Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
INITIATIVE I'M WEST -.-'.-
REMAINS WITH ALLIES
Secretary Baker Says Only Hun Boasts Indicate Any
Change in Military Stuation--Air. Raids Causing
Discomfort in Germany

made several raids in the ncishbor-
hood Of La Bassee and fprc3.
"A successful accommodating thrust
In the Cainbrai salient was carried
out byAa British detachment. and re-
suited in the capture OF an enemy. out
post cast of Boursies.
FURTHER OFFENSIVE
ENPECTED NEAR CAMBItAl
"a hostile attack in forco was
launched between Bullccourt and
Qucant. northwest Of cambrai. and
succeeded in penetrating British posi-
lions. Fighting continues furious cast
Of Bullccourt. Tho persistence and in
crcasinE violence OF the German de-
structivo fire apparently indicates that
a further offensive Is contemplated in
this area.
strative character was noted northeast
OF Yprcs, moro especially in the neigh
borhood of Passchcndaclc.
Southeast of PoiyGon wood the cne-
my developed Il strong Reconnaissance
assault in the vicinity Of Polderhoek
plateau. He succeeded in gaining 4
foothold in certain British advance po
Sitions on front Of approximately
500 yards
Along the French front numerous
patrol encounters took place. and the
customary raids and violent artillery
Gucls arc reported IN the region of
tho Aisnc and Disc. in Champagne on
the right bank of the Mouse and in
Upper Alsace.
owing to the clear weather which
prevailed in the west, the activity OF
allied aircraft was greatly increased.
The British carried out Il very success
full raid against hostile works In the
rear OF Valcncicnncs.
The ra!ding Of German towns Of the
interior. more especially the industrial
centers OF the Dhincland. By allied
aircraft. as rcprisals for the repeated
bomhardmcnt of open towns in France
and Great Britain by the Germans, has
been successfully initiated.
RAIDS DEPREsS PoPULACE,
OBSERVERS REPORT
Reports Of observers recently ont
of Germany, who were present during
previous air raids. state that these
raids have had a very depressing effect
on tho civilian population. and have
among the German people, who now,
for the first time, arc being brought
face to face with real war condi-
lions.
I'm the Italian thcatcr the Aus,ro-
German forces arc continuing their
pressure against the Italian lines In
the mountain area between tho Brcnta
and the Piave.
LAS the result OF repeated hard
driven offensive TRUSTS, the Italians
have been forced to abandon a part OF
their first line along the AsiaEo plateau.
The enemy is continuing his efforts
to break through the Frenzela Valley
ridge and pour down into the plain.
The Italians arc atubbornly defending
Ill r-ttI nrik tol,
and French forces arc on the firing line.
''In the region OF the Bcretta the enc
my has gained some terrain. There are
no indications Of slackcninE OF hostile
pressure.
SNOWFALL TO HINDER
ENEMY OPERATIONS
"UnuSually mild weather has hereto
fore greatly assisted The enemy in his
advance. Now snow IL falling. and 1t
is believed the enemy operations will
be considerably hampercd by the dif-
Gcultits OF .mainta lining his position in
The high mountain area. I'LL
'On the love. Piavc the enemy made
an attack in force and advanced in the
Piavc delta, cast of Cape Sile. After
achieving temporary success. the
Austriana were driven out, and all the
lost ground was rccapturcd.
East Africa has been cleared OF all
hostile forces. and the shattered rem
nan.s of the German attachments have
fed into PortuPutse East Africa.
The armisticc concluded BY the Rus
SLAMS with the enemy now includes the
entire eastern front, from the Baltic to
the Black Sea. Negotiations are not
proceeding smoothly. The German de-
n1ands. as reported TO US. specify.
among other points, the Immediate
opening UP OF channels OF commercial
Intercourse between Russia and Ger
many"