Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-30


officiaI review Of last weeks opera
tons on all fronts. which concludes
with the brief statement that certain
units Of the american forces in
France have taken their places on the
battlefront to complete their training.
This IL the war Departments first
mention of the fact that General Per-
shing's men are on the firing line.
Significant Operations
II is the wave Of activity during the
week on nearly every front, however.
that caught the secretary's attention.
Significant operations are in progress,
lie says. both east and west.
On the western front. he says, a new
strategic retreat Of the German forces
IS TO he expected. and they must
move back under critical circun-
stances, under two wedges be-
ing driven relentlessly into their line
by the British and French.
Italy is passing through a difficult
moment. Mr.. Baker says. The Austro-
German drive is being pressed for
ward by imposing forces. But once
before Italy stemmed the tide of an
Austrian rush, under less favorable
conditions for the defenders. he points
out, and hurled the enemy back with
only 4 taste of victory during the first
days Of his terrific onslaught Winter
is now coming to the aid of the Ital-
ians.
The secretary's review follows:
Renewed activity prevails in all
theatres of war
Important developments would ap-
| pear TO be impending
Along the western, eastern and
Italian fronts. in Macedonia, Ruma-
mia. Mesopotamia and even in East
| Africa, significant operations are in
progress.
Relentless British Offensive
The two outstanding features Of
the situation OF the week are the re-
| lentless British offensive in the Ypres
salient, resulting In substantial gains
of terrain Of important strategic val
ne and the sudden well aimed and suS-
tanned thrust of the French north of
the Aisne
/ 1T is evident that the Allied drives
along the western front are broaden
ing in scope and in intensity. The
whole front from the Houtholst wood
through the Passchendaele ridge
southwark to Lens and on the Aisne
is becoming the scene Of increasingly
heavy Allied pressure. which the enc
my is withstanding with difficulty
| Side by side the French and Brit
| ish are pushing on through the low
lands towards Roulers.
! The enemy, believing he might find
rift in the otherwise impregnable AL
| lied line at the point of junction be-
| tween the Franco British forces, made
repeated heavy counter attacks in this
segment These were repulsed.
"While the British attacks during
| the past week have been carried out
with imposing effects, ii is appar-
ent that the British command is ma
neuvering in order TO gain important
| tactical advantages at a minimum
cost.
THE casualties to the enemy are ris-
| ing steadily.
Slowly the Allies are erilarsing
| their gains in Flanders, driving into
the heart of German resistance in the
| west.
Germans Fight stubbornIy
"The German armies fight stubborn
~. II any further evidence of Allied
| superiority be needed, it seems to be
supplied by the decisive successes won
by the French during the week
This offensive was launched on a
six mile front near the west end of
the Chernin Des Danes at dawn on Oc-
| tober %.
! General Petain 90 we'll masked his
preparations that the enemy was TAX
en- by surprise as to the exact terrain
| chosen for the attack and was over
whelmed before being able to organize
concentrated resistance.
| THE German lines were penetrated
70 depth we'll over two miles at one
point.
This first attack was Immediately
followed by a second assault in this
same sector. crowned with full sue
cess.
"1n three days fighting the French
have taken 1900 prisoners 120 guns
OF large calibre and a great quantity
OF other booty not vet enumerated
The possession OF the captured fort Of
Malrnaison. the key to the entire ridge
and the villages beyond, now makes It
! possible to the French to enflade the Ger
man positions along the Chemis des
Danes, as well as to fire directly through
the valley towards the fortress OF Laon.
/ General Petain showed himself a mas
ter of strategy in being able to attain
so decisive victory in so brief a period.
I Apparently the time has come for an
other strategic retreat OF the enemy. It
means that the Germans must again re-
tire to a new en.renched and carefully
prepared line IL they intend TO resist fur
ther in the west.
| 1T must be admitted that the Ger
mans retreat executed as a esult of
the battles Of the Somme last year was
carried through with consummate skill.
4 The army retired. destroying all cover
and taking up positions Of marked teeth
cal and strategical strength.
The battle OF the Somme had but one
wedge; today we have the wedge OF Elan
ders and that Of the Asne is being out
! lined.
The bad weather continues to be the
enemys best protection. He Is relying on
this factor to impede the Allied advance
TO give him a respite until he can pre-
pare himself to meet a fresh onslaught.
News from the Italian front proves
that the Austrians were able to bring suf-
fcient pressure to bear in Berlin in order
to secure German assistance.
| AS the result OF the concentration OF