Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-10
Secretary Of War Does Not
Seek to Conceal Anxiety
Over Situation
GERMAN ARMY STRENGTH
COMES FROM EAST FRONT
Belief That TeutOns Are Pre-
pairing for Great Drive
Against Allied Lines


Washington, Dec. 10.-In startling
frank fashion, Secretary Bakers week
ly war summary warned the nation
not to minimize the danger of the new
~ massed Teuton hordes on the west
front.
Stripped Of its verbiagc, the state
ment amounted to notice that with the
added forces Germany has drawn from
the east front, she constitutes a graver
danger than at any time in the past
two and half years.
The Germans may even bo able to
achieve some relative advantages,',
such as they did the past week at
Jambrai Baker added, through tenn
porary predominance Of numerical
strength.
After reviewing the British retire
ment-in the Cambria sector and paying
tribute to the American engineers
valor in that fight, Baker warned Am
erica must speed up its military effort,
prepared not only to fight, but to
win, and be entirely united,
g This German parrying thrust, the
most powerful and successful blow
aimed at the British during the past
two and q half years, coming as it did
Immediately after the British victory
in the same area, serves to emphasize
the reviving strength of the Germans
in the west, Baker continued.
1--WE must recognize plainly that
the situation in the eastern theater has
brought about very weird change in
the strategic possibilities Of the mill
tary situation in the west. Germany,
by leaving only skeleton divisions in
the Russian area, by concentrating all
available guns, munitions and men in
the theater Of operations in the west,
has been able to mass a relatively
greater force than she has ever been
able to mobilize in France. in the past
"This explains the success which the
enemy has been able to achieve in driv-
ing the British back from Cambria.
g 1t would not do for MS to minimizd
is Importance. The enemy realizes that
he finds himself in singularly fortu-
nate position, and he can be counted
lpon to take the utmost advantage OF
&.
ssFor a long time past he has been
his plans for Just such an
as would arise when Rus
sia should enter upon negotiations for
1 separate peace, which has been
principal German objective ever since
,he battle Of Tannenberg. We must
sxpect that he did put these plans into
execution Thus he may have at his
lisposal for a time a numerical super
a ha
.bie to achieve some relative advant-
lges in the field, such as those record
d during the past week.
'fThe magnitude ef the task before
Is can be more fully realized when
measured by the success which the en-
my is still able to gain.
cit means that we must speed uP
,ur military efforts. The united nation
must stand squarely behind our sol
Iiers.
''It is not sufficient to prepare to
light; we must prepare to win.
'"Though during the preceding win
ers of the war the belligerents at this
Ldvaneed season OF the year had been
ontcut to hold 1.-THE positions won,
Waiting for the more favorable wealth
n Of the early spring to continue oper-
.tioDs, this year the western front ls
he scene of numerous engagements.
The prevalence of raids along the
ront indicated to Baker that the Ger
nan is testing out the strength Of
lnits opposed to him-probably with
view TO foreeful drive at weak
pot.
s'The full energy OF, the italian
orees win be required, the statement
aid to prevent the Huns from deboueh
ng to the main Brenta valey and the
,lains below.
Our declaration of war against
AUSTRIA now associates us intimately
With the struggle going on in Italy, !"
Baker declared.