The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-03
THE War SITUATION.
BAKER'S REVIEW OF WEEK
FORECASTS FUTURE.
Secretary OF War Secs Significant OPP
crations I'm Both East and West.

great war. Secretary Baker indicates
In his official review OF last week s
operations on all fronts. which con-
cfudcs with the brief statement that
certain units OF the American forces
in France have taken their places on
the battle front to complete their
training. This is the war depart
ment's first mention OF the fact that
Gen. Pershing's men are on the firing
line.
IL is the wave OF activity during tho
week ON nearly every front, however.
that caught the secretary's attention.
Significant operations are in progress.
he says. both East and West. on the.
Italian fronts. I'm Macedonia, Sou-
mania. Mesopotamia aud even IN
East Africa. On the Western front,
no adds n new strategic retreat o.: the
German forces appear to 10 the next
move expected. and they must move
back under critica, 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 a difficult
moment. Mr.. Baker says. The Austro-
German drive is being pressed for
ward by imposing forces. but once be-
fore Italy stemmed the tide Of an
Austrian rush under less favo rable
conditions for the defenders. ho
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
the Italians.
The secretary's revew follows: RE
newed activity prevails In all theatres
OF war.
Important developments would ap-
pear to be impending.
Along the Western. Eastern. and
Italian fronts. In Macedonia. Rormon-
In. Mesopotamia and even In East
Africa. significant operations are in
progress
Tho two outstanding features Of
the situation Of the week are the re-
lentlsss British offensive In the Ypres
salient. resulting I'm substantial gains
: OF terrain OF important strategic val
uc. and the sudden we'll aimed and
sustained thrust of the French north
OF the Aisne. 1t Is evident that tho
allied drives along the Western front
ara broadening In scope and intensity
The whole front. from the Houtholst
- wood. through tho Passche ndaele
rids2 southwark to Lens. and on the
Aisne.. is- becoming the scene of in
creasingly heavy allied pressure.
which the enemy is withstanding with
difficuity.
side by side the French AMI Brit
ish are pushing on through the Flem-
ish lowiands toward Roulers.
The enemy. believing he might
find rift In the otherwise impreg-
nable allied line at the point OF juno
tion between the Franco British forces.
directed repeated heavy counterat-
tacks In this segment. These were
repulsed.
While the British attacks during
the past week have been carried out
with imposing electives. 1t Is appar-
ent that the British command is
maneuvering In order to gain i'm
portant tactical advantages at a min
imum cost.
The casualties to the enemy are
rising steadily.
SLOWLY the allies are enlerging
their gains I'm Flanders. driving into
the heart OF German resistance in
the West.
The German armies fight on stub
bornly. IL any further evidence of
allied supremacy be needed. IL seems
TO be supplied by the decisive success
co won by the French during the
past week.
This offensive was launched on n
six mile front near tho ives, end OF
the Chemin des Danes at dawn on Oc-
tober 30.
General Petain SO well 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 rganize
n concentrated resistance.
The German lines were penetrated
20 depth OF well over two miles AT
one point.
rhis nrst attack was Immediately
followed by second assault I'm this