The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-13
BIG BATTLE COM|Ne.
OFFENSIVE BY GERMANS MAY
COME DURING WEEK.
In Military Review Secretary Baker
Expresses Appreciation to British
for Saving Soldiers on Tuscanla-
Americans Fitted for Trench War;
fare.

Washington, Feb. 10.-Develop-
ment of Germanys long deferred Of
fensive In the West from the recon
noiterng thrusts launched during the
past week around Cambria and at
other points is suggested as q possi-
bility in the weekly military review
issued tonight by the war department.
So far. however. in spite of heavy
fighting. the department says no ac-
tions of more than local character
have been recorded.
The review tells of the torpedoing
OF the liner Tuscania, which carried
more than 2.100 American soldiers
and attributes the relatively small loss
OF life. estimated at about 113 men
to the fine discipline OF the soldiers
and efficiency OF those in command.
Describing briefly the activities of
the American troops occupying a sec
tor of the Lorraine front, the depart
ment says they have shown them
selves well fitted for their task and
are rapidly becoming accustomed to
trench warfare.
The review says i'm part:
AT dusk on the evening OF Feb
ruary 5. off the Irish coast q torpedo
launched from an enemy submarine
struck the conveyed liner Tuscania,
having on board American troops. Our
loss at the latest report appears to
be approximately 113 men.
The fine discipline of the men and
the efficient handling Of a difficult
situation by those in command con-
tributed to account for these rela-
lively slight casualties.
"At the same time. we must express
our profound appreciation for the
splendid work of the British navy in
rescuing our forces.
AT the small ports of Ireland and
Scotland where our troops were land
cd. they met with a most warmheart-
ed reception ON the part of the peo-
pie, who did all in their power to ad-
minister every comfort and care.
THE sector in Lorraine where our
forces are i'm contact with the enemy
continued relatively active through
out the week. Artillery duels took
place internationally. but fog and
heavy rains prevented infantry en-
gagements. The Germans attempted
no further raids. and settled down to
systematic sniping and bombing OF
our positions.
Our sharpshooters gave a good ac-
count OF themselves. keeping the en-
emy parapets well cleared of Ger
mans.
"One stretch of our line is very close
up to the Germans positions. Here
bombing and frequent exchange OF
hand grenades occurred.
German aeroplanes made repeated
attempts to push their accommodating
sallies over our lines. but were inva-
riably met with hot fire.
Our forces engaged have shown
themselves we'll fitted for their tasks
In the trenches and are rapidly be-
coming accustomed to the routine o.
trench warfare. The welfare of our
troops, whether in the trenches or i'm
rest depots, is the object OF the i'm
mediate personal concern of all our
commanders. The rations for the men
In the trenches. in spite of the enc.
my's attempts to break up our trans
port columns. have been regularly as
sured. The care OF our wounded at
our field dressing stations as well as
at our base hospitals is being car
ried out with efficiency and scientific
skill.
Here i'm America at our canton
ments the training OF our now armies
~ proceeding methodically.
The arrival in the Western the
ater OF additional German forces com
ing originally from the Russian from,
~ noted. Further Austrian divisions
have also been detached from other
zones OF operations and are being
concentrated In reserve behind the
German lines in the West.
Much dissatisfaction is exprcsscd
throughout Austria Hungary at the
policy of dispatching their troops TO
tight Germany's battles along tho
Western front
The desire for peace is Increasing
daily i'm the dual monarchy. and il is
only natural that the Aus,rians
should resent sacrificing their forcct
on distant battlcnelds in the further
onCc of German ambitions.