South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-19
BAKER CONF |DENT
IN WAR REVIEW
Hardening of italian Lines Re-
assures SeCretary-AC-
tiVity in West.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19-Harden-
ing OF the Italian defense and the
precision with which British and
French reinforcements are being de-
livered in the Italian war theater
leads Sec'y Baker in his weekly war
review TO contemplate the fu-
ture in that field with confidence.
He points out, however. that the full
strength Of the Austro- German eff
forts has not yet been developed.
Further allied offensives on the
western front after the luIl Of the
past week. Mr.. Baker says, are indi-
Gated by increased artillery fire and
the nervousness exhibited by the
Germans. The only reference TO the
sector Of this front where American
troops occupy the first line trenches
is that the men have shown them
selves worthy OF the best traditions
OF the American army.
Army Training Progressing.
The training of our national
army is now progressing rapidly, ~
the statement says AT all the
camps the morale of our new citizen
soldiers is reported as excellent.
1.-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 mind
ed spirit. which will produce the
best result.
The British and French officers
who are to assist in instructing our
new armies are arriving.
In France the training OF our
troops is likewise being carefully
continued. In the sector where our
forces are in the trenches, they have
shown themselves worthy of the best
traditions Of our army.
After the successes gained by the
allies in the west during the proceed
ing week, the relative calm of the
last seven day period was to be an
ticipated.
Enemy Reaction Slight
1T is significant, however, that
the reaction Of the enemy has been
relatively slight both in the region
north of the Aisne and in Flanders
Artillery preparations have con-
tinued in the two chief theaters OF
activity in the west, presaging fur
ther offensive engagements.
held by the British, no engagements
of Importance are reported.
Destructive hostile artillery fire
is noted in the area along the User,
centering around Dixmude and the
Smelling by the enemy increased dur
ing the latter part Of the week, be-
traying a decided nervousness on the
part of the Germans lest any unex-
pected offensive action develop.
Hard Italian Fighting.
Along the French front no en-
gagements of importance are re-
corded.
The news from Italy is more en-
couraging. Operations involving the
skilful handling Of large masses of
troops and the reorganization Of de-
fensive positions, entaling super
human efforts on the part OF officers
and men alike, have been carried
out by the Italian armies with en-
ergy and courage.
All sectors of the Italian theater
OF operations continue the scene of
much hard fighting. The enemy
along four different lines OF attack
is endeavoring to outfiank and if
possible to crush the Italian armies
and debouch into the heart Of north
ern Italy.
I'm spite of the intense strain of
the engagements the italian defense
is hardening.
While il must be acknowledged
that the full Austro-German strength
in the Trentino has not yet been en-
ployed, nevertheless the present
temper of the Italian armies and the
strong allied reinforcements which
are arriving smoothly and method
cally in the italian theater should
lead US to contemplate the future
with confidence"
Palestine Under Fire
The secretary then reviews at
length the military situation in Pal
estine and Mesopotamia. which he
says must be considered if we are
to arrive at a clear perspective Of
the purposes of the war" He as
serts that the investment Of Jerusa-
lem by the British is taking shape,
that Jaffa, the principal seaport Of
Palestine, is under allied gunfire by
land and sea and indicates that its
fall is impending. TO the great relief
OF the allied supply lines. That the
Turkish forces in Palestine have lost
half their electives in the fighting
also is noted.
BERLIN, Nov. 19.-CVia London)