Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-04
Secretary of War Baker An.
nOunces Readiness For
German Attack.
ADMITS AMERICANS
ARE IN TRENCHES
Efficiency Of Gunners Brings Com
mendation From Commanders-Tw
Americans Killed, Nine Wounded and
One, Suffers From Shell Shock-Allied
Airn,en Bring Down Twenty four
German and Austrian Planes.

!" Washington, Feb. 4.--Warning the
nation not to let reports of strikes in
Germany slacken its war preparations
Secretary Baker in his weekly military
review today also makes official an
nouncement that American, troops are
at last holding portion of the battle
front.
For the first time also Mr.. Baker
declares that it is fully believed the
allies have a preponderance of men
and guns on the western front. Secre
tary Baker declared the reports Of nu
merical superiority have been spread
by Ehe enemy himself.
Reviewing operations for the week
ending Feb. 2 Secretary Baker says:
American troops which now have
completed their training are occupying
a portion Of the actual battle front.
The operations in which our troops
have SO far been engaged were OF a
minor character.
"On ian. 80 the Germans attempted
a strong raid against our line for pur-
poses of Identification.
Unity Among Allies.
Under coyer4of q mist the Germans
reached our !ihe. After a sharp brush
the Germans yyre compelled to with
draw.
Another event Of Importance took
place in France. The interallied su
'preme war council met at Versailles.
attended by General Bliss. chief OF
staff OF the army, and General PERISH
ing, as we'll as representatives OF
France. Great Britain and tia y. Com
plete cooperation between the allies
end ourselves ard a harm ,r4ous ur
Outstanding between all the forces en-.
gagged promises to show positive re-
suits. Unity Of purpose on all fronts
will thus be attained"
AIIios Hold Advantage.
During NO past seven da% period
the world has been foo!Al with rews
of very serious internal unrest in Ger
many. Widespread strikes among mu-
milton workers are reported. While dis
affections no doubt are rife in Ger
many, we must not allow any reported
disturbance within the German empire
to affect the effectiveness or speed of
our own preparations.
During the week hostile concentra-
tion in the west continued. In certain
quarters the report spread by the en-
cmy that he holds a superiority In the
west has gained some credencc. While
positive proof has been received that
the enemy has sent troops from the
eastern theater nevertheless the allies
preciable superiority both in men and
guns"
Activity in All Sectors.
IN the British theater numerous
raids took place The British forces
also were busily engaged sounding the
enemy line, identifying new units. talk
ing that measure OF the value Of the
contingcnts which are arriving along
the German line in the west from other
theaters.
Hostile artillery kept up a constant
fire in the Ypres and Ca1nbrni sectors.
The French also were busy raidng
the enemy. Opposite the French the
Germans confined operations to minor
raids north Of the Aisne and in upper
Alsace.
"Pronting by tho favorable at
mosphSric conditions which prevailed
aerial operations were undertaken. The
British successfully bombardcd railway
icenters in Flanders and air suuadrcns
undertook attacks on military depot.s.
London and Paris as well as Dun
kirk, Calais, and Boulogne were visited
by hostile aircraft.
Italian Situation Improved.
IN Italy further improvement in
the combat situation Is noted. The
Italians we're very successful in follow
ing up their plans to gain points OF
strategic Importance along their battle
front. .s
"The Italians captured the important
peaks Of Col del Rosso and the Monte
Di Val Bella and took 100 officers. $500
men and large quantities OF munitions,
Austrian reaction was prompt. An
assault against the new italian post
tions on the Monte Dl Val Bella was
undertaken. The attack was stopped
and the Italians delivered counter at
tacks inf,lcting serious losses on the
Austrians. 7..a ..'.., ..,'..
"On the Macedonian front new 'oper-
ations are reported. The British and
serbians attacked in the valley OF tho
yarder and in Ceres.
I'm Palestine the British are pushing
slowly but steadily forward.
U. 8. Troops Give Balance.
rThe French government has given
out figures as to comparative man
powar on each side OF the western