Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-12-27
WARNS AGAINST
idle PEACE TALK
Secretary Baker Calls the Armies
of u. S. Preserves of
Victory"
TELLS HUNS HOPES, PLANS
Cautions Americans Not to Be De-
ceived Into Relaxing War Prepare
tions-Sees Peace Trick
of 1916 Again.

Washington, Dec. 25.-Germany's
peace propaganda, viewed as a fore
runner to an offensive in the west I'M
less German-made peace is accepted
by the allies, SHOULD not for a moment
induce US to s!acl1en our preparations
for war;" says Secretary Baker in
his weekly review of the military stu
alton.
1.-The Germans realize" he contin-
ues, "that within short time our
armies will form the principal body of
fresh strategic reserves, remaining
available on the battle fields of Eu-
rope
"Our armies constitute the reserves
of victory!"
The nghting morale of Italy has
shown that it may be relied upon, no
matter how intensive the German
peace campaign becomes, Secretary
Baker declares. His review says:
"The italian theater once again is
the scene of important military
activity.
Hammerinq Hard at Italy.
""The enemy, impatient of the de-
| lays which have occurred in bringing
about the successful penetration Of
| the Italian plain and the overthrow Of
| the italian armies, has dispatched fur
| their forces to the Italian front, with
a view to achieving a decisive re-
suit.
1.-THE Germans are endeavOring to
follow the precepts of classic strategy
and by a successful enveloping move
ment effect the destruction Of the Ital
ian and allied forces.
"It is apparent that the Germans
have not given up all hope Of bringing
about social upheayal in Italy, as
they did in Russia after their cam
paign Of 1915.
"No matter how intensive this new
subversive propaganda may be, new
ertheless, we can confidently rely on
the fighting morals of the italian peo-
pie.
"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 recorded in the west we're
of more than local Importance.
GAS a forerunner to the German Of
fensive heralded to be launched in the
west an intensive peace propaganda
has been initiated.
Careful examination Of the situa-
ton reveals that the enemy is again
preparing for peace before victory
Conformation 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 threaten that unless this die
tated peace is accepted by the allied
powers the German forces now being
concentrated on the western front will
break through the allied line into the
west.
None Should Be Deceived.
"The various reports of immediate
peace proposals by the Germans on
seeming favorable terms should not
for moment induce us to slacken our
preparations for war.
1T is only necessary for us to recall
that during the Christmas season of
last year the Germans put forth very
similar peace rumors.
"The Germans realize that within a
short time our armies will form the
principal body of fresh strategic re-
serves remaining available for action
on the battle fields of Europe.
"NO matter what superiority in men
and guns the enemy may for the time
being be able to bring to bear on the
west. and even admitting an eventual
modification of the allied line in his ia
yor. he knows his effort will inevitably
result in merely a local success, which
can have no determining influence on
the final outcome Of the war
''For the first two years of the war
France bore the brunt of battle, while
Great Britain was preparing.
"Since the defeat of the German
forces in front of Verdun England and
the British dominions have taken over
an increasingly large share Of the bur.
den Of the war.
'It is our duty, therefore, to realize
that if we are to fulfill the pledges we
made on entering the war, if we are to
fight this war to a successful conclu-
sion, we must assume the full respon-
sibility which rests upon us. We are
the freshest in the struggle; we have
reserve man power and the reserve
mechanical power.
"Uur armies constitute the reserves
of victory!
"In Russia the armistice negotia-
tions>having been concluded, peace ne
gotiations are about agreed upon.
reports of the dissatisfaction of a
large element of the Russian popula-
tion especially in southern and central
Russia, with the terms Of the armis-
tice, has led to the formation of an
active opposition which it is believed
will endeavor to resist all attempts to
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