The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-28
War Secretary Predicts
They Will Begin Drive
On Communications ,
U-BOATS WITHDRAWN
FOR NEEDED REPAIRS
Expects Attack to Be Co
ordinated With Military
Movements
CRy Associated Press.N

! Washington, Jan. 2S.-WaTning
! that the Germans are preparing for
u great submarine offensive against
| the American lines Of communica-
| ton with France in connection with
the impending TeutoniC drive against
the west front, is given by Secretary
Baker in his weekly military review
made public last night.
Recently there has been a marked
decrease in the number of allied
merchant ships sink by submarines.
The explanation for this is found in
the withdrawal Of submarines in
preparation for the coming thrust on
land and seas. The review says:
las the time draws near when once
again the enemy will endeavor to
strike q decisive blow in the west, it
must be emphasized that he will not
be content with mere military opera
tons on a large scale.
During the last fortnight enemy
submarines have been recalled to
some ports to be RENTED and the
most powerful submarine offensive
hitherto undertaken may be expect
ed to be launched against our lines
of communication with France, to
interrupt the steady flow OF men and
munitions for our own armies 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 again become the scene of
severe fighting.
"A carefully co-ordinated operation
undertaken by British monitors act
ing in concert with land batteries in
the area north Of Ypres, subjected
the German defenses of Cstend and
surrounding country to a severe
bombaTdment.
NO infantry action was attempted
in this sector by the British, but later
in the week the Germans reacted
sharply and directly against a strong
assault against a short sector of line
in the Dune area. This attack broke
into the French lines and for brief
period the enemy detachments were
able to hold their ground in the ad-
vanced French outposts. The French
brought up French forces, drove out
the enemy and were able to re-
establish themselves in their former
positions without difficulty.
SIavs More Restless.
Reports reach us Of the increasing
restiveness of the Slav population of
Austria, more particularly the
CEeCnS.
THE general strike in Vienna and
other upheavals throughout the mon
archy are assuming serious proper
tons and they are no longer to be
held Of mere internal interest, but
will inevitably react on the general
political situation.
Tn Russia peace negotiations have
continued with frequent Interrupt
tions.
In Palestine the British are ex-
tending their lines to the north and
during the week advanced further in
the neighborhOod Of Durah on a
frontage of approximately four miles.
The victory Of the British over
the Turkish naval forces off the
Dardanelles must be mentioned as
an event Of especial military signi-
ficance.
observers coming from Constan-
tinople very recently informed us
that as long as Constantinople re-
manned under the guns Of the for
mer German cruiser Goeben and
Breslau. the Turks would necessarily
continue under the Nomination Of
the Germans.