Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-27
Now Wearing Down Enc
my, Until America Ap-
pears, Reports Secre-
tary Baker.
tsy A.. .c,.t.d p,..,

American governments first Official
statement concerning military opera
ton In Europe was issued tonight by
Secretary Baker. inaugurating a Sc
ries which in time Will be devoted
largely to activities Of the United
States expedltionary forces. 1t says.
though ascendency on the west 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 % are reviewed by Mr.. Baker.
without reference to the American
force now in France. The statement
follows:
Tho Secretary of War authorizes
the following statement dealing with
military activities in Europe for the
week ending September 22:
"As the time draws near when mill
tary operations on large scale on the
western front must come to a stand
still. owing to the approach Of winter,
1t becomes evident that the enemy does
not feel himself IN position to un-
dertake the much advertised offensive
action SO often boasted Of at home dur
Ing the past summer. in order to END
the war VIGOROUSLY by Christmas.
ut may be stated afirmatively that
the ascendency in the west has definite
iy passed to the allies. though the lat
ter are content by tactics OF attrition
to wear down the enemy, giving no res.
OF respite until such p time as the
force of our army may make itself
felt In the field.
INCREASED ACTIVITY
ON PART OF ALLIES
THE week just closed has been one
OF Increased activity on tho 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 artillery
fire along a broad front. which gradu-
ally narrowed down to an intense
hombardment along what is known as
the AnZac ridge, about one mile south
west of Zonnebeke. southwark through
Nuns wood to the ,Ypres-Nfenin road,
the. British increased their artillery
preparation to a density hitherto un-
attained.
The early days of the weeie were
marked by wet. foggy weather, making
artillery observation dificult, and any
offensive undertaking almost jmpos-
sible.
The weather having cleared ty
Thursday, September 20, the British
launched their attack. The infantry
advance was preceded by barrage or
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-
tected by concrete dugouts scattered
over n wide area and deep mudholes
which impeded the attacking infantry,
the British were able to gain i'm
portant tactical positions.
REMAIN IN POSSESSION
OF CAPTURED DETECTIVES
In the face OF six counterattacks,
pushed home vigorously by the enemy,
the British remained In full possession
of the captured objectives. 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 Craone the French artll-
lery broke up an attempted German
attack, while French detachments
penetrated German trenches, DESTROYED
dugouts and brought back prisoners
in the region of Godat
The week has witnessed great
activity in the air. During two days
French bombing expeditions dropped
$4,000 pounds OF projectiles on enemy
territory, including the barracks and
factories at Stuttgart and the aviation
camp at Colmar, as well as bases south
of Metz
"Onc of the significant incidents of
the week. as demonstrating the in
creased Importance of aircraft. is re.
ported by the British An aeroplane
dispersed a battalion Of enemy infan-
try by turning Its machine gun on the
men as they were proceeding along a
highway In the rear.
AlohB the Italian front the active
operations OF the preceding week have
come to temporary stop The vic
torious Italian armies are resting. after
the great efforts OF having conquered
the Monte San Gabrielle.
AUSTRIAN COUNTERATTAC CKs
SUCCESSFULLY RsPULsEn
The Austrians attempted several
strong counterattacks against tho
Bainsizza plateau, all OF which were
repulsed.
Reports to hand indicate that tho
AuStrians have made use OF twenty and
one-half divisions during the recent
Italian assault along the Carso front
holding only one division In reserve
"Advices from Russia indicated that
fighting continues In the northern sec
tor.
Late reports show that the Germans
are continuing their offensive and are
now threatening Dvinsk.