Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-09-27
American Forces in France
Not Expected to Enter
Trenches Before Next
Spring, Says Baker.
GERMANS 0UTCLASSED
By ARMIES OF ALLIES
Incidents of Past Week Are
Reviewed and Summarized;
Air Fighting Assumes Even
Greater Importance,


Washington, Sept 26.-The Ameri-
can governments first official state
ment concerning military operation in
Europe was issued tonight by Secre-
tary Baker, inaugurating series
which in time will be devoted largely
to activities of the United States ex-
peditionary forces IT says that while
ascendancy sn 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 Sep
tember 22 are reviewed by MIR. Baker
without reference to the American
force now in France. The statement
says:
The secretary of war authorizes
the following statement dealing with
m airy, ACTIVITIES In Frrn,a a.. .'e
week ending september 20:
Germans Can't DO II.
"As the time draws near when mill :
tary operations on a large scale on the
western front must come to a stand
still, owing to the approach of win
ter, it declares that the enemy does
not feel himself in position to under
take the much-advertised offensive
action, so often boasted of during the
past summer, in order to end the war
VIGOROUSLY by Christmas
1t may be stated affirmatively that
the ascendancy in the west has pass
ed definitely to the arlies although the
latter are content by tactics of attri-
ton to wear down the enemy, giving
no rest or respite until such a time
as the force of our army may make it.
self felt in the field.
Big Offensive i'm Spring.
THE week just closed has been one
of increased activity on the part of the
allies on the western front, and it may
be taken as presage of what the
enemy Is to expect next spring.
Beginning with desultory fire
along a broad front which gradually
narrowed down to an intense bonn
bardment along what is known as the
Anzac ridge, about one mile south =
west of Zonnebek. southward through
Nuns wood to the Ypres-Menin road,
the British increased their artillery
preparation to a density hitherto un-
attained
The early days of the week were
marked by wet, foggy weather, max
ing artillery observation difficult and
possible.
Terrific Artillery Fire.
THE weather having cleared by
Thursday, September 90, 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
I'm spite of the desperate resistance
of the enemy, whose lines were pro-
teoted by concrete dugouts scattered
over wide area, and deep mud holes
which impeded the attacking infantry,
the British were able to gain import
ant tactical positions.
Counter-attacksF Fail.
"In the face of six counter attacks,
pushed home vigorously by the enemy,
the British remained in full possession
of the captured detectives, which they
still hold
"In other sectors of the western
front there have been trench raids on
large scale and generally 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 detachments
penetrated German trenches destroy
ed dugouts and brought back prison.
ers in the region of Godat.
Great Activity in Air.
THE week has witnessed great ac-
tivity in the air. During two days
French bombing expeditions dropped
$4,000 pounds of proiectiles on enemy
territory. including the barracks and
factories at stuttgart and the avia-
ton camp at ,olmar, as we'll as baset
south of Metz.
"One Of the significant incidents of
the week, as demonstrating the in
creased importance of aircraft, is re-
ported by the British. An airplane
dispersed a battalion of enemy In
fantry by turning its machine gun on
the men as they were proceeding
along a highway in the rear.
Along the Italian front the active
operations Of the preceding week