Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-22
BOTH SIDES READY
FOR BIC DRIVE IN
WEST, BAKER SAYS
Secretary Praises Work of
Americans on Firing Line
and Reviews Operations of
the Various War Fronts

WASHINGTON, Feb 2o.-After exten.
ically carried on, it is apparent that
both the Germans and the allies are
ready for the long expected offensive in
the west, says Secretary Baker today
in his review of military operations for
the week ending February 16
while there have been outwardly no
new developments in the military situa-
ton in the west during the period un-
der review" says the secretary's COM
munique, yet it is apparent that both
the enemy and the allies, after extensive
preparations which have been silently
and Systematically carried on. are ready
for battle.
THE Germans have recently with
drawn a number of their veteran west
front units from the first line trenches
and are busy training them in mobile
warfare
According to advices received the
German general staff hopes that by
massing a large number of these pick
ed shock battlaions which have been in
tSllSlFely lFdlHeu, IHSS may denver
smashing blow.
Numbers Are Unframed
THE bulk of the German forces are
now assembled in the west. But q large
number of these units are wholly I'M
trained in the method of the western
front warfare which differs radically
from that conducted along other fronts
/ Furthermore, the German higher COM
mand realizes fully that their forces
will meet with far more difficult tacti-
cal obstacles than any hitherto en-
countered by an attacking army.
| break through was possible in Russia
only after the morale of the Russians
had been undermined; the same was
true in Italy. and we witnessed how
speedily the Italian line was mended.
/ During the week there has been
much activity Of a minor character
along the entire western front
/ AS has already been announced, in
! Lorraine a segment of the line is en-
| tirely under the control of our forces
| Along our front, patrol encounters are
| numerous. The Germans undertook
| raid against our positions and succeed
| ed in inflicting a few casualties. a small
American patrol, while scouting in No
Mans Land, was ambushed by the en-
! envy.
| The weather was very rainy during
| the first part of the week and our troops
| were busy manning the pumps in an eff
| fort to keep their trenches dry Later
! clear weather prevailed and hostile air
craft made frequent flights to recon-
noitre our positions. a marked improve.
ment in anti-aircraft barrage is reported
Artillery duels took place and the Ger
! mans showered our lines with gas shells
| which, however, caused no casualties
! owing to efficient gas mask protection
I'm Champagne, units of American
artillery participated in an engagement
undertaken by French forces. This op-
Grafton was the most important of the
week in the west. After very careful
artillery preparation, during which our
batteries co-operated usefully, French
infantry advanced to the assault south
west of the Butte du Mesni, along a
front of about 1,400 yards. The French
succeeded in penetrating the German
positions, broke through the second, and
reached the third German line. During
this brisk attack the French destroyed
many enemy shelters, inflicted much
damage to enemy positions, besides
bringing back $50 prisoners.
"Other successful raids were under
taken by French detachments in the
vicinity of the Chemin des Danes, east
of Rheims, in upper Alsace, and else
where. In all the French drove forward
twelve very fortunate reconnaissance
undertakings along different parts of the
/ line.
German units were Also active Their
attempts to reach the French lines were
I temporarily successful IN the vicinity
! of BezonvauX and in Alsace. However
seven German raids at various other
points broke down. French artillery kept
the enemy constantly engaged along a
widely scattered area
On the British Front
The British front was also the scene
/ of numerous minor engagements. No i'm
portant actions took place, and the enc
my, VINO was evidently busy with the
grouping of units and d.sposing fresh
! forces recently arrived from other thea
! ters, in the front line undertook only
| such accommodating engagements as to
| familiariZe the new units with the
ture of the terrain in front of them.
I'm the Italian theater the enemy has
again assumed an aggressive attitude.
| THE concentration of an important
| body of German cavalry in the vicinity
| of Riga is noted and it is believed that
! the Germans may find it expedient to
| advance on Petrograd. 1t is difficult to
determine the exact status of affairs in
! southwestern Russia The Russian con-
/ tingents are evacuating the Armenian
centers south of the Black sea which
are being reoccupied by Turkish de-
! tachments Trebizond will probably soon
( fall into Turkish hands.
1T is important to record that large
/ Contingents Of Arabs are joining the
/ forces of the Shek of Mecca who is CO.
| operating with the British.
''The Arabs have defeated the Turks
in two encounters. occupied El Mazreh.