New-York tribune., 1918-02-25
Pershing's Men
Assuming More i.
important Role
Their Part in Operations Is
Constantly Increasing,
Baker Reports

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Incrcasing
~ important activity by the American
lorces on the Western front, and the
return for rest at leave station of
the men who have completed their first
period OF duty in the trenches oro
ho'ea IN this weeks review Of military
operations by the War Department.
IN the news of the renewed German
offensive against the Russians. tbn
most important development Of the
week. the department finds no cause
Tor surprise, but adds nothing to in.
formation carried in press dispatches
ne review was written before the an
r0uncement came from London than
'he bolshevlki had accepted Germanv's
peace terms.
or the Western front the review
says:
While no major ,dertakings were
recorded in the West, yet the entire
'front.' was the scene Of hard driven as
sauits OF minor character.
enterprises Carried Out
our own forces are taking an in
creas'ngly important part in tho onora-
'lons' Last week we recorded the par
Vclpation of our artillery in the yerv
successful thrust made by the French
IN the region of the Butte du Mesn;l
This week the presence of our infan-
try in very important area of the
Chemin- -des-Damcs is reported. Here
our patrols have been outside our
barbed wire and have undertaken q
number of scouting expeditions in No
Mans Land, which were succcssfullv
carried through
AT the time our detachments were
coming up into the trenches they were
under heavy hostile shell fire; never
theless, our men made their way to
their stations without confusion or
casualties. 1t is useful to note that our
forces now in action in this one of
the most active sectors of the entire
French front have acquitted themselves
very crcditably
During the week General Pershing
made a personal inspection of the
American sector northwest of Toul. He
visited all our first line trenches, obser-
cation posts, battery emplacements and
other points Of interest. During the
two days spent on this tour, the COM
mander in chief came in close contact
with the men in the trenches, heard
their comments or comp Rlalnts, and
noted carefully all suggestions offered
to better the condition and welfare Of
our troops in action.
Rest Centres Planned
"Our men who have completed their
first period of duty in the trenches
have arrived at the leave centre estab-
lished at AK les Bains. This is the
first of a series of rest centres it is
proposed to establish where our men
can find rest and recreation after the
trying ordeal of trench life.
"Along the French front the enemy
reacted energcticaly in the region
southwest of the Butte du Mesnil.
After a sanguinary encounter the Ger
mans succeeded in regaining part of
the trenches lost last week. A further
attempt, in which three German bat
talions participated, was repulsed. In
third assault the Germans took 1875
prisoners, but the French forces re-
gained the lost positions after spir-
tied counter attack Our artillery par
ticipated in these operations.
"Artillery duels took place along the
entire front. A decided increase in
the intensity of bombardments was
noted.
"Thc British have taken over an adj
ditional segment of the French line
The transfer of an appreciabe mile
age of the front below St. Quentin was
made to the British without difficulty
or delay"