South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-10
WHOLE FORCE
Of GERMANY
NOW IN WEST
Skeleton Divisions Are Hold
ing East Front Under Arm
iStiCe While Veterans Fight
in Italy and France.
international News Service:

I
WASHINGTON. Dec 10. - Only
skeleton divisions" of German
troops now are on the Russian front.
All veteran units now are concen-
trated on the western front. accord
! ing 10 the weekly review Of war
conditions issued today by Sec'y Of
War Baker The British. however,
the secretary says. have now con-
solidated all of their lines and the
--estern front can he expected to
Withstand any new assaults.
The enemy realizes that he finds
himself temporarily in a singularly
10, tunate position. and he can be
counted upon 10 take the utmost
advantage Of il" says the review.
THE magnitude Of the task before
US can be more fully realized when
treasured by the success which the
enemy is still able TO gain.
1T means that we must speed mp
our military effort. The united ma
ton must stand squarely behind our
soldiers
Tt is not sufficient to prepare 70
fight: We must prepare TO win.
Winter Activity Unusual.
Though during the preceding
winters OF the war the belligerents
al this advanced season of the year
had been content to hold the posi-
tors won. waiting for the more
favorab BILE weather of early spring 10
continue operations, this year the
western front is the scene of,numer-
Gus engagem
During the period under review
the enemy has been very active
along this entire front Three hos
tile raids were executed southwest
OF LaBassee.
The German counter offensive in
the Cambria area was followed up
with increasing energy throughout
the week.
Compel Retirement.
AS a result of the extremely
heavy hostile pressure eXerted along
the eastern and western TANKS of
the new salient, the Germans were
able 70 compel the retirement Of the
British, causing the loss of a Ger
tain area Of the terrain, less than
one-third Of that gained by the vic
torious British offensive OF Nov. 20.
II would appear that the enemy fully
expected 10 break through on a
broad front. In this the Germans.
i'm spite of their persevering efforts
were unsuccessful. II is believed
that the REIMBURSEMENT OF the British
line will permit them 70 hold on to
their new positions In the face Of
i'rther attacks The retirement OF
British forces was executed with
great skill and was carried out with
relatively small losses
Italians Captured.
In the Italian theater after
week OF intensive artillery prepare
tion in the region of the Asiago
plateau. the enemy launched well
planned offensive. which partially
penetrated the italian line. After
desperate lighting, the Austro-Ger-
man forces. taking advantage Of the
terrain gained by a series OF power
ful frontal attacks along a siX-mile
stretch on the south slope Of the
Monte Castel Gomberto, were able
10 break through locally and cap
tured relative large number Of
prisoners.
The Austro- German forces are
making desperate attempts 70 de
bouch through the lateral valleys
# Frenzela and Gadena leading 10
the main Brenta valley and the
plains below. Enemy concentrations
are extremely heavy in this area,
and IL viii require the full energy
Of the forces assembled here 70
check further hostile advance
ArmiStice in Fast
our declaration or war against
Austria Hungary now associates rs
intimately with the struggle going
on in Italy.
In the eastern theater the pres
ent Russian government has enter
I'd upon an armistice with the
enemy. which includes the entire
Russian front from the Baltic 10 the
Black sea, as well as the region Of
the Caucasus
The Roumanian armies while re-
pudiating all attempts by the enemy
10 fraternize with them. have been
by force Of circumstances compelled
20 accept the proposals for a truce.
The armistice is 70 remain in force
! until Dec L.