South Bend news-times., 1917-12-24
nternationaI NeNs ServIce

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24-Ameri-
can troops soon will form the prin-
ciDal body of the fresh strategic
: reserves on the battlehelds Of Eu-
rope and will bear the brunt of the
/ lighting, Sec'y of War Baker declar-
ed today in his weekly review of the
war.
This fact is fully appreciated by
the enemy, the secretary asserted.
4 The recent peace feeIers" and
preparations for an intensive drive
! ON the western front are a result.
The Italian armies, the secretary
asserted. have successfully repulsed
| the enemy alons its lines.
Activity i'm Italy.
The secretary's review in fun fol
lows:
"The Italian theater of war once
again is the scene Of important mill
tary activity
The enemy, impatient of the de
lays which have occurred in bring
ing about the successful penetration
Of the Italian plain, and the over
throw of the italian armies. has dis
patched further forces 70 the Italian
front. with view 10 achieving a de
cjsive result.
The Germans are endeavoring to
follow the precepts OF classic
strategy and by a successful en-
veloping movement effect the de
struction of the Italian and allied
forces
1T would appear that they are
anxious to conclude their Italian ad-
venture in a manner similar TO the
previous campaigns in Russia, Ser
bia and ROumania, where, as a re-
| suit of the strategic developments
gained at relatively small cost, vast
tracts of territory were conquered.
Pressure Continues Intense.
Enemy pressure continues in
| tense along the entire front
Early in the week the Austro-
Germans gained certain local sue
| cesses in the region of the Col
Caprile and succeeded in capturing
| the Monte Asolone. an outpost Of
| considerable tactical importance.
THE Italians. however, did not
leave the enemy long in possession
| of this point BY a particularly sue
| cessful series of daring counter at
! tacks. Monte Asolone was retaken.
| This position again i'm the hands OF
the Italians materially increases the
strength Of their defensive lines.
Before proceeding with any op-
erations in the west the Germans
hope 10 drive the Italians back ~
the Adige. anticipating that such a
| reverse would have a very disin-
tegrating influence throughout italy.
1T is apparent that the Germans
Eave not given up all hope of bring
ing about social unheaval in Italy.
as they did in Russia after their
victorious campaigns of 1915.
NO matter how intensive this
new subversive propaganda may be
nevertheless we can confidently reN
on the fighting morale of the Italian
people.
Raids on West Front.
Along the western front the
| enemy has continued his harrassing
raids with view 10 keeping the
i p.Iied forces on the alert However.
/ none Of the engagements recorded
/ in the west were Of more than local
Importance
/ I'm the region of the Argonne
J forest and the Woevre heavy as
saults were launched against the
French These. however. were read.
ily repulsed.
Infantry actions Of more than
usual intensity were reported in
Upper Alsace and Lorraine
/ ARTILLERY duels were pa articularly
I lively In Lorraine and Champagne.
The British front was the scene
: OF q number of raids and hostile
attacks in force at various points. In
the area of CANT brai. south OF Arras
and north of Ypres the Germans
pushed forward several units in ar
( engagement OF q local character No
material results were achieved.
, 1T would appear that a. fore
rrnner 10 the German offensive
I heralded 10 be launched in the west,
an Intensive peace propaganda is 20
. he initiated
Careful examination Of the situa
( ton reveals that the enemy is again
preparing 10 sue for peace before
victory.
Threaten 90 Break Line.
Information from varioIs
b sources confirms the reports that
I the Germans would have the world
believe that the military situation is
{ ssscl, that they are able 20 dictate
I tn. fer1fs o. peace. They therefore
threatened ihat unless this dictated