Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-16
COOPERATION
Of FORCES IS
URGED BY BAKE
Secretary's Weekly Review
Emphasizes Importance
Of Enemy Drives.
EAST PROPAGANDA
MAINLY POLITICAL

Washington, D. c., Nov. 13.-Tt>e eff.
fect OF Germany's political offensives'
against Russia and Italy upon the task
ahead of the allies is recognized in
Secretary Bakers weekly review of
military operations issued today by the
war department.
THE close i'1ter-relation of events
on all fronts cannot be too frequently
emphasized. says the review
The political situation in Russia
made it possible for the energy 10 de-
each important contingents in the east
which we're speedily TRANSPORTED to the
italian front
RUSS REVOLT AIDS FOE.
1T is not unlikely that before initial.
ing their powerful drive against the
Italian forces, the enemy made pains
taking and systematic attemDts to IN
dermine the morale of tte Italian
troops, with a view to breaking Down
their resisting power.
This carefully planned political Of
Yensive conducted preparatory to their
military offensive reveals clearly the
present methods of the Germans.
Surveying the broader aspects Of
the European situation today, we find
that the enemy in the east is confirming
his efforts to political propaganda
Along the Italian sector he has recent
~ made desperate attempts to secure
decision by means of po'itico-ir,li-
tary drive. In the west, while attempt
ing to sap the fighting strength Of the
belligerent peoples. the enemy has
now been compelled to act on the de-
fensive and is being slowly but surely
driven back.
ALLIES EXPECT BATTLE.
1T should be borne in mind how
ever, that the further disintegration of
the Russian forces win mean that the
Germans will be able to thin ont their
tine aIong this front, which will thus
automatically contribute to the stiffen-
ing Of their resistance in the west, as
we'll as to render available added con-
tingents to take part in the engage
ments now proceeding in Italy.
During the week Just closed. both
the British and French were able to
record significant tactical gains. the
elimination Of a long series of power
'flrfiy driven offensives.
with Passchendaele securely in
British hands the first stage OF the
operations begun during the last week
Of September have been brought to
successful CONCLUSION
FRENCH GAINS IMPORTANT.
"The French counterpart of the Brit
ish success took place north of the
Aisne. Here the retreat of the enemy
anticipated last week.-mrs. carried out.
The pressure of the French offensive
which has grown slowly and metbodi-
cally in volume and intensity, reached
a climax when by the recent French
advance in this sector they were en-
abled to enfilade the German lines
along the crest of the Chemin des
DANES.
For the past three years the pres
ence Of the enemy on this ridge had
been source of anxiety to the French.
To dislodge them was a principal OBJ
jective of the repeated offensives de-
veloped by General Petain since last
April. The sudden forced evacuation
Of some forty square miles of the most
important terrain in this sector of the
western front has been the tangible
result reached.
AMERICANS IN ACTION.
THE Importance of this successful
Franch advance must not be over
looked. It means the penetration of
the powerfully fortified Siegfried line,
hitherto considered by the enemy i'm.
pregnable and pushes back his main
defensive positions to within five miles
q the fortress OF Laon, the major
objective.
I'm the sector where a small detach-
ment of our troops had taken up their
places in the trenches as a part of
their training. the enemy (as is Gus
tonary in trench warfare when fresh
troops are believed TO have taken
places in front line trenches) for recon
naissance purposes, executed we'll
splanned raid and succeeded in temper
arily penetrating the short segment of
the line Held by our forces, inflicting
few casualties and taking prisoners
ITALIAN ARMY REORGANIZED.
"A unit of our artillery also in the
course OF its training. came in contact
with the enemy and ACQUITTED itself
very creditably in this first encounter
In italy the situation is developing
as normally as can be expected under
the circumstances.
For the time being ii would be Of
little avail to endeavor to geek for The
contributing causes OF The successes
gained Dy IDe auSITO-Hn!Elit forces
which have resulted in their ,rcursion
into italy.
1.-THE Italian retreat. some9ha; con
fused In. its earlier stages. has row be-
come more orderly and the retirement
of the main forces Of the Italian ariisias
during the week continues inirter-
rupted.
MORALE is IMPROVED.
"The morale of the armies. shsken
by the recent events, is being rapidly
restored. Allied reinforcements have
formed junction with the Italians.
The pressure of the enemy is no
greater.
along the eastern front no opera
tons of military Importance took
place
THE enemy, instead Of attacking.
has renewed his efforts to fraternize
with the Russians. Owing to the in
volved political situation and the fresh
of the extremist elements it
Is probable that these may have
marked influence on the general STRAIT
egg of the war which We must be pre-
no rnG IN moot ~