The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-09-28
ALLIES IN ASCENDENCY
ON WESTERN FRONT
MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN
FRANCE REVIEWED.
Entente Content Merely TO Wear
Down the Enemy Until Force
a of u. S. Army Is Felt.

american governments first official
statement concerning military oper-
alton in Europe. was issued tonight
by Secretary Baker, inaugurating
series which in time will be devoted
largely to activities of the United
States expeditionary forces. 1t says
though ascendency on the western
front has passed definitely to the
allies, they are content merely to
wear down the enemy until the force
of the American army makes itself
felt in the field.
Operations for the week ending
september % are reviewed by Mr.
Baker, without reference to the
American force now an France. The
statement follows:
"The secretary of war authorizes
the following statement dealing
with military activities in Europe
for the week ending September %:
At StandstilI Soon.
LAS 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
position to undertake the much
advertised offensive action SO often
boasted af at home during the past
summer, in order to end the war vic
toriously by Christmas.
TT may be stated affirmatively
that the ascentency in the west has
definitely past to the allies. though
the latter are content by tactics of
attrition to wear down the enemy,
giving no rest or respite, until such
time as the force of our army NAV
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 a pressage of
what the enemy is to expect next
spring
Weeks Activities.
Beginning with desultory artil-
lery fire along broad front. which
gradually narrowed down to an in
tense bombardment along what is
known as the AnZac ridge. about one
mile southwest of Zonnebeke, south
ward through Nuns wood to the
Ypres-Menin road, the British in
creased their artillery preparation
to a density hitherto unattained.
THE early days OF the week were
marked by wet foggy weather, MAX
ing artillery observation difficult and
any offensive undertaking almost
impossible.
The weather having cleared by
Thursday, September 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.
Resistance Desperate.
In spite of the desperate resist
ance OF the enemy. whose lines were
protected by concrete dugouts scat
tered over a wide area and deep
mud holes which impeded the at
tacking infantry, the British were
able to gain important tactical DO
sitions.
I'm the face OF six counter attacks
pushed home vigorously by the en-
emy, the British remained in full
possession OF the captured object
ives which they still hold.
I'm other sectors OF the western
front there have been trench raids
on a large scale and general activ-
fly OF some Importance.
while the British were busily
engaged in breaking down the en-
emy resistance in Flanders. the Ger
mans attempted minor diversions
along the French line. particularly
northeast of Nancy. which were re-
pulsed.
East OF Craonne the French arr
tillery broke mp an attempted Ger
man attack while French detach-
ments penetrated German trenches,