New-York tribune., 1917-12-25
Secretary Warns Kaisers
Propaganda Should Spur
u. S. Effort
"American Armies
Reserves of Victory"
Declares Teutons Realize
This Country's Forces
Will Decide Battle

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24.--Germany's
newest peace propaganda, viewed as
forerunner to an offensive in the West.
unless a German-made peace is accepted
by the Allies and the United States.
should not for moment induce us to
slseken our preparations for war"
says Secretary Baker, in his weekly
review of the military situation.
"The Germans realize" continues the
statement, that within a short time
our armies will form the principal body
Of fresh strates reserves. remaining
available on the battlefelds OF Europe" 4"
"Our armies constitute the reserves
OF victory
The review points out that the fight
ing morale of Italy may be relied upon
no matter how intensive the German
peace campaign becomes, and says:
"The Italian theatre once again is
the scene of important military activ-
ity.
"The enemy. impatient of the delays
which have occurred in bringing about
the successful penetration of the ltal-
ian plain and the ,Serthrow Of the Ital-
ian armies, has dispatched further
forces 70 the Italian front, with view
10 achieving a decisive result.
Emulate Classic Strategy
"The Germans are endeavoring TO
follow the precepts of classic strategy
and by a successful enveloping move
ment, effect the destruction of the ltal-
ian and Allied forces.
at would appear that they are anx-
ious to conclude their Italian advel
ture in a manner similar 20 the pre-
vious campaigns in Russia, Serbia and
Rumania, where. as result Of the
strategic developments, gained at rela-
lively small cost, vast tracts Of terri
tory were conquered.
Enemy pressure continues intense
along the entire front.
Before proceeding with any opera
tions in the West the Germans hope 70
drive the Italians back to the Adige,
have very disintegrating influence
throughout Italy.
along the Western front the enemy
has continued his harassing raids with
view to keeping the Allied forces on
the alert. However. none Of the en-
gagements recorde in the West was
Of more than local Importance!
at would appear that as a forerunner
to the German offencive heralded to be
launched in the West, an intensive
peace propaganda is TO be initiated.
Wants "Peace Before Victory"
Careful examination of the situa-
tion reveals that the enemy is again
preparing to sue for peace before vic
tory
Information from various sources
confirms the reports that the Germans
would have the world believe that the
military situation is 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 forces now being concentrated on
the Western front will break through
the allied line in the West.
"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.
an considering the general military
situation in it's true light it must be
understood that the Germans realize
that within a short time our armies
will form the pricipal body Of fresh
strategical reserves remaining avail
able for action on the battlefields of
Europe. Thus, no matter what superb
ority in men and guns the enemy may
for the time being be able TO bring 10
bear in the West, and even admitting an
eventual modification of the allied line
in his favor, nevertheless he knows
that, in so far as il is humanity possible
TO foresee, his effort will inevitably
result in merely local success, which
can have no determining influence on
the final outcome of the war.
France Has Borne Brunt
"For TIE first two years Of the war.
France bore the brunt of battle, while
Great Britain was preparing.
"Snce the defeat of the German
forces in front OF Verdun, England
and the British dominions have taken
over an increasingly large share OF
the burden Of the war.
Italy has, TO the limit Of her forces,