The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-10-29
|tRETREAT
INVEST FRONT IS
! |.''DuE, SAYS BAKER
War Secretary Declares Big
Developments Impending,

WASHINGTON, Oct D-rympor-
tant developments are impending in the
great war, Secretary Baker indicates
IN his official review OF last week
operations op all fronts, which con
ciudes 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
II is the wave OF activity during the
week on nearly every front, however,
that caught the secretarys attention.
Significant operations are in progress,
he says, both east and west, on the ltal-
ian fronts, Macedonia, Rumania, Meso-
potamia. and even in East Africa.
On the western front, he said, new
Strategic retreat OF the German forces
appear to be the next move, and they
must move back under critical cireum-
stances from between the two wedges,
those Of Flanders and the Aisnc, which
have been driven relentlesSly into their
line by the British and the French.
Critical for Italy.
Italy is passing through a critical
moment, Mr.. Baker says. The Austro-
German drive is being pressed for
ward by imposing forces But once
before Italy stenmcd tho tide OF an Aus
trian rush under less favorable coTti-
tions for the defenders, he points out.
The secretary's review follows
Renewed activity prevails on all
theaters OF war.
Important developments would ap-
pear to be impending.
The Big Features.
~The two outstanding features OF the |
situation OF Che week arc the relentless
British offensive in the ipres salient, |
resulting in substantial gains OF terrain |
OF important strategic value, and the !
sudden we'll aimed and sustained |
thrust OF the French north OF the Alsne.
1T is evident that the allied drives
along the western front are broaden
ing In scope and intensity The whole
front from the Houihost wood through
the Passchendaele ridge southwark to
Lens and on to the Aisne is becoming
the scene OF increasingly heavy allied
pressure which the enemy is withstand
ing with difficulty.
!. sSide by side the French and British
are pushing on through the Flemish
iowlsnds toward Raulers
German Casualties Large.
The casualties to the enemy are riS-
ing steadily. o
4 THE Germans iigh, on stubbornly !
II any further evidence Of the 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-miie front near the west end OF the
!, Chemin de' Danes at dawn ,pn oc-
tober 20.
General Petain so we'll masked his
preparations that the epemy was taken
BY surprise and was overwhelmed be-
fore being able 10 organize conenn-
trsfed resistance.
Two-Mile Penetration.
The German lines were penetrated
to depth Of we'll over two miles at
one point.
This first attack was Immediately
followed by second assault in this
same sector, crowned with full success
"ln three days fighting the French
have taken 1900 prisoners, l20 guns
Of large caliber and grea, quantity
Of other, booty not yet enumerated.
"The condition OF the fortified fort oi
Maimaison the key to the entire ridge
and the villages beyond, now makes i.
possible for the French Ia eniilade the
Z German positions along the Chemin dies
Danes As we'll as to fire directly
through the valley toward the fortress
OF Laon.
Another Retreat Due.
The time has apparently come for
another strategic retreat OF the enemy.
II means that the Germans must again
retire to new entrenches and carefully
prepared line il they intend to resist
further in the west
Germany Comes to Aid.
"The news from the Italian front
proves that the Austrians were able to