The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-02-04

the enemy himself.
Reviewing operations for the week
ending Feb. 2. Secretary Baker says:
American troops which have now
completed their training are occupy
ing portion of the actual battle front.
The operations in which our troops
have SO far been engaged were of a
minor character.
"On Jan. 80 the Germans attempted
strongly pushed raid against our
line for purposes of Identification. I'm
der cover of a heavy mist the enemy
was able to geach our advanced posi-
tons. A short brush ensued and the
raiders were compelled to withdraw
in haste, after inf1icting slight casual
ties.
Only Minor Brushes Thus Far.
1.-TWO days later the enemy appar
emily attempted another reconnoiter-
ing thrust, but was dispersed before
any headway could be made.
"Our patrols have been active in No
Mans Land and our scouts have made
themselves familiar with the details of
the hostile positions opposite them.
Another event of importance took
place in France. The interallied SUI
preme war council met at Versailles,
attended by Gen. Bliss, chief of staff
of the army. and Gen. Pershing, as
We'll dS tHc representatives VI
Great Britain and Italy. Complete
and close cooperation between the al
lies and ourselves and a harmonious
understanding between the supreme
commands of all the forces engaged
promises to show positive results.
During the past seven-day period
the world has been flooded with the
news Of very serious internal unrest
in Germany. Widespread strikes
mr. tir4. u
ported. While dissatisfaction is no
doubt rife in Germany and strikes of
increasing seriousness have occurred,
we must not allow any reported dis
turhance within the German empire
to affect the effectiveness or speed of
our own preparations.
Concentrations Continued.
"During the week hostile concen-
trations in the west continued. In
certain quarters the reports spread.by
the enemy that he holds a preponder- |
ant numerical superiority in the west
have gained some credence. While |
positive proof has been received that |
the enemy has removed troops from !
the eastern theater, and is stripping |
other fronts for the coming struggle |
in the west, nevertheless the allies are |
believed still to hold very apprecia- |
BILE numerical superiority both in men
and guns
"In the British theater numerous
raids took place. South of Lens and !
northeast of Langemarck. as well as
south of the Scarpe, the Germans sent
out accommodating detacmnents. The
British forces were also busily en-
gagged sounding the enemy line, iden-
tifying new units, taking measure of
the value of the new contingents which
are arriving along the German line in
the west from other theaters. North
east of Havrincourt and near Ephey,
British patrols brought In prisoners.
Hostile artillery kept up heavy
fire throughout the week in the YpreS /
and Cambrai salients. Passchendaele
was the scene of very lively shelling
and the regions of Arras and Lens
we're also principal targets for the
Germans.
"The French were also busy raiding
the enemy and kept careful outlook
along their entire front. Opposite the
French, the Germans confined oper-
atoms to minor raids north of the
Aisne and upper Alsace.
Air Raids on Large Scale.
"Profiting by the favorable atmos-
oheric conditions which prevailed, air (
aids on a large scale were under I
aiken. The British successfully bombed
.ailway centers in Flanders and air
|
lition plants and other military OBJ
ectives in the Rhine area. London
md Paris, as well as Dunkirk,. Calais
md Boulogne were visited by hostile
Lircraft
"Tn Italy a further improvement in
he combat situation Is noted. The
Italians were very successful in fol-
owing up their plans to regain points
f particular strategic importance
long their battle front.
"As a counterpart of the French as
ault in the region of the Monte !
'omba. the Italians early in the week r
aunched powerful offensive thrust,
gainst the Austrian positions along q
he Asiago plateau. This attack was 9
irected against the strongly en- . 6
enemy position in the region
etween the Frenzela and the Brenta.
"The Italians succeeded in capturing q
he hostile strongholds of the impor- 8
ant peaks of the Col Del Rosso and
he Monte Di Val Bella, which re-
ulted in an appreciable advance of the (
talian line in this area, the capture of r
DO officers. $500 men and a large guam
ty of munitions. BY this very fortu-
ate operation the Italians were able
, regain the important ground lost in q
MS area in December and their hold V
n their positions is rendered more s.
ecure. Ii
Austrian Reaction Prompt. n
austrian reaction was prompt. An a
ssault against the new italian position ir
\ the Monte Di Val Bella was under a
ken. The attacking forces were | a
opped and the Italians Immediately n
rove a fierce counter-attack and in a
cted further serious casualties on the :,
iemy. Patrol encounters took place "
the Val d'Astico and in the Val ~
uidicaria a hostile raiding party was
-iven off by hand grenades.
"Along the Balkan front a renewed 81
;tivity is recorded. Patrol encoun- W
rs took place west OF Lake Doiran. II
ritish and Serb detachments raided r
nlgarian positions and enemy con- OF