The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-17
their hands after a brief encounter.
Palestine Gains Significant.

EhtcetlHe JHInS Significant.
The results achieved by the British
forces in Palestine are or significant
importance and will go far towards re-
affirming the prestige Of the allied
powers throughout the Orient.
Germany realizes the danger at-
E1endant upon the waning OF her in
nuence in the East and will therefore
be more anxious than ever to conclude
a speedy peace before the war map
becomes less favorable.
In the West engagements of in
icrensing scope and intensity took place.
Fighting of a local character occurred
IN she Cambria area, and the enemy
made several raids in the neighbour
hood OF La Bassee and Ypres.
"A successful accommodating thrust
IN the Camhrai salient was carried out
by a British detachment and resulted
IN the capture Of IN enemy outpost
east OF Boursies.
a hostile attack in force was
lat he'd between Bullecourt and
QueaEt. northwest of Cambria. and
succeeded in penetrating British posi-
lions. Fighting continues furious east
OF B~utlecourt. The persistence and in
creastng violence OF the German de-
structtve fire apparently indicates
that a further offensive is ccntem-
plated in this area. .
hostile artillery fire Of q lemon
strative character vas noted north
east Of Ypres, more especially in the
neighborhood OF ~Passchendaele.
Southeast OF polygon wood the en-
envy developed a strong reconnaissance
assault in the vicinity of P~olderhoek
plateau. He succeeded In gaining a
foothold in certain British advance
positions on n front of approximately
900 yards.
Along the French front numerous
patrol encounters took place, and the
customary raids and violent artillery
duels are reported in h region of
the Alsne and Disc. In Champagne, on
the right bank of the Mouse, and in
Upper Alsace.
Aircraft Active.
Owing to the clear weather which
prevailed IN the west. the activity OF
allied aircraft was greatly Increased.
The British carried out a very sue.
cessful raid against hostile works in
the area of Falenciennes.
The raiding Of German towns of
the interior. more especially the indus
trial centers of the Rhineland, by al
lied aircraft. as reprisals for the re-
peated bombardment Of open towns
in France and Great britain by the
Germans. has been successfully mi
tiated.
NEETHA - u p1ECt GI9 tCGtAfN4N odA
of Germany, who were present during
previous air raids. state that these
raids have had a very depressing effect
on the civilian population and have
heightened the growing discomfort
among the German people. who now,
for the time. are being brought face
to face with real war conditions.
In the Italian theater, the Austro~
German forces are continuing their
pressure against the italian lines in
the mountain area between the Brenta
and Piave.
AS the result of repeated hard
driven offensive thrusts. the Italians
Lave been forced to abandon a part Of
their first line along the As1a8o
plateau.
The enemy IS continuing his eHorts
to break through the Frenzela Valley
ridge and pour down into the plain.
The Italians are stubboruly defending
their positions In the area. British aud
French forces are on the friug line.
I'm the region of the Beretta the
enemy has gained some terrain. There
are no ~ndicatioh or stackening Of
I hostile pressure.
Unusually mild weather has here
tofore greatly assisted the enemy IN
his advance. Now snow Is falling and
It is believed the enemy operations
will be considerably hampered by The
OtN4C1ttlSS OF fudilLdl IiA2 LIE ptSt1tVA
In the high mountain area
"0n the lower Piave the enemy
~made~an attack in force and advanced
In the Piave delta east Of Cape sile.
After achieving a temporary success
the Austriaus were driven out, and all
the lost ground was recaptured,
East Africa has been cleared of all
hostile forces. and the shattered rem
nanfs OF the German d~etachments
have ned into Portuguese, East Africa.
The armistice concluded by The RUS
. sians ~4lA ,th8 es4erAN @sg io.lua-4s tia
entire eastern front from the Baltic to
the Black sea. Negotiations are not pro-
ceeding smoothly. The German de-
mands as reported to us, specify among
other points the immediate opening up
of channels of commercial intercourse
between Russia and Germany"