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Show AMERICAN WAR i j Secretary Baker Tells of the Allies Having Gained the Ascendancy. WASHINGTON, Sept. 27. The American government's first official j statement concerning military opera- j tions in Europo was issued last night by Secretary Baker, inaugurating a series which in time will bo devoted largely to activities of the United States expeditionary forces. It says that while ascendancy on the western front has passed definitely to the .allies, .al-lies, 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 September Sep-tember 22 are reviewed by Mr. Baker without reference to the American force now In France. The statement follows: "The secretary of war authorizes the following statement dealing with j military activities In Europe for the week ending September 22: "As the time draws near when military mili-tary operations on a large scale on tho I -western front must come to a stand-I stand-I still, owing to the approach of win-, win-, ter, it becomes evident that the enomy does not feel himself In a position , to undertake tho much advertised offensive of-fensive action so often boasted of at home during the past summer, in order or-der to end tho war victoriously by Christmas. "It may bo stated affirmatively that the ascendancy in the west has passed definitely to the allies, although the latter are content by tactics of attrition attri-tion to wear down tho enemy, giving no rest or respite until such a time as the force of our army may make itself felt in the field, i "The week Just closed has been one j of increased activity on tho part of the ; allies on the western front and may ; be taken as a presage of what the i enemy is to expect next spring. "Beginning with desultory artillery fire along a broad front which gradu- ally narrowed down to an Intense bombardment bom-bardment along what is known as tho Anzac ridge, about one mile Bouthwest of Zonnebeke, southward through Nun's wood to tho Ypres-Menln road, tho British increased their artillery preparation to a density hitherto un-attalned. un-attalned. "Tho early days of tho week wore I marked by wet, foggy weather, mak-I mak-I lng artillery observation difficult and any offensive undertaking almost Impossible. Im-possible. Barrage Is Increased. "Tho weather having cleared by Thursday, Septomber 20, tho British launched their attack. Tho infantry advance was proceded by a barrage of greater depth and intensity than has ever before been undertaken in any engagement during tho course of the war. Five distinct curtains of firo were stretched ahead of the men as thoy began to advance through No Man's land. "In spite of the desperate resistance of tho enemy, whose lines were protected pro-tected by concrete dugouts scattored over a wide area nnd deep mud holes, which Impeded tho attacking infantry, infan-try, the British wero ablo to gain important im-portant tactical positions. "In tho face of six counter-attacks pushed homo vigorously by tho enemy, ene-my, the British remained in full possession pos-session of tho captured objectives, which they still hold. x "In other sectors of the western front thore have been trench raids on a largo scale and general activity of some Importance. Diversions Broken Down. "While tho British wore busily engaged en-gaged In breaking down tho enemy resistance re-sistance in Flanders, the Germans attempted at-tempted minor diversions along tho French line, particularly northeast of Nancy, which wero repulsed. "East of Craonnc tho French artillery artil-lery broke up an attempted German attack at-tack whllo French detachments pone-itrated pone-itrated Gorman trenches, destroyed dugouts and brought back prisoners In tho region of Godat. "Tho week has witnessed great activity ac-tivity in tho air. During two days French bombing expeditions dropped 33,000 pounds of projectiles on enemy territory, including tho barracks and factories at Stuttgart and the aviation camp at Colmar, as well as bnses south of Metz. "One of tho significant Incidents of the week, as demonstrating tho Increased In-creased lmportanco of aircraft, Is reported re-ported by tho British. An airplane dispersed dis-persed a battalion of enemy Infantry by turning Its machine gun on the men as they were proceeding along a highway in tho roar. "Along the Italian front tho activo operations of the preceding week 'have come to a temporary stop. The victorious Italian armies are resting after tho groat efforts of having conquered con-quered the Monto San Gabrlele. "The Austrlans attempted several strong counter-attacks against the Bainslzza plateau, all of which were repulsed. "Reports to hand Indicate that the Austrlans have made use of twenty and one-half divisions during tho recent re-cent Italian assault along tho Carso front, holding only one division In reserve. re-serve. "Advices from Russia Indicate that fighting continues In the northern sector. sec-tor. ''Lato reports show that the Germans Ger-mans are continuing their offensive and aro now threatening Dvinsk. "Tho Dvlna has been crossed twon-ty-flvo miles southeast of Jacobstadt and this fortress, which has been evacuated evac-uated by the Russlnns, has fallen into the hands of the enomy. "Though a wide breach In this front may seriously endanger the Russian lino, it must be recalled that tho German Ger-man advance must come to an end, owing to tho lateness of the session. "News from Russia is delayed, but indications are that the Russian resistance re-sistance is stiffening. "Along tho Rumanian front no Important Im-portant action has taken place. Scouting Scout-ing expeditions aro reported with occasional oc-casional nrtlllory duels. "In tho valley of tho Suchitza after a prolonged artillery preparation, tho Rumanians attacked and occupied certain cer-tain enemy fortified positions. Counter-attacks by tho enomy woro repulsed. re-pulsed. "There has been no change In tho situation along othor fronts." oo |