Evening star., 1918-01-13


working agreement is slot known now.
a 4
Grimest sort OF winter weather IL in.
terferring with military operations on
the western front
winter chaok, The whole of
Armies in West. ira, France has
been imbedded in heavy snow and ice
during the past seven days. and. as a
result. major operations have not been
attempted by either group of helliger-
ents, though raids have been frequent.
The Germans have been the chief ag-
gressors. but outside of temporarily TAX
ing a small sap from the British to the
east of Bullecourt they have accom-
plished nothing. The French. however.
In their raiding activities. particularly
near st. Mihiel in the Woevre. have IN
ficted heavy punishment on the Teutons.
The st. Mihiel attack was one delivered
with considerable force, and hundreds Of
German soldiers were put out of action
in the sharp, quick blow.
The French destroyed the German po
sitions and later returned to their own.
French also penetrated enemy positions
at Main de Massiges and repulsed Ger
man efforts near Bethincourt and near
Hill 304 on the Verdun front Germans
penetrated French trenches in the region
of Juyincourt, but later were ousted.
Allied military leaders continue their
active preparations to meet any offensive
the Germans may attempt when weather
conditions are more propitfous. The al
lied commanders are centering their at
tentfon on frustrating enemy ecdeavors
for 1t Is pretty well agreed In London
and in Paris that the allies will assume
the defensive and let the Germans 1e
liver their blow where they will, 1t be-
ing argued that the allied forces will
enemy to advance than they will IL they
assume the Offensive themselves in the
hope of cheekmatinr the Germans.
Methods pursued in major German at
losses. With their great weight of
guns and strong defensive positions
the entente armies believe they are
able to Withstand any shock and dur
ing the furious onslaughts Of the Teu-
tons inflict losses of such great pro-
portion that they will be an extremely
serious factor in bringing the war to
an earlier end.
Man power in Germany is grave
mand. officers on the western front
have ordered their subordinates to be
saving of their men except in case of
ma jor attacks. Naturally, the more Ger
mans put out OF action BY the allies IN
drive, the greater the reason for en-
tente optimism.
After the Germans have hurled their
legions against the entente and have
failed to break
After Fee Fails, through the
Allies May Attack. be- be- ripe @ for a
great allied offensive, and that 1t will
come shortly after the collapse Of the
Teutonic effort Is to be expected. When
the next great concerted allied drive
does come 1t will accomplish far
reaching results.
There has been considerable specuia-
ton as to just where Won Hindenburg
and Ludendorff intend to strike. Ad-
vices emanating from Germany indicate
that the German leaders believe France
can be quickly crushed, in which case
the British and Americans can be dealt
with easily. It is argued that Germany
has the most to gain by drive through
the Vosges or at Verdun. On the other
hand. it is argued that Won Hindenburg
may again make Calais his objective in
the hope OF iflf1icting terrible punish
ment on the British. Any defeats OF
Gen. Haig's forces would be hailed with
acclaim in Germany because OF. the
popular hatred of the English-speaking
peoples and might go far to entrench-
ing the German elements in power.
1t is argued that should the Germans
succeed and actually achieve Calais the
communications between England and
France could be broken up, the channel
opened to U-boat operations and serious
inroads made against the British
fleets.
It is extremely probable. however. that
-
continue minor attacks at many points
along the western front will succeed in
yelling Germanic intentions as to the
main assault until that offensive actu-
ally has begun.
AS the weather has interfered with
serious fighting on the western front 1T
likewise has checked operations to an
even greater extent on the italian.
There the Teutonic armies are snow
bound in the mountains skirting the
Venetian plains. Communication lines
are being seriously menaced by the
snow which lies over the mountains
and valleys to a depth OF from three to
five feet. The italians have kept up
their serious bombardment Of enemy po-
sitions and have forced the Tentons
backward in the Cavazueshurina region.
French and British arms also are used
constantly against the enemy. The
Germans are said to be undergoing
great suffering and unless communities
tions are opened so that there may be
a steady flow of foods and other stip-
plies the Teutonic position may become
SO difficult as to force material read
justment OF their present line.