The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-02-22
HEAVY FIGHTING
IN MESOPOTAMIA
British Take Turk Trenches,
Then Abandon Them.
ARTILLERY ACTIVE IN WEST


London Found to Dc unpref'tabIs
and 10 Abandonsd-rsutons In A.
ssos Surprised In Attssk.
London. Feb. 20.-The western front
fighting has subsidized into trench raids
and artillery duels after the success
full advance made by the British on
the Ancre river sector and the various
war statements fail to show any inH
fantry activity Of note The most vio<
lent nghting took place In Mesopota-
mia, where the British troops on the
Tigris river launched Q new offensive
against the Turks.
The offensive was directed against
positions at Sannalyat, the British
statement reports. and resulted in the
occupation Of two Turkish front lines
on q frontage of $50 TO $40 yards re-
spectively. The Turks launched two
heavy counter attacks and forced back
the British right wing to its original
line. The British left wing repulsed
a counter attack. but when night came
the troops were withdrawn from their
newly won positions.
On the French front artillery &C
tivity was brisk in the sector of the
Avocourt. Cote du Piovre and Bsson-
vaux. In Alsace q surprise attack on
the German trenches at Baronkepf re-
suited In the capture OF . few pris-
oners
Bad weather has interferred with
operations In the Roumanian and
Macedonian theaters Of war.
The Zeppelin campaign against
London has been found to be unpront-
able. The cessation Of German air
attacks on the British metropolis aft
or the latest appearances OF big diris-
iblss over the city last fall has been
due. not to fortuitous circumstances,
but to the deliberate determination Of
the German leaders to abandon these
attacks. A. has long been done In the
case OF Paris
Air raids against England. q CORE
spondent was told. would not be aban-
doned entirely. They were considered
to be Of great service In holding at
home guns. airplanes and men of the
British aerial defense which otherwise
would be freed for service in France.
but in future the attacks would be
directed against the provinces instead
OF London.
The predominant reason for the
decision to discontinue attacks on
London probably is the increasing
strength and efficiency OF the air de.
lenses OF the city. but the effect Of the
raids on neutral opinion. In view Of
the then contemplated peace over
lures. may also have been q factor.
II may be interesting In this con-
nection to record q bit Of unwritten
history OF the war. In the early days
OF the conflict. when the air raids
were Just beginning. President Wilson
caused to be conveyed to Emperor
william and the German government
personal and unonicial message
which set forth that airship and air
plane raids upon populous cities were
looked on with disfavor by the Amer
lean people. and contributed largely
to stirring up alderman feeling In
the United States. In view OF this
the wisdom of their discontinuance
was suggested.
The message did not fall entirely
on deaf ears. but the views Of the mil
itary party prevailed and the air at
tacks. then the only German means oil
bringing home the realities Of war to
the people within the British Isles.
continued. Later they ceased for Q
time, to the displeasure Of an element
which openly accused Chancellor Won
Bsthmann. Hollwsg Of sheathing his
weapon In Difference to neutral opin-
ion. The raids were resumed with ths>
object Of tying up within the islands
and eliminating from the somme OF.
fensive a. large q number OF anti
airship guns, airplanss. searchlishts
and mon to equip them 40 possible.