Evening journal., 1918-02-11
BAKER Sees SIGHS
Of BIC OFFENSIVE
Western Front May be At
tackled simultaneously at
Different Points
AUS1'RIkNS HELD
ON RESERVE LINE

Bakers weekly review Of the military
situation IN Europe, issued last night,
contains statements which are inter
/ preted as meaning that the long-herald-
ed and widely-9dycrtisod German drive
on the western battlefront may soon
matcr8llze.
After pointing out that Germany has
added 10 the strength of her forces on
the Franco-Belgisn front by bringing
up new divisions from Austria and
from ihc Russian front Secretary
Baker says that there was heavy lghi-
ing along a large part ~ The front dur
Ing The Inst week, including continued
activity along the Lorraine sector oc-
cupied by American troops.
Through no actions or more than
local character were recorded says
the Secretary. 1T would appear that
the long deferred offensive may develop
simultaneously at different points Of
the line as an outcome OF these engage
ments.'
Secretary Bakers statement follows
at dusk on the evening Of February
., of the Irish coast. a torpedo launch
ed from an enemy submarine struck
The converted liner Tuscani8, having on
board American troops our loss at the
latest report appears 20 be approXi-
mately ii3 men
The fine discipline of the men and
the efficient handling Of O. diflcult stu
alton by those IN command contributed
to account for these relatively slight
casualties At the same time we must
express our profound appreciation for
the splendid work Of the British Navy
IN rescuing our forces. Notwithstanding
the fact that hostile submarines were
lurking in the vicinity, the British dc-
stroyers rendered every assistance. and
remained on The scene, auccoring our
men until all survivors We're hrOught'
safely ashore.
At the small ports Of ireland and
Scotland, while our troops were land
ed, they met with O most warm-heaired
reception on The part of the people.
whosdid an in their power 90 admin
lister every comfort and care.
The sector IN Lorraine. where our
forces are in contact with the enemy.
continued relatively active throughout
the week. Artillery duels took place
internationally, but fog and heavy rains
infantry engagements. The
Germans attempted no further raids,
n
ing, and bOmbin- OF cur positions
our sharpsho0ters gave a good ac-
count Of themselves. keeping The 'ncmy
parapets well cleared Of Germans
zone stretch OF our line is very close
up TO the German position. Here the
bombing and frequent EXCHANGES Of
hand grenades occurred
German airplanes made repeated at
FN "a "a .ff ffaa al
lies over our lines, but were lnaVaribly
met with a hot fre from our antl-alr-
craft guns.
"Our forces engaged have shown
themselves we'll fltted for their tasks
I'm the trenches. and are rapidly becom-
ing accustomed 90 the routine of trench
warfare The welfare of our troops.
whether In the trenches or in rest de-
pots, is The object Of the immediate per-
s0nal concern of all our commanders
The rations for the men i'm the trenches,
IN spite Of the enemys attempts 10
break up our transport columns, have
been regularly assured The care OF
our wounded at our 1eld dressing sta
tions, as well as at our base hospitals,
is beng carried on with efficiency and
scientific skill
Here in America, at our canton
menls, the training Of our new armies
is proceeding meihodically.
"The arrival IN the western theatre
of additional German forces coming
originally from the Russian front is
noted. Further Austrian divisions have
also been detached from other zones Of
operations, and are being concentrated
i'm reserve behind the German lines in
the west. Much dissatisfaction Is ex-
pressed throughout Ausiria-Hungary at
the policy of dspatching their troops
to Tight Germanys battles along the
western front.
The desire for peace is increasing
daily In the Dual Monarchy. and 10 is
only natural that the Aus~ ans should
resent sacrificing their fo.ces on dis
slant battlenelds in the furtherancc Of
German ambitions alien 90 their inter-
csts.
FLANDERS was again The scene OF nu-
merous miuor engagements particular
ly the region OF the lprcs-Staden rail-
way, where such fierce lighting took
place last autumn Here the British
drove a sharp raid into The enemy ter
riiory, inflicting casualties and taking
prisoners The British also raided the
German limos successfully southwest of
Armentiercs, as we'll as east of llargi-
court and elsewhere
"The Germans pushed forward repeat
ed reconnoiierng thrusts against Brit
ish positions northeast of poclcapello,
in the Cambria salient and at "a number
of other points.
Heavy lighting took place along the
entire front. Though no actions OF
more than local character were record
cd, il would appear that the long-de-
ferred offensive may develop stimuli
taneously 40 different points OF the line
as an outcome OF these engagements.
Hostile artillery was busily engaged
and a number OF heavy bombardments
in an probability practice barrages,
were put down at various points 10
front OF and to The south OF the Cam
brai sector
THE British took full measure of The
enemy in the various undertakings and
had the situation VIII ia hand
The French front was also the scene
of much lively fighting The Germans
drove "a number Of powerful assaults
against the French lines IN Lorraine
and IN the region north OF Craonne, os
well as along the east bank Of the
Afeuse
IN the area bordering the North Sea