Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1918-01-09
ALLIED ARMIES
CAN W|THSTAND
HUN OFFENSIVE
On Eve of Possible Great Of
fenSive Baker Points out
British and French Prepar-
edneSS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-The ex.
pected German offensive in the west
Secretary Bakers weekly war review
today says, will possibly be their
greatest assault" but the British
and French armies can be relied upon
to Withstand the shock"
Summarizing the situation on the
eve of a possible great offensive, Sec
retary Baker confidently points out
that through sixteen fierce battles of
great magnitude the British and
French have steadily pushed ahead
with methodical and cumulative gains.
The expected offensive. he points out,
probably is being delayed for massing
great supplies OF munitions, guns and
troops and the Germans may be cX-
pected TO strain every fibre OF their
remaining strength.
On the Italian front. the secretary
points out, French successes have
turned the scale against the .Austro.
German invaders and the west bank
Of the Piavc Is being held firmly,
hampercd by heavy snow falls in the
Alps. he says. the invaders are now
confronted with a tremendous handi.
cap OF maintaining their transport
which noutralizes the advantage of
holding higher ground.
The period OF adjustment, Secre-
tary Baker says, has passed and II
may now be expected that the
French, British and Italians. fighting
side by side. will be- able to master the
situation"
The review. which this week makes
no mention OF American troops fol
lows:
six weeks have elapsed since the
rumors reached Us of the great thrust
in the west which the enemy then an
nounccd as imminent. In order "a
concentrate large troop masses. adc.
quatc artillery and ample reserves OF
munitions much time Is required.
Through the German higher com.
mand has so long delayed before be.
ginning operations. adyiccs received
seemingly confirm the information
that important actions are contem.
plated along the western front They
may be counted upon TO strain every
fibre OF their remaining strength in
an cndcayor to make their plans sue
coed.
In considering the great military
| situation on the eve OF a possible Ger
man offensive it must be recalled that
| through sixteen successive battles OF
great magnitude in Flanders the Bri
tish have every time come out viCtori-
Gus and pushed steadily ahead. Their
gains have been mothodiCal and cum
ulativc. The Germans have, during the
| long series OF major operations, in
variably been forced to give way. The
/ French stood like rock at Ncrdun
and soon after drove forward yigor
ously In the battle of the SommcC and
in turn played to great part in the re-
pcatcd drives in Flanders.
The impending German offensive
will possibly be their great assault
The French and British armies cal
be relied upon to Withstand the shock
In the west no important opera
tlons took place during tho past week
The entire front from the North SGT
to the Swiss border was very active
The Germans continued their widcl
scattered thrusts while the French an,
British parricd with numerous re
connoltcring raids and careful patrol
ing. The remained on tho qui viyc
taking note Of every minor charge Il
tho German order OF battle. kccpin
closely informed Of hostile troo
movements and concentrations.
ON the Cambrai area the enemy IN
dcrtook an attack in force. Hero th
Germans. III attempting ilankin
movement which had as it's immcdiat
objective tho further narrowing dow
Of tho British salient. were able I
penetrate and hold temporarily ce