Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-24
SECRETARY BAKERS
WEEKLY review
Declares That Germany's In
sidious Peace Propaganda
Shall Not Cause Stacking Of
War Preparations.

Washington, o. C.-Germany's new
est peace propaganda, viewed as fore
runner to an offensive in the west un-
less German made peace is accepted by
the allies and the United States should
not for a moment induce us to slacken
our preparations for war" says Sec
rotary Baker today in his weekly re-
view of the military situation.
TIE Germans realize continues the
statement, that within a short time
our armies will form the principal body
of fresh strategic reserves remaining
available on the battlefields of Europe.
Our armies constitute the reserves
of victory"
The review points out that the fight
ing morale of Italians may be relied
on no matter how intensive the Ger
man pace campaign becomes and says" "
THE Italian theater once again is the
scene of important military activity.
"'The enemy impatient of the delays
which have occurred in bringing about
the successful penetration of the Ital-
ian plain and the overthrow of the
italian armies, has dispatched further
forces to the Italian front with view
to achieving a decisive result
German Endeavor.
''The Germans are endeavoring to
follow the precepts of classic strategy
and by a successful enveIoping move
ment to effect the destruction Of the
Italian and allied forces.
TT would appear that they are anx-
oius to conclude their Italian adven-
ture in manner similar to the prev
ious campaigns of Russia, Serbia and
Rumania where. as a result of the
strategic developments gained at rela-
lively small costs, vast tracts of ter
ritory were conquered.
Enemy pressure continues intense
along the entire front.
THE Germans hope to drive the Ital-
ians back to the Adige anticipating
that such a reverse would have a very
disintegratin ginfluence throughout all
Italy.
1T is apparent that the Germans
have not given up all hope of bringing
about a social upheayal in Italy. as
they did in Russia after their yicto-
rious campaigns Of 1915.
mo matter how intensive this new
subserYise propaganda may be, never
theless w en- confidently rely on the
fighting morale of the Italian people.
Along the western front the enemy
has continued his harrassing raids with
a view to keeping the allied forces on
the alert. However. none of the engage
ments recorded in the west were of
more than local Importance.
1T would appear that as a fore
runner to the German offensive her
aided to be launched in the west. an
intensive peace propaganda is to be
initiated
Careful examination of the situation
reveals that the enemy is again prepar-
ing to sue for peace before victory"
Information from various sources
confirms the reports that the Germans
would have the world believe that the
military situation as such that they are
able to dictate the terms of peace.
They, therefore, threaten that unless
this dictated peace is accepted by the
allied powers and ourselves. the Ger
man feeces now being concentrated on
the western front will break through
the allied line in the west.
1.-THE various reports of immediate
peace proposals by the Germans on
seemingly favorable terms should not
for moment induce us to slacken our
preparations for war.
ct is only necessary for US to recall
that during the Christmas season Of
last year the Germans put forth very
similar peace rtmors.
In considering the general military
situation in IFS true light, it must be
understood that the Germans realizc
that within a short time our armies
win form the prime pal body Of fresh
strategic reserves remaining aYailab \