The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-04
Germans Raid American
Trenches - American
Scouts Are Active
GERMAN STRIKES
ARE DISCUSSED
Must Not Be Permitted to
Slacken Speed of Prep
aratiOns
CBy Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 4.-Warning the
nation not to let reports OF strikes
and other internal disturbances in
Germany stacker its war prepara-
tions, Secretary Baker in his weekly
military review today also makes the
official announcement that AmeFf-
can troops are at last holding a por-
ton Of the actual battlefront
For the first time, also, Secretary
Baker declares that il is fully be-
lieVed the allies have a preponder-
ance of men and guns on the west
ern front, despite the fact that the
German line has been strengthened
by troops from the Russian field.
Secretary Baker declared the reDJrIs
OF numerical superiority have been
spread by the enemy himself
Reviewing operations for the week
ending Feb. 2, Secretary Baker says;
American troops which have now
completed their training are occu-z
pying a portion Of the actual battle
front. The operations in which our
troops have 50 far been engaged
were Of a minor character
Germans Attempt Raid.
"On Jan. 80 the Germans attempt
ed a strongly pushed raid against
our line for purposes Of identifca-
tion. Under cover of a heavy mist
the enemy was able 10 reach our ad-
Yanced positions. A short brush en-
sued and the raiders were compelled
to withdraw in haste, after inhict-
ing slight casualties.
Two days later the enemy appar-
emily attempted another reconnoit-
ering thrust, but was dispersed be-
fore any headway could be made.
"Our patrols have been active in
No Mans Land and our scouts have
made themselves familiar with the
details Of the hostile positions oppo-
site them.
Another event Of Importance
took place in France. The inter-al-
lied supreme war council met at
Bliss, chief of staff OF the army, and
General Pershing, as we'll as the
representatives of France, Great
Britain and Italy. Complete and
close cooperation between the
allies and ourselves, and a harmon
ious understanding between the SUI
preme commands of all the forces
engaged, promises to show positive
results. Unity Of purpose on all
fronts will thus be attained.
During the past seven day per-
iod the world has been flooded with
the news Of very serious internal
strikes among munitions workers
are reported. While dissatisfac-
tion no doubt is rife in Germany and
strikes Of increasing seriousness
have occurred, we must not allow
any reported disturbance within the
German empire to affect the eff
fectiveness or speed Of our own
preparations.
Superior In Men And Guns.
centrations in the west continued.
In certain quarters the reports
spread by the enemy, that he holds
a preponderous numerical superior
ity i'm the west have gained some
credence. While positive proof has
been received that the enemy has
removed troops from the eastern
theater, and is stripping other
fronts for the coming struggle in
the west, nevertheless the allies are
believed still TO hold a very ap-
preciable numerical superiority both
in men and guns.
I'm the British theater numerous
raids took place. The British
forces were also busily engaged
the enemy line. Identifying
new units. taking measure of the
value Of the new contingents which
are arriving along the German line
from other theaters.
Hostile artillery kept up a heavy
fire throughout the week i'm the
Ypres and Cambria salients.
THE French were also busy raid
ing the enemy and kept a careful
outlook along their entire front.
Opposite the French, the Germans
confined operations to minor raids
north OF the Aisne and upper Alsaoe.
"Profiting by the favorable atmos-
pheric conditions which prevailed
air raids on q large scale were un-
dertaken. The British successfully
bombed. railway centers in Flanders
aid air suuadrons undertook attacks
upon munitions plants and other
military objects in the Rhine area.
London and Paris, as well as Dun-
kirk. Calais and BoulOgne were
visited by hostile aircraft.
in Italy a further Improvement
IN the combat situation is notea
The italians were very successful
IN following up their plane % RE-
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