Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-11-19
American Troops inFfanCe Are
Maintaining Best Traditions
of Army, Says Weekly
Statement,
GERMANS NERVOUS ON
FRONT IN FLANDERS
Capture of Jaffa Is Of Decided
Advantage to Allied Lines Of
Communication, Is Assert
ed,

-. MORNING JoURssl SPECIAL LHtsSo wiREl
Washington, Nov.- lS.-Iiardenine
OF the italian defense and the preciI
sion with which British and French
reinforcements are being delivered in
the Italian war theater leads Secretary
Baker in his weekly war review to-
night to contemplate the future in
that field with confidence. He points
out, however, that the full strength
of the Austro- German efforts has not
yet been developed.
The only reference to the sector OF
the western front where American
troops occupy first line trenches is
that the men have shown themselves
worthy of the best traditions of the
American army.
"The training of our national army
is now progressing rapidly the state
ment says. "At all the camps the
morale of our new citizen soldiers Is
reported as excellent.
THE men who have been called
upon to defend our country in the
present emergency are taking hold OF
the work in a serious high-minded
spirit which will produce the best re
suits.
"The British and French officers
who are to assist in instructing our
rev armies are arriving.
Careful Training in France.
"In France the training of our
troops is likewise being carefully con-
tinued In the sector where our forces
are in the trenches, they have shown
themselves worthy of the best tradi-
tons of our armies.
After the successes gained by the
allies in the west during the preced-
ing week, the relative calm of the
last seven-day period was to be an
ticipated.
lit is significant, however, that the
reaction of the enemy has been rel
atively slight both in the region north
of the Aisne and in Flanders.
"At this season of the year the fog
hound fields of Flanders and bad
weather make it difficult to co-ordi-
nate major operations with precision,
Nevertheless, artillery preparations
are continuing, presaging further Of
fonsive engagements.
Germans Are Nervous.
Destructive hostile artillery fire is
noted in the area along the User, GEN.
tering around Dixmude, and the she'll
ing by the enemy increased during the
latter part of the week, betraying a
decided nervousness on the part OF
the Germans lest any unexpected Of
fensive action develop.
Along the French front no engage
ments OF Importance are recorded.
"The news from Italy is more en-
ao;, tsx he
skillful handling of large masses of
troops and the reorganization of de-
fensive positions has been carried out
by the Italian armies with energy and
courage.
I'm all sectors of the Italian theater
much hard fighting continues. The
enemy along four different lines af
attack is endeavoring to outflank and
if possible crush the Italian armies
and debouch into the heart of north
cIn Italy.
Defense Is Hardening.
while attempting to drive ahead
across the Venetian plain along a
broad front, the Austro-German forces
have thrown large masses of troops
against the Italian defensive positions
girding the Trentino.
"In spite of the intense strain of
the engagements the Italian defense is
hardening.
"Aiong the Piave and in the region
OF the Lake of Garda, and along the
Brenta, the enemy, while scoring To-
cal advantages, is being successfully
restrained.
"On the lower Pave the hostile at
tempt to cross the river was partial
ly successful, resulting in the capture
of Zenson. The Italians have now
opened the dikes in this sector, which
will render the enemy advance diff
ficult
Confident of Victory.
while it must be acknowledged
that the full Austro- German strength
in the Trentino has not yet been de-
ployed, nevertheless the present tenn
per of the Italian armies and the
strong allied reinforcements which
are arriving In the Italian theater
should lead us to contemplate the fu-
ture with confidence"
The secretary then reviews at
length the military situation in Pal.
estine and Mesopotamia. He asserts
that the investment of Jerusalem by
the British is taking shape, that Jaffa,
the principal seaport of Palestine, has
fallen, to the great relief of the al
lied supply lines. That the Turkish
forces in Palestine have lost half their
effectives also is noted.
Mr.. Baker concludes with the state
ment that the situation in Russia con-
tinues disturbed.