Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-29
BAKER SEES HUN
RETREAT in WEST
Secretary of War Predicts
Another Strategic Retire
ment by Germans
iTALY's PRESENT DANGER

While predicting another strategic re-
treat by the Germans on the west front,
Secretary OF War Bakers weekly war re-
view today admits that ITALY Is passing
through a dfhcut moment"
No indication is given as to what the
Allied war chiefs may do TO relieve the
giEantic pressure of Hun hordes sweeping
over the plains Of Italy in an obvious effort
70 register a great military coup. Bakers
report apparently was prepared before the
Austro-German thrust assumed its present
critical proportions. 1t outlines as the fore
most developments of the week the British
and French advances on the west front
Anticipating 'imporant developments
SOON" the report states that any strategic
retirement by the Germans in the West
would now be under conditions less favor
able than heretofore.
The allied superiority is increasingly ap-
parent, the statement adds. There Is
steady rise in the enemy casualties.
Russia Baker adds, is apparently con-
solidating her resistance. and he believes
the Germans will probably not try TO do
more than strengthen their Riga holdings
now
THE sECRETARY's STATEMENT
The statement follows:
'Renewed activity prevails in all thea
tres of war. Important developments would
appear to be impending.
"Along the western, eastern and Italian
tamia and even in East Africa, significant
operations in progress.
ut is evident that the Allied drives along
the western front are broadening in scope
and intensity The whole front, from the
Houthust forest through the Passchen-
daele ridge, southwark TO Lens and on to
the Asne, is becoming the scene Of increas
ingly heavy Allied pressure, which the
enemy is withstanding with difficulty.
'Side by side the French and British are
pushing on through the Flemish lowlands
toward Roulers.
''The enemy, believing he might find a
rift in the otherwise impregenable Allied
line at the point of junction between the
Franco British forces, directed repeated
heavy counterattacks in this segment.
These repulsed.
"while the British attacks during the last
week have been carried out with imposing
effectiveness, Il is apparent that the Brit.
ish command is maneuvering in order to
gain important tactical advantages at a
minimum cost
THE casualties TO the enemy are rising
steadily.
Slowly the Allies are enlarging their
gains in Flanders driving into the heart
Of German resistance in the west.
FRENCH VICTORIES
'"The German armies fight on stubbornly
If any further evidence of Allied superiority
be needed it seems to be supplied by the
decisive success won by the French during
the last week
This offensive was launched a six.
mile war front near the west end Of the
Chemn des Danes at dawn of october 23.
General Petain so well masked his
Preparations that the enemy was taken by
for the attack and was overwhelmed before
being able to organize a concentrated re-
sistance.
THE German lines were penetrated to a
depth of welF over two miles at one point
This first attack was Immediately fol
lowed by second assault i'm this same sec
tor. crowned with full success.
In three days fighting the French have
taken $4,000 prisoners, 120 guns Of large
caliber and great quantity of other booty
not yet enumerated.
The possession of the captured fort oi
Malmaison, the key to the entire ridge and
the villages beyond, now makes 1t possible
for the French to enfilade the German posi-
tions along the Chemn-d Danes, as
well as 10 fire directly through the valley
toward the fortress of Laon.
General Petain showed himself a past
master of strategy in being able to attain
such decisive victory in so brief a period
"y he time has apparently come for an
oth sr strategic retreat of the enemy. II
Dleans that the Germans must again retire
TO new entrenched and carefully pre-.
pared line If they intend to resist further in
the west
retreat executed as a result of the battles
0f the Somme last year was carried
throug6 with consummate skill. The enemy
retired, destroying all cover and taking up
positions of marked tactical and strategic
strength.
But the battle of the Somme had but
one wedge. Today we have the wedge
of Flanders and that of the Asne is being
outlined.
The bad weather continues to be the
enemy's best protection. He is relying upon
this factor 10 impede the Allied advance
and by shrouding the battle area in slush
rain and fog give him a respite until he
can prepare himself to meet a fresh on
slaught
ON THE ITALIAN FRONT
y News from the Italian front proved
that the Austrans were able to bring
sufhcient pressure to bear in Berlin in order
70 secure German assistance.
AS the result of the concentration of an
imposing array of artillery and massed
battalions, the Austro-German forces have
succeeded in penetrating the recently won
Italian positions in the Tolmno sector
THE broken, steep, mountainous char.