Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-29
SUBMARINE WAR
WILL BE DIRECTED
AGAINST PERSHING
Secretary Baker Says Kaiser
will Start UnderSea Often
SiVe Against American Lines
of Communication

WASHINGTON, Jan 2S-Warning
that the Germans are preparing for a
great submarine offensive against the
American lines of communication with
France, in connection with the impend-
ing Teutonic drive against the west
front is given by Secretary Baker in his
weekly military review. made public
last night by the war department.
Recently there has been a marked de-
crease in the number of allied merchant
ships sunk by submarines. The eXpla-
nation for this is found in the with
drawal of submarines in preparation for
the coming thrust on land and sea.
The review says:
AS the time draws near when once
again the enemy will endeavor to strike
a decisive blow in the west, it must be
emphasized that he will not be content
with mere military operations on a
large scale.
During the past fortnight enemy
submarines have been recalled to home
ports to be reftted. and the most pow
erful submarine offensive hitherto I'M
dertaken may be expected to be launch
ed against our lines of communication
with France, to interrupt the steady
armies and food supplies for the allies.
Activity in West
During the period under review re-
newed activity along the entire western
front is noted.
The region bordering the North sea
has once again become the scene of Sc
we're fighting.
"A carefully co-ordinated operation
undertaken by British monitors, acting
in concert with land batteries in the
area north of Ypres, subjected the Ger
man defenses of Ostend and surround
ing country to a severe bombardment.
NO infantry action was attempted
in this sector by the British, but later
in the week the Germans reacted sharp
~ and directed a strong assault against
the short sector of the line in the dune
area, which fringes the coast in the
vicinity of Newport. This attack,
which must be considered something
more than a simple raid, broke into the
French lines and, for a brief period, the
enemy detachments were able to hold
their ground in the advanced French
outposts The French speedily brought
up fresh forces, drove out the enemy
and were able to re-establish themselves
in their former positions without diff
Guilty.
'In the italian theater the Importance
Of the successful French assault in the
region of the Monte Tomba three weeks
ago is proven by the retreat of the enc
my in this area
Abandon Attack
THE enemy has abandoned an extern
sive tract of terrain north of the Monte
Tomba. extending to the Piave The
Austrian lines now rest on the Monte
Spinoncia.
ct would appear that the enemy has
for the time being abandoned his al
tempt to break through this channel {
the plain.
'The Austrians. while still strong in
this sector. nevertheless no longer di-
rectly threaten the key positions of the
Italian line. Increasing livelinesS of
enemy artillery in the Val Lagarina is
recorded. 1t is apparent that the Aus
TRANS are carrying out their plans of
shifting their center of attack further
to the west
THE Val Lagarina offers peculiar at
traction for an invasion Of Italy. 1t is
a classic path of invaders coming from
the north. We may expect, that should
the opportunity seem favorable; the en-
envy may attempt an operation in this
area.
Reports reach us Of the increasing
restiveness of the Slav population of
Austria, more particularly the Czeehs.
THE general strike in Vienna and
other upheavals throughout the mon
archy are assuming serious proportions
and they are no longer to be held OF
mere internal interest, but will newt
ably react on the general political sit
uation.
"In Russia peace negotiations have
continued with frequent Interruptions.
en- Palestine the British are extend
ing their line to the north and during
a week advanced further in the neigh
borhood of Durah on a frontage of ap-
four miles.
'"The victory of the British over the
Turkish naval forces off the Dadanelles
must he mentioned as an event of es-
pecial military significance.
observers coming from CONSTANT
NOBLE very recently Informed us as long
as Constantinople remained under the
runs of the former German cruisers
Goeben and Breslau the Turks would
necessarily continue under the DONNA
ton of the Germans.
1t Is the belief of officials here that
the miIitarist party in Germany is des-
perate to accomplish great victory
of some kind that the growing peace
cries of the people may be overwhelmed
with cheering for the victors.
As significant it is pointed out again,
that the Junker newspapers, are once
more threatening that Hindenburg and
I.udendorff--the war idols of Germany
are thinking of resiEning because of
the anti-war clamor. This threat has
been successfully worked before by the
Junkers-but il is being called upon
with increasing frequency to still the
internal unrest.