New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-14
Morale of Forces Under
mined by Agents Propa-
ganda, He Asserts
Praises u. S. Troops
Americans Behaved Splendid
ly, Secretary Says in Review
ing European Situation

Of GermaRy's political ofensives'
against Russia and Italy upon the task
ahead of the Allies is recognized in
Secretary Bakers weekly review of
military operations issued to-day by
the War Department.
1.-THE close interelation Of events on
all fronts cannot too frequently be en-
phasized," says the review.
"The political situation in Russia
made it possible for the enemy to de-
tach important contingents in the East
which were speedily transported TO the
Italian front.
at is not unlikely that before initia-
ting their powerful drive against the
Italian forces the enemy made pains
taking and systematic attempts to un-
dermine the morale of the Italian
troops, with view to breaking down
their resisting power.
This carefully planned political Of
fensive conducted preparatory to their
military offensive reveals clearly the
present methods of the Germans.
Surveying the broader aspects OF
the European situation to-day, we find
that the enemy in the East is combining
his efforts TO political propaganda.
Along the Italian sector he has re-
Gently made desperate attempts 10 Sc
cure a decision by means of politlco-
military drive. In the West, while at
tempting 20 sap the fighting strength
- f..1 10 " o.
has now been compelled 70 act on the
defensive and is being slowly but sure
ly driven back.
The Russian Situation
at should be\ borne in mind. how
ever, that the further disintegrat'on OF
the Russinn forces will mean that the
Germans viii be able TO thin out their
line along this front, which Will thus
automatically contribute 20 the stiffen-
ing of their resistance In the West. as
we'll as render available added contin-
gents TO take part in the engagements
now proceeding in Italy.
During the week just closed both
the British and French were able TO
record significant tactical gains, the
elimination of long series OF power
fully driven offences.
with Pas schendaele securely in Brit
ish hands, the first stage Of the opera
tions begun during the last week OF
September has been brought to sue
cessful conclusion.
"The French counterpart o. the Brit
ish success took place north OF the
Aisne. Here the retreat Of the enemy
anticipated last week was carried out.
The pressure Of the French offensive
which has, grown slowly and methodi-
cally i'm volume and intensity, reached
n climax when, by the recent French
advance in this sector, they were en-
abled to enflade the German lines along
the crest of the Chemin-de s-Dames.
"For the last three years the pres
ence of the enemy on this ridge mad
beeu source OF anxiety TO the French.
To dislodge them was principal OBJ
iective OF the repeated offenslves devel-
oped by General Petain since last April
The sudden forced evacuation Of some
forty square miles Of the most important
terrain in this sector of the Western
front has been the tangible result
achieved.
An Important Advance
1.-THE importance Of this successful
French advance must not be over
looked. Il means more than mere
gain of so many square miles Of terri
tory; it means the penetration Of the
powerfully fortified Siegfried line, hith-
erto considered by the enemy impreg-
nable, and pushes back his main de-
fensive positions to within five miles
of the fortress of Laon, the major OBJ
jective.
an the sector where a small detach-
ment of our troops had taken up their
places in the trenches as part OF
their training, the enemy Gas Is Gus
tomarv in trench warfare when fresh
troops are believed TO have taken
places in front line trenches for recon-
noissance purposes) executed a well
MANNED raid and succeeded in tempo
rarily penetrating the short segment OF
the line held by our forces, iniicting
a few casualties and taking prisoners
"a unit OF artillery, also in the
course OF it's training, came in contact
with the enemy and acquitted itself
very creditably in this first encounter.
ain Italy the situation is developing
as normally as can be expected under
/ the circumstances.
Italians Now Orderly
| For the time DelnS II WOulu DC VI
{ little avail 10 endeavor to seek for the
! contributing causes Of the successes
/ gained by the Austro-German forces
/ which have resulted in their incursion
/ into Italy.
1.-THE Italian retreat, somewhat con-
! fused in its earlier stages, has now
/ become more orderly, and the retire
ment of the main forces of the Italian
armies during tie week continued unin-
| terrupted.
"The lire of tho Tagliamento River
was held by the Italians long enough
/ TO insure the safe retirement OF large
/ bodies of troops. This line has now
, been abandoned and the enemy, pene,
! trating the Venetian plain, has reached
/ LivenZa.
"The Italians are continuing their ef'
forts to contain the advancing Austro'
l German forces"