New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-02-11
BAKER ANTICIPATES
DRIVE BY GERMANS
Weekly Review Forecasts Olien-
SiVo on Western Front Soon

y
Bakers weekly review of the military
sitaution in Europe, contains state
ments which are interpreted as mean
ing that the long-heralded and wide
ly-advertised German drive on the
western battlefront may soon ma
terialize.
After pointing out that Germany
has added to the strength of her
forces on the Franco-Belgian front
by bringing up new divisions from
Austria and from the Russian front
Secretary Baker says that there was
heavy figf6ng along q large part Of
the front during the last week, in
Guiding continued activity along the
Lorraine sector occupied by American
troops.
Though no actions of more than
local character were recorded"
says the secretary, sit would appear
that the long deferred offensive may
develop simultaneously at different
points of the line as an outcome OF
these engagements"
Discipline on Tuscanta.
Secretary Bakers statement fol-
lows:
AT dusk on the evening Of Feb. 5,
OIL the IFISl coast, q torpedo Ia cneQ
from an enemy submarine struck the
converted liner Tuscania, having ON
board American troops. Our loss at
the latest report appears to be ap-
proximately 113 men.
"The fine discipline of the men
and the efficient handling of a diff
cult situation by those in command
contributed TO account for these re-
q ajyy c1i cI1)t oC11n I,o
same time we must express our pro-
found 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 Destroy
ers rendered every assistance, and
remained on the scene, succoring our
men until all survivors were brought
safely ashore.
AT the small ports of Ireland and
Scotland, where our troops were
landed, they met with a most warm
hearted reception on the part of the
people, who did all in their power to
administer every comfort and care.
The sector in Lorraine where our
forces are in contact with the enemy,
continued relatively active through
out the week. Artillery duels took
place Internationally, but fog and
heavy rains prevented infantry en-
gagements. The Germans attempted
no further raids, and settled down to
systematic sniping, and bombing of
our positions.
Our sharpshooters gave a good
account of themselves, keeping the
enemy parapets we'll cleared of Ger
mans.
Close to German Line.
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
attempts to push their accommodating
sallies over our lines, but were invar-
iably met with q hot fire from our
anti-aircraft guns
"Our forces engaged have shown
themselves we'll fitted for their tasks
in the trenches, and are rapidly be-
coming accustomed to the routine Of
trench warfare. The welfare of our
troops whether in the trenches or in
rest depots, is the object of the imme-
diate personal concern of all our COM
manderS. The ratiOnS for the men in
the trenches, in spite of the enemy's
attempts to break up our transport
columns have been regularly assured.
The care of our wounded at our field
dressing stations, as we'll as at our
base hospitals, is being carried on
with efficiency and scientific Skill.
Here in America, at our canton
ments, the training of our new armies
is proceeding methodically.
'"The arrival in the western theater
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 con-
centrated in reserve behind the Ger
man lines in the west. Much dlssat-
isfaction is expressed throughout Aus