The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
WEEKLY WAR REVIEW.
WAR DEPARTMENT DISCUSSES
WAR FRONTS.
Germans Make Effort to Bring on De-
cisiyc Engagement i'm West I'm Opin.
ion OF Washington.

Washington. Dec 3.-An effort by
the Germans TO bring on q decisive
engagement on the Western front is
suggested in the war departments re-
view OF military operations for the
week ending December /, issued to-
night by Secretary Baker.
THE outstanding feature of the
general military situation today"
says the review. 'is to be found in the
ever increasing mobility of action Of
the forces engaged
Static warfare is giving way to ac-
tivity of movement.
1T seems that a decision is being
isought by the enemy, who realizes
that he can not endure for O. much
longer period the strain of trench war
fare imposed by the allies on the
West
This explains the effort of the GEN.
tral powers in massing considerable
forces in order to invade Italy-a con-
centration Of troops made possible by
the internal situation in Russia. This
offensive was undertaken to crush the
Italians and compel them to sue for
peace.
Five weeks of desperate fighting
has brought them no nearer their real
objective in this theater.
The Italian armies suffered serious
reverses in the early stages of the bat
tie. They were compelled 60 give way
and for time the military situation
along the Italian front was serious
But the enemy had uhderestimated
the resisting power Of the Italians and
discounted the splendid morale which
their forces would display when the
full magnitude Of the impending cri-
sis was visualized.
The hope for revolution in Italy,
which had been zealously fomented by
German propaganda and which was
an important part of German plan
of invasion failed to materialize.
"The Italians by a magnificent ef-
fort reorganized their broken forces,
rapidly reformed their Cadres and
backed by the allies were able, sin
gle handed. to check the Austro- Ger
man invasion.
'It would be futile to underestimate
the great losses. both Of men and
material. suffered by the Italians.
These losses should serve to set forth
in bolder relief the heroic efforts Of
there elements Of the Italian army
which were able to thwart the plans
Of the central empires.
The closing Of the Swiss frontier
for two weeks may indicate that the
enemy is transporting large forces
both men and guns. to the West.
The enemy is constantly detaching
large contingents from the Eastern
theater- All good troops which can
possibly be spared are being despatch
ed to other zones OF operations.
80 that. though the season is no,
propitious for engaging In military
on large scale, yet ow-
ing to the imperative necessity for q
Of this mobility further
onensives are to be anticipated.
"On the other hand the allies wi,,
give the enemy no respite and any Of
fcnsive undertaken by the Germana
VIII be promptly met by counter
stroke of greater severity.
The battle of Cambrai continue,
with sanguinary intensity.
The enemy after the first onrush
o' the British. by bringing up fresh
torces' has been able to bolster I'm his,
weakened defenses which for q ,;n
imperiled the security OF the ert;ro
line.
However. when the Cerm,,
recovered from the first blow and ,
able to stand their ground, no fur,bor
extensive gains of terrain by the Rri,
ism were to be anticipated.
Hostile reaction has been ex,r.
~ heavy and costly counteratt.c,,s
made by the enemy have enabled hin,
'o retake certain area, as well &C
occupy terrain southwest of tho ro,,.
salient.
THE situation along the 'Jto,,o
front IS rapidly becoming norma,
Enemy assaults in the northern GOO
tor are subsldng. Allied cooperation
has now firmly been established q,
measure relieving the Italians.
IN the Palestine theatcr of oper- |