The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-03-29
BIG DRIVE IS NOW
NOT LOOKED FOR
Hun Massing Of Men Believed
For Defense.
HIS LINES C0NGEsTED
Weekly Review Tells OF Constant Ac-
tivity OF Americans On Five
Fronts-No Major Operations
On The West AS Yet.

observers have reached the conclusion
that Germany's constant massing of
men on the Western front is for de-
Tense and that the long-heralded leu
tonic offensive never will materiailze
unless it develops as defensive meas
ure against the growing pressure of
the Allied and American lines.
This view, held for weeks by some
officers, was expressed officially in the
War Departments weekly review of
operations at the battle fronts. Fresh
German divisions are reported arriv-
ing in the West, the review says, and
the density of the enemy forces has
nearly reached the point where con-
gestion of lines of communication may
interfere with fexibility CT maneuver.
The review records the first unas-
sisted American assault upon the Ger
mans, the trench raid at dawn of
March II, when the enemy was driven
out and his position penetrated for 300
yards. The Americans are now in the
trenches along the Allied line at five
different points and are reported con-
stantly active.
Referring to Secretary Bakers ar.
rival in France, the review says he has
had interviews with the principal
French authorities, and is about to I'm.
oil 10 f,,li two of
lean schools, training areas, rest
camps and sectors at the front.
The statement follows:
''The period of inactivity in the
West is being prolonged.
Though the raids now taking place
would in the past have been consid.
cred important engagements, never.
theless, owing to the fact that they
are merely of minor tactical value,
they cannot be held to be major op-
erations.
while hostile preparations for an
offensive in the West are not slacken.
ing it is becoming more evident that
The enemy will launch this offensive
only if compelled to do so by the ex-
igencies of the general strategic situa-
ton
While fresh German divisions are
reported as arriving in the West, it is
enemy forces has nearly reached a
point beyond which it will be imprac-
ticable to go, for should any large ad-
ditional body of men be massed, the
chances are that the congestion of the
lines of communication will become
so great as to make it impossible to
maintain the fexibility of maneuver
which is so essential.
Our own forces in France have
been constantly in action.
Our troops are now in the trenches
at five different points.
This week we undertook our first
assault against German positions IN.
assisted by any Allied contingent
cat dawn on March II, after a pre-,
liminary bombardment lasting three
quarters of an hour, we drove highly
successful raid against German
trench segment. Our men penetrated
the German line to a depth of 800
yards. The enemy was driven off
after hand-to-hand fight, whereupon
our contingent returned to our lines.
"At three places in Lorraine Ameri.
can troops acting in cooperation with
small French detachments, raided Ger.
man trenches. Two of these operations
were carried out simultaneously, each
on frontage of some 800 yards. After
a prolonged bombardment the attack
ing units were able to reach their OBJ.
jectives. Few of the enemy were
found in the first line trenches and
the attackers swept forward into the
German second line. Our men re-
manned for nearly an hour in the Ger
man positions, and retired after in
flicting much damage and capturing a
considerable quantity of material.
There has been a decided increase
in snipirg,
I'VE kept up vigorous lombard
ment on the rear areas opposite our
Toul sector.
Near the Swiss border, where an
other detachment of our men are in
the trenches, hostile bombardments
were frequent.
1.-THE arrival of our SECRETARY of
War in France is noted. During the
past week the Secretary has had in
terviews with the leading French au-
thorities and is about to undertake
careful inspection of our schools, train.
ing areas, rest camps, as well as those
sectors of the front where our forces
are in action.
"The Western front, from the North
Sea to the Aisne. was the scene OF
much hard fighting.
THE Germans carried out number
i 7 7 ~