Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 216, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1917 — Baker Issues First Official Report On War Situation. [ARTICLE]

Baker Issues First Official Report On War Situation.

Washington, Sept. 26.—The American government’s first official statement concerning military operations in Europe was issued tonight by Sec 7 retary Baker, inaugurating a seriefe which in time will be devoted larged ly to activities of the United States expeditionary forces. It says that while ascendency on the west frqnt has passed definitely to the allies, they are content merely to wear down the enemy until the force of the American army makes itself felt in the field. Operations for the week ending Sept. 22 are reviewed by Mr. Baker without reference to the American force now in France. The sta ~* ment follows: , “As the time draws near wht : military operations on a large scale on the western front must come to a standstill, owing to the approach of winter, it .becomes evident that the enemy does not feel himself in a position to undertake the much advertised offensive action so often boasted of at home during the past s mimer, in order to end the war victaiously by Christmas. “It may be stated affirmatively that the ascendency in the west has passed definitely to the allies, though the latter are content by tactics of attrition to wear down the enemy, giving no rest or respite until such time as the force of our army may make itself felt in the field. “The week just closed has been one of increased activity on the part of the allies on the western front, and may be taken as a presage of what the enemy is to expect next spring. Beginning with desultory artillery fire along a broad front which gradually narrowed down to an intense bombardment along what is knowiv, as the Anzac ridge, about one mile southwest of Zonnebeke southward through Queen’s wood to the Ypres Menin road, the British increased their artillery preparation to a density hitherto unattained.”