Atlanta semi-weekly journal., 1918-02-05
BAKER URGES MORE
SPEED IN AMERICAN
WAR PREPARATIONS
Declares That People Should
Not Be LuIIed Into False
Sense of Security by Ger
man Strikes

the nation not TO let reports OF strikes
Ard other internal disturbances in Ger
many slzcken its var preparations. Sec
retary Baker in his weekly military re-
view today. also makes the official an
nOUncemenL that American troops are
st last holding a portion OF the actual
battle front.
For the nrsI time. also, Secretary Bak-
er declares that IL Is fully believed the
allies have ! preponderence OF men and
guns on the western front despite the
Tact that the German line has been
strengthened by troops from the Rus
san held Secretary Baker declared
tine reports of numerical superiority
have been spread by the enemy himself.
Reviewing operations for the week
ending February ,, Secretary Baker
says:
American troops which have now
-ompIeted their training are occupying
q portion OF the actual battle front The
operations in which our troops have so
FAR been engaged were of minor char
acteT.
-On January 30 the Germans attempt
ed a strongly pushed raid against our
line for purposes Of Identification I'm
der cover OF a heavy mist the enemy
was able 10 reach our advanced posi-
lions. \ short brush ensued and the
raiders were compelled TO withdraw in
haste. after inflicting slight casualties
Two days later the enemy apparent
is ATTEMPTED another reconnoitering
thrust but was dispersed before any
neadway could be made.
cur patrols have been active IN No
Mans Land and our scouts have made
themselves families with the details OF
-hc hostile positions opposite them
Another event Of Importance took
place in France The interallied SUI
preme war council met at Versailles,
attended by General Bliss, CHIEF OF
stan Of the army. and General Persh-
ing. as we'll as the representatives or
france. Great Britain and Italy. Com
pIets and close cooperation between
the allies and ourselves, and har-
mouious understanding between the su-
= preme commands Of all the forces en-
gagged. promises to show positive re-
suits Unity of purpose on all fronts
viii thus De attained
German STRIKES
During the past seyen-day period
The world has been flooded with the
news OF very serious unrest in Ger
many widespread strikes among mu-
milton workers are reported While dis
satisfaction IS no doubt rife in Ger
many. and strikes OF increasing sert-
BUSINESS have occurred, We must not al
low any reported disturbance within
tjveness or speed Of our own prePara-
lions
. During the week hostile concentra-
lions in the west continued In Ger
tain quarters the reports spread by the
enemy. that he holds a preponderaut
numerical superiority in the west. have
-zfred some rredence While positive
proof has been received that the enemy
has removed trops from the eastern
-hater and is stripping other fronts for
the coming struggle in the west. never
thsIess. the allies are believed still TO
hold a very appreciabie numerical su-
periority both-in men and guns
In the British thester numerous
raids took place South OF Lens and
northeast of I.znEemarck. as well as
south OF the Srarpe. the Germans sent
out reconuOitsring detachments- The
British forces were also bUsily engaged
sounding the enemy line. Identifying
new units. taking measure OF the value
OF the new cOntingents which are ar
riviug along the German line in the
west from other theateTs-
German Prisoners
Northeast Of HsvrincOurt and near
Ispehy. British patrols brought in pris-
ouers-
Hostile artillery kept Up a heavy
Ere throughout the week in the Ypres
and Cambrai saiients.
''Passchendasle was the scene Of very
lively sheIIIng and the regions Of Arras
and Lens were also principal targets for
the Germans
The French were also busy raiding
the enemy and kept a careful outlook
along their entire front Opposite the
French, the Germans. confined opera
-tions 10 minor raids north OF the Aisne
and upper Alsace-
'Profiting BY the favorable atmos-
pheric conditions which prevailed. air
raids on large scale were undertaken.
The British successfully bombed rail-
way centers in Flanders and air squad
rOns undertook attacks upon munition
plants and other military detectives In
the Rhine area London and Paris, as
well as DunkiTls. Calais and Boulogne,
were visited BY hostile aircraft.
.In Italy q further imnroYement In