Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-25
tillery assembled along the western |
battle front by |
Fighting in West both groups Of
Grows in Intensity. 80. :. x.sns

D6ttl0 'front.' Dy
Fighting in West both groups OF
r. BELLY ent
ing up a constant medley. Day and
night the big guns are active and APP
parently paving the way for infantry
actions Of far-rsaching proportions.
The ability OF the entente armies to
keep up such a terrible fire against
the Germans for such q prolonged
period-their guns having never ceased
during the long winter months-is in
dicattve of their preparations for the
main contest in this arena, which, It Is
declared, may decide the victor in the
present struggle.
The French and British continue their
determined raids against enemy posi-
tions over practically the length and
mans likewise have subjected French
and British to frequent attacks and
continued artillery bombardment. With
the near approach Of spring the ten
sion among the armies operating along
the western front is declared to be
great, all expecting a terrible battle at
one point or another. possibly many at
the same moment; It is not known at
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg will
sound the signal to move forward.
That it will be soon, and that present
operations put herald the approaching
drives, is believed everywhere.
The British continue their operations
toward Bapaume on the northern sec
ton of the somme front, and last
Saturday made gains on both sides OF
the Ancre over a front Of two miles.
German counter attacks failed to throw
the British backward. It would appear
that the British through their spas
modic offensive actions have been able
to advance almost at will in this par
ticular section. they having captured
four or five square miles Of territory
during the past two or three weeks.
1t is extremely significant. according
to allied commanders, that the Ger
mans are assembling great forces on the
western front. This is declared to be the
probable outgrowth OF Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg's decision that, after
all, the decision in this war is to come
through activities in the west and not
the east. Forces from the eastern and
Rumanian fronts are recognized on the
western front. In addition. 1t is de-
clared that men as old as sixty and as
young as sixteen are being pressed into
the front fighting line by the Germans.
Many thousands of landsturm forces,
too old to withstand the rigors Of
trench fighting, are being used at the
men may be used at the extreme front.
The Germans have been striking at
the British in the region Of Ypres, and
it is believed
Germans May not improb-
Strike at Two Points. iii msss
their greatest effort in this section,
which was such bloody battle-ground
late in 1914. and again in the spring
Of 1915, The Germans desire to reach
Calais or Paris. An offensive in the
Champagne in the direction of the
French capital is extremely probable.
but there is possibility that the Ger
mans also will attempt once more.
despite their previous bitter expe-
riences. to reach the seacoast at Ca
lais through the British lines near
Ypres. The British have directed a
series of raids against German lines in
penetrated several hundred yards of
enemy trenches. The Germans have
delivered several attacks. their chief
success being In the capture Of Brit
10y. Near Messines the Germans re-
port the repulse Of British efforts.
Dramatic events are transpiring in
the region of the near east where the
their blunders of the past. 1t is an un-
doubted fact that the British hope, by
seizing Kut-el-Amara, to make 1t a
base for operations against Bagdad,
and they are straining every effort to
force retirement of the large masses
of Turkish troops which are being
used in this arena OF war.
During the past ten days the British
have drown their net closer about Kut,
the only distractions they have met
being on the right bank at Sanniyat,
where the Turks with the Tigris on one
flank and the Suwicha marsh on the
other, have succeeded fairly well
in holding the British in check. The
forces of Gen. Maude have. however,
been able to take two Turkish trench
lines in this vicinity. In the bend of
the Tigris where the Turks are bottled
in the British have captured several
more than 500 yards, and these gains
are admitted by Constantinople.
The position of the Turks is precari-
Gus. and should the British continue to
push ahead. 1T is but a question OF time
when the investment of Kut will be
complete. There Is a possibility that
the Turks will be forced to surrender
to the British, as Gen. Townshend and
his 10000 men were forced to sur
render to the Turks more than a year
ago. after having bravely stood a siege
of 143 days.
Gen Maurice, chief director of mill
tary operation in the British war Of
flee. is authority for the statement that
are forcing the Turks to suspend their
movements of troops toward the Mace
donion line. where they probably will
be greatly needed when the proposed
allied offensive gets under way.
X x
Just what is to transpire in the Mace
DOMAIN regions remains question, but
it would ap-
Doubt Surrounds pear that the
Macedonian Front. inc deanite
plans for an offensive movement. The
entente armies have approximately
1000 men on the Macedonian battle
line according to latest dispatches
10000 French. 100000 British. 10000
Russians, $4,000 Serbians, $4,000 Ital-
ians and about three regiments Veni- |
zelists. The Italians are declared to be
.apdinp more forces to the Macedonian