of Missouri. Prob
ably no one was surprised when the position was ten
dered by the governor of the state to Speaker Champ
Clarke, nor was there much surprise when. the announce
ment was made that Mr.. Clarke had declined the post>
ton. 1t was thought scarcely probable that he would
abandon the speakership of the house even for such a
desirable position as that Of United States senator.
A N0TARLE CONVENTION