The Washington times., 1917-10-29
ITAL YB PASSING
DLFFICUL TPERIOD,
BAKER DECLARES

Admitting that important develop
msnts appear to be Impending in all
Of the war theatsrs, Secretary OF War
Newton D. Baker, in his weekly re-
view Of the situation. today expresses
the utmost confidence in the ultimate
outcome.
He declares that the Germans are
suffering severely.
Most significant of all. however, IL
the Secretary's comments on the
seemingly sweeping victories OF the
Austro-German hordes under com
mand OF King Charles Of Austria and
Field Marshal Won Mackensen over
the Italians.
With the frank admission that
ITALY is passing through q difficult
moment" the Secretary maker the
following reassurlng statement:
Recalls May. 1915.
1--WE must remember that in May,
1915, the Austrians attempted q simi-
Oar onslaught They had hne weather.
a wei chosen terrain, and above all
the far superior nghting ability Of
their armies to rely upon. At that
time the Austrians won decided sue
cssses during the initial days OF the
fighting, and pressed on to the edge
Of the ItaIIan plain, only TO be
stopped and driven back"
ThrouRhout the summary OF the
War Secretary sounds q note OF con
fdent optimism. His complete sum-
~ ~ Na aR foiioWR.
Renewed activity prevails In all
theaters OF war.
important Developments would
appear to be impending.
"AlonR the western. eastern, and
italian fronts, in Macedonia, Rouma-
mia. Mesopotamia, and even in East
Africa, significant operations are in
progress
Relentless British Attacks.
The two outstanding features OF
the situation OF the week are the re-
IentIess British offensive In the Ypres
salient, resulting in substantial gains
of terrain OF important strategic
value, and the sudden well aimed and
thrust Of the French north
of the Aisne.
at ts evident that the allied drives
along the western front are broaden
ing in scope and intensity. The
whole front, from the Houthulst
Wood through the Passchendaele
Ridge southwark to Lens. and on to
the Aisne, is becoming the scene OF
heavy allied pressure,
which the enemy is withstanding
with difficulty.
side by side the French and Brit
Ish are pushing on through the Flem-
Ish lowlands toward Roulers.
The enemy. believing he might
lind a rift In the otherwise impreg-
1able allied line at the point OF juno.
lion between the Franco-British
forces, directed repeated heavy coun-
Ter attacks in this segment These
we're repulsed.
Seeks Tactical advantage.
while the British attacks during
he past week have been carried out
With imposing effectiveness, IL Is
apparent that the British command IL
in order to gain import
mt tAtical advantages at a minimum
.ost.
The casualties to the enemy are
Using steadily.
SLOWLY the allies are enlarainE
heir gains in Flanders, driving into
he heart of German resistance In the
Vest.
The German armies fight on stub
'orniy. II any further evidence Of
llied superiority be needed, II seems
o be supplied by the decisive success
. won by the French during the
asst week.
This offensive was launched on q
iI-mile front near the west end OF
he Chemin des Danes at dawn Of
)ctober %.
General Petain so well masked his
PREPARATIONS that the enemy was
AIKEN by surprise as to the exact
errain chosen for the attack, and was
before being able to or. 1
'anize a concentrated resistance.
Driven Back Two Miles.
The German lines were penetrated
o q depth Of well over two miles at (
ne point.
This first attack was Immediately
ollowed by q second assault In this q
anne sector, crowned with full sue
ess.
"In three days nghting the French
ave taken 1900 prisoners, 100 guns ]
{ large caliber, and a great quantity q
other booty not yet enumerated. !
The possession of the captured q