Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-28
BAKER FORECASTS
BIG U-BOAT DRIVE
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S.


Secretary of War Baker believes
that Germany not only is preparing
for big drive on land. but that the
most powerful offensive hitherto ur-
dertaken" is to be made by submG.
rines.
+ AS the time draws near when once
again the enemy will endeavor to
strike u decisive blow in the west"
Secretary Baker stated in his weekly
review of +he military situation, at
must be cmphD sized that he will not
be content with nero military opera.
tions on a large scale.
During the last fortnight enemy
submarines have been recalled to home
ports to be reiitted and the most pow.
erful submarine offensive hitherto IN
dertdken may be expected to be
launched against our lines of commu-
uiCGtion with France. to interrupt the
steady flow Of men and munitions for
our army and food supplies for the
Allies"
WEST. FRONT ACTIVE
In connection with Mr.. Bakers
stat ment of the withdrawal of enemy
submarines, il was pointed out that
decreased losses to shipping during
the last Few weeks have been report.
ed, and the war secretary's review
H
rOf it. The review adds
During the period under review re.
newed activity along the entire western
front is noted.
"Thc region bordering the North Sea
has suEee sagain become the scene of sc.
we're ifCh ting
"A carefully co-ordinatcd operation un-
dcrtaken by British monitors. acting in
concert with land batteries in the area
north of GDres, subjected the German
dcfenSeS Of Ostend and surrounding
country to Il severe bombardmcnt.
"No infantry action was ATTEMPTED in
this sector by the British. but later in
the week the Germans reacted sharply
aud directed a strong assault against
the short sector of the line in the dune
area which fringes the coast in the
must be considered something more than
"a simple raid, broke into the French
lines and for "A brief neriod the enemy
detachments were able to hold their
ground in the advanced French outnosts.
The French speedily brought nm fresh
forces, drove out the enemy and were
able to re-establish themselves in their
former positions without fiiculty.
"In the Italian theatre the IMPORTANCE
Of the successful French assault in the
region of the Monte Tomba three weeks
ago is proved By the retreat of the enemy
in this area.
THE enemy has abandoned an extern
siVe tract of terrain north of the Monte
TOmba, extending to the PiaNe. The
Austrian lines now rest on the Monte
! Srinoncia.
ITALIAN KEY RELIEVED
at would appear that the enemy has
for the time being abandoned his at
tempt to break through this channel TO
the plain.
THE Austrians. while still strong in
this sector. nevertheless no longer di.
rectly thteaten the key positions of the
Italian line. increasing liveliness of
enemy artillery IN the Val Lagarina is
recorded. 1t Is apnarent that the Aus
trians are carrying out their plans of
shifting their cencer or attack further
to the west.
THE Val Lagarina offers peculiar at
traction for an invasion of Italy. 1t is
n classic path Of invaders coming from
the north. We may expect that should
the opportunity seem favorable the
enemy may attempt an operation in
this area.
In Russia peace negotiations have
continued with frequent Interruptions.
The victory of the British over the
Turkish naval forces off the Dardanelles
must be mentioned as an event of espe-
cial military sign'fcance.
observers coming from Constanti-
nople very recently informed us that as
long as Constantinople remained under
the guns of the former German cruisers
Goeben and Breslau, the Turks would
necessarily continue under the domina-
finn nf tna l,pruaDS -