Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1917-12-04
Central Powers Would Crush
Italy - Huns Under-Esti-
mate Italians Powers.
Entente VIII Not Give Re-
spite-Battle Cambria Con-
tinues-British Have Situa-
ton In Hand
CBy Review Leased wire)


WASHINGTON, Dec. Am effort
by the Germans TO bring on a decisive
engagement on the western front IS
suggested in the departments review
of military operations for the week
ending December 1st. issued tonight
by Secretary Baker
The outstanding feature of the gen
eral military situation today" says
the review. lis TO be found in the
ever-increasing mobility of action OF
the forces engaged.
Static warfare is giving way 10
activity of movement.
1T seems that a decision is being
sought by the enemy, who realizes
that he cannot endure for a much
longer period the strain of trench war
fare imposed by the allies in the west
Would Crush Italy.
This explains the effort OF the cen
trail powers in massing considerable
forces in order to invade Italy-a con-
centration of troops made possible by
the internal situation in Russia. This
offensive was undertaken to crush
the Italians and compel them to sue
for peace.
Five weeks of desperate fighting
has brought them no nearer their real
objective in this theater.
For a time the military situation
along the Italian front was serious.
But the enemy had under-estimated
the resisting power Of the Italians
and discounted the splendid morale
which their forces would display when
the fun magnitude of the impending
crisis was visualized.
Germany Moving Forces.
The Italians. by magnificent ef-
fort, reOrganiZed their broken forces.
rapidly reformed their cadres and
backed by the allies were able. single
handed. to check the Austro-German
invasion.
"The closing of the Swiss frontier
for two weeks may Indicate that the
enemy is transporting large forces.
both men and guns, to the west.
The enemy is constantly detaehing
large oOntingents from the eastern
theater All good troops which can
possibly be spared are being despatch
ed 10 other zones OF operations.
so that though the season is not
proDitiOus for engaging in military
enterprises on a large scale. yet owing
to the imperative necessity for a con-
tinuanee of this mobility, further Of
fensives are to be anticipated.
No Respite to Be Given.
no the other hand. the allies will
give the enemy no respite and any Of
fensive undertaken by the Germans
will be promptly met by a counter
stroke of great severity.
"The battle of Cambria continues.
with sanguinary intensity The enc
my. after the first on-rush of the Brit
ish. by bringing up fresh forces has
been able TO bolster up his weakened
defenses. which for a time. imperilled
the security of the entire Hindenburg
line.
However. when the Germans had
recovered from the first blow and
were able to stand their ground. no
further extensive gains of terrain by
the British were TO be anticipated
Reaction Heavy.
Hostile reaction has been extreme
ly heavy, and costly counter attacks
made by the enemy have enabled him
TO re-tske q certain area. as well as
occupy terrain southwest of the new
salient. The British have the situa-
tion well in hand and announce the
repulse of the enemy who has been
driven from the positions captured.
"On the Italian front allied coop
Grafton has now been firmly estab-
lished. in a measure relieving the ltal-
ians.
in the Palestine theater the rapid
advlace of the British on Jerusalem
after the fall Of Jaffa, has been tenn
porarily stayed The resistance of the
Turkish forces has considerably in
crea sed and the necessity OF bringing
up further reinforcements and mater
ial has caused delay in the offensive
operations"