Arizona republican., 1917-12-25
FRONTS
 CHANGE
 IN YEAR
Republican A. p. Leased wireI


 Christmas tide of 1917 finds the armies on all the major battle fronts virtually inactive, except where the Teutonic allies are endeavoring to overwhelm the Italians and force passage through the hill country of northern Italy out upon the plains of Venetia.
 As viewed from the war maps the battle lines today are markedly changed from those of the yester- year. The Russian front from the Baltic to the Black sea Is virtually non-existent; the Italians under the intensive drive of the Teutonic allies today are standing miles from where they were a year ago along the lsonzo front. from Belgium to the region around Nerdun great salients have been driven into the German lines by both the British and French armies, and in Asiatic Turkey the British have made notable gains both in Mesopotamia and Palestine.
 Northward through the latter re- zion General Allenby's forces have made great progress against the Ottomans and Christmas of 1917 finds the Christians once more in control of Bethlehem, the birthplace uf Christ, and of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre.
 Although the sound of peace is in the air, seemingly there is no pros pect of ending at any early date the titanic struggle that is in progress. The Teutonic allies and the Russians are Nadeavoring to effect a cessation of hostilities on the eastern front and probably will reach some kind of an agreement that for the moment at least will render the counter revo- lutionary forces in Russia inactive and throw a greater burden upon the shoulders of their former allies.
 The enemy for weeks unofficially has been prOclaiming his desire for peace. but no terms have been ad- vanced by him which would indicate a willingness to bring the war to an end along lines that would make the world safe for democracy On the contrary, the German emperor, in his latest utterance made before the sec ond army last Saturday. boasted of the successes of the Teutonic allies during the last year and eXultantly proclaimed that the victories of the central powers had been so manifest that it was useless to waste words on the tactical and strategical advan- tagcs gained.
 Apparently, however. while strenu- ous efforts are being made. in the United States to get an invincible army in the field to aid Great Brit Hin and France and their allies in Ginally bringing victory 10 their arms. the German emperor has made u final endeavor i'm his latest address Co his troops to frighten peoples un- afraid. with the following declara tiou:
 ZIG the enemy does not want peace then we must bring peace to the world by battering in with the iron fist and the shining sword the doors 1f those who will not have peace.
 Meanwhile. his armies and those of his ally. Austria Hungary, find ing that their attempts to break the Italian line between the Brenta and Piave rivers in northern Italy were without result. have shifted the ground of their attack again to the Asiago plateau. Here small gains were made. but the Italians, stiffen- ing their line, held the enemy iron further progress and at last accounts were delivering successful counter at tacks against him. On the lowei piave river the enemy troops. who forced a crossing of the river las week now have been compelled. un- der violent attacks by the Italians to seek safety through a retreat t' the eastern bank of the stream.
 Another heartening phase of thu situation is she small number O British casualties during the las week. On the entire front held bl the British only 13,919 casualties wer, reported, these embracing men killed wounded or missing. The previous week mad shown an aggregate Of r., 976 and the week before that 23,5ob