Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-28
BAKER SOUNDS WARNING
OF SUBMARINE ATTACK
Offensive VIII Bc Directed Against
\ Our Lines Of Communication.
Thinks War Secretary
GERMANY CALLS IL u-BoATs
Weekly Review Tells of Renewed
Activity by Both Sides on Western
Front. Especially Near the North
Sea-

WASHlNGToN. January 2..--waru-
ins that the Germans arc preparing for
great submarine offensive against the
American lines OF communication with
France in connection with the impcnd-
ing Tcutonic drive against the west
front is given by Secretary Baker in
his weekly military review. made pub
lie tonight BY tho War Departments
Recently there has hceu marked
decrease in the nunrhcr OF allied mer-
char; ships sunk by submarines The
explanation for this is found in the
withdrawal OF submarines in prcpara-
,ion for tho coming thrust on land and
sea. The review says:
AS the time draws near when once
again tho enemy will endcayor TO strike
a decisive blow IN tho west il must
he emphasized that hc will not be con-
tent with mere military operations on
4 large scale.
During the past fortnight enemy
submarines have hcen recalled 10 home
ports TO he reti;ted. and tho most pow
crful submarine offensive hitherto un-
deriaken may he expected to he
launched against our lines o: commu-
nication with France, 10 interrupt the
steady fow Of mon aud munitions for
our own armies and food supplies for
our allies.
During the period under review. re-
newcd activity along tho cniirc western
front is noted.
The re:ion bordering the North Sea
has once again become the scene of Sc
vcrc lighting
a carefully co-ordinaied operation.
undertaken by British monitors. acting
in concert with land batteries in the
area north OF Yprcs. subjected the Ger
inan defenSeS OF Ostcnd and surround
ing country to a severe bomba rdmcnt
GERMANS ATTACK
RRiTISH IN BELGIUM
NO infantry action was attempted
in this sector by the British. but later
in the week the Germans reacted sharp
~ and directed a strGf assault
against the short sector of I. e line in
the dune area which fr!nses the coast
in the vicinity of Nieupori. This at
tack, which must lie considered some
thing more than simple raid, broke
into The French lines and for brief
period. the enemy dciachments were
able to hold their ground in the adj
ranced French ou;posts. The French
speedily brought up fresh forces.
drove out the enemy and We're able to
:c-cstablish themselves in their former
positions without difficulty
In the Italian thcater the import
ance OF the successful French assault
in the region Of tho Monte Tonba three
weeks ago is proven by the retreat Of
tho enemy III this area.
AUsTnIANs RETIRE NORTH
or MONTE TOMBA
The enemy has abandoned an exten-
sive tract OF terrain north of the Monte
Tomba extending to the piavc. The
Austrian lines now rest on the Monte
Spinoncia.
1T 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 threaten tho key positions of the
italian line. Increasing livelincss OF
enemy artillery in the Val Lasarina is
recorded. 1t is apparent that tho Aus
trians arc carrying oIt their plans Of
shifting their center Ct attack further
TO the west.
The Val Lasarina offers peculiar at
traction for an invasion OF II. v. II Is
classic path of invaders. coming from
the north. We may 1pect that should
the opportunity sen, fa.orable The
enemy may attenp. an operatio, in
this area.
INCREASING UNEl sI<ESS
AhnNl SIAIS ~,
Reports reach US OF tho increasing
rcstivenes3 of the Slav population OF
Continued on Second Pagc)