The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1917-10-02


ascendancy to the western front has
passed definitely to the Allies. they
are content merely to wear down the
enemy until the force of the Ameri-
can army makes itself felt in the
field.
Operations for the week ending
Sept. 22 are reviewed by Mr.. Baker,
without reference to the American
forces now in France. The state
ment follows:
Secrctary's Statement.
The secretary of war authorizes
the following statement dealing with
military activities in Europe for the
week ending Sept 90:
"As the time draws near when
military operations on a large scale
on the western front must come to
standstill, owing to the approach
of winter, it becomes evident that
the enemy does not feel himself in
pOSlllOu W AlutlN tame llS llu'h-
advertised offensive action so often
boosted of at home during the past
summer, in order to end the war vic
toriously by Christmas.
1t may be stated affirmatively
that the ascendancy in the west has
passed definitely to the Allies, al
though the latter are content by tao
tics of attrition to wear down the
enemy, giving no rest or respite I'M
til such a time as the force of our
army may make itself felt in the
field.
The week just closed has been
one of increased activity on the part
of the Allies on the western front
and may be taken as presage of
what the enemy is to expect next
spring.
Beginning with desultory artil-
lery fire along the broad front which
gradually narrowed down to an in
tense bombardment along what is
known as the Ancaz ridge about one
mile southwest of Sonnebeke south
east through Nuns wood to the
Ypres-Menin road, the British in
creased their artillery preparations
to density hitherto unattained.
The early days of the week were
marked by wet foggy weather making
artillery observation difficult and any
offensive undertaking almost impros-
sible.
Advance of the Infantry.
The weather having cleared by
Thursday, Sept. 20, the British
launched their attack. The infantry
advance was preceded by barrage
of greater depth and intensity than
has ever before been undertaken in
any engagement during the course
of the war. Five distinct curtains
of fire were stretched ahead of the
men as they began to advance
through no mans land.
In spite of the desperate resist
ance OF the enemy, whose lines were
protected by concrete dugouts scat
tered over wide area and deep mud
holes which impeded the attacking
infantry, the British were able to
gain important tactical positions.
; In the face of six counterattacks
pushed home vigorously by the en-
envy, the British remained in full
possession of the captured detectives,
which they still hold.
I'm other sectors of the western
front there have been trench raids
on large scale and general activity
of some Importance.
While the British were busily en-
gagged in breaking down the enemy
resistance in Flanders, the Germans
attempted minor diversions along the
French line, particularly northeast OF
Nancy, which were repulsed.
East of Craonne the French ar.
tillery broke up an attempted Ger
man attack while French detach-
ments penetrated German trenches
destroyed dugouts and brought back
prisoners in the region of Godat.
"The week has witnessed great ac,
tivity in the air. During two days
French bombing expeditions dropped
$4,000 pounds of proiectiles on en-.
envy territory including the barracks
and factories at Stuttgart and the
aviation camp at Colmar, as we'll as
bases south of Metz.
cone of the significant incidents
of the week, as demonstrating the
increased Importance of aircraft Is
reported by the British. An air
plane dispersed a battalion of enem,