The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-30
be SUBMARINE. ! s. DRIVE. lll!!i!.
SEkAiANS WILL ATTEMPT TO
MsEAk AMERICAN TRANS
PORT LINE.
I'm Weekly War Review Secretary la
ksr Warns OF Impending Offensive
Against American Lines Of Com
munitation--Expects Renewed Land
Fighting.

great submarine offensive against the
American lines OF communication with
France i'm connection with the i'm
pending Teutonic drive against the
Western front Is given by Secretary
naker in his weekly military review
made public tonight by the war de-
partment.
Recently there has been marked
decrease In the number Of allied mer-
chant ships sunk by submarines. The
explanation for this is found i'm the
Withdrawal OF submarines in prepara-
tiop for the coming thrust on land and
sea. The review says:
AS the day draws near when once
again the enemy will endeavor to
strikes decisive blow in the West.
II must he emphasized that he Will
not be content with mere military OPP
crations on a large scale.
During the past fortnight enemy
submarines have been recalled to
home ports to be rcfitted and the most
powerful submarine offensive hither-
TO undertaken may be expected to be
launched against our lines of COM
munication with France, to Interrupt,
the steady fow of men and munitions
Tor our own army and food supplies
for the allies.
During the period under review,
renewed activity along the entire
Western front is noted
The region bordering the North
Sea has once again become the scene
or severe lighting.
a carefully coordinatcd operation
undertaken by British monitors. act
ing In concert with land batteries In
the area north OF Ypres. subjected the
German defenses OF Ostend and sur
rounding country to a severe bonn
bardment.
NO infantry action was attempted
In this sector by the British. but later
In the week the Germans reacted
sharply and directed strong assault
against the short sector OF the line In
the dune area which fringes the coast
In the vicinity OF Nieuport.
This attack. which must be con-
sidered sometimes more than a sim
pie raid. broke into the French lines
aud. for brief period. enemy detach-
ments were able to hold their ground
In the advanced French outposts. The
French drove out the enemy and were
able to reestablish themselves i'm
their former positions without diff
Guilty.
In the Italian theater the impor
tanco OF the successful French as
shult In the region OF the Monte Tom
TIA three weeks ago is proved by the
retreat OF the enemy in this area.
~The enemy has abandoned an ex-
tensive tract OF terrain north OF the
Monte Tomba extending TO the Piave.
The Austrian lines now rest on the
Monte Spinoncia.
1T would appear that the enemy
has for the time being abandoned his
attempt to break through this chan.
mel TO the plain.
THE Austrians. while still strong
In this sector. nevertheless no longer
directly threaten the key position OF
tho Italian line. Increasing liveliness
OF enemy artillery in the Val Lagarina
10 recorded.
"Reports reach US OF the increas-
ing restiveness OF the Slav population
of Austria. more particularly the
Cxechs.
The general strike I'm Vienna and
other upheavals throughout the mon
archy are assuming serious proper
tons.
I'm Russia peace negotiations have
continued with frequent interruptions.
In Palestine the British are ex-
tendlng their line to the north and
during week advanced further In |
me neighborhood OF Durah on a from !
tage or approximately four miles.
The victory OF the British over the
Turkish naval forces off the Oar
dsnelles must be mentioned rs an
event of especial military Significance. |
N"Observers from Constantinople |
very recently informed us that as
long as Constantinople was under the !
Guns OF the former German cruisers !
Goeben and Breslau the Turks would |
Necessarily continue under the domi-
nation OF the Germans"
RIOTS AT PRAGUE.
Zurich. Jan. 2S.-Three thousand