El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-08
~ TAsHINGTON. D G, Jan s
~ The expected German often
size In N. r-se- $1,000 - n.

w The expected c German often
sive in the west. secretary OF
war Bakers weekly war review today
says. 'wiu possibly be their creates
assault" but the British and French
armies can be relied upon TO with
stand the shock"
Summarizing the situation on the
eve Of a possible great offensive. sec
retary. Baker confidently points out
that through Is fierce battles Of great
magnitude the British and French
have steadily pushed ahead with
meth0Gical and Cumulative gains The
expected offensive, he points out
probably is beirg delayed for mass
ing great supplies Of munitions guns
and troops. and the Germans may BE-
expected 10 strain every fiber OF
their remaining strength
Itali1n Line Firmly Held.
On the italian front the secre tary
points out. French successes rave
turned the scale against the AUstro-
German invaders and the west bank
OF the Piave is being held firmly.
Hampered by heavy snowfalIs in the
Aims. ne says. the invaders are con-
fronted with a tremendous handicap
OF r7si0ta ming their transport which
neutralizes the advantage Of holding
hi@heE ground
The period OF adjustment. Baker
says. has passed and il may now be
eNnected that the French. British
and italians, fighting side by side.
VIII be able to master the situation"
The review. which this week makes
no mention Of American troops. fol-
lows;
Time Needed for Thrust.
six weeks have elapsed since the
first rumors reached US Of the Ereat
thrust in the west which the enemy
then announced as imminent In or
der TO concentrate large troop masses.
adequate artillery and ample reserves
Of munitions much time IS required.
Though the German higher COM
mand has so long delayed before be-
ginning operations. advices received
seemingly confirm the informs tiou
that important actions are Coutem-
plated along the western front They
may be counted upon TO strain every
fiber OF their remaining strength in
an endeavor to make their plans sue
coed.
British Have Won 1s Battles.
In considering the general military
situation on the eve OF possible Ger
man offensive IL must be recalled
that through Is successive battles Of
great magnitude in Flanders the Brit
ish have every time come out viCtOri-
Gus and pushed steadily ahead. Their
mulative.
The Germans have during this long
series OF major operations tnNaria bly,
been forced to give way. The French
stood like a rock at Verdun and soon
after drove forward vigorously in the
battle Of the Somme and III turn
played great part in the repeated
drives in Flanders
Allies VIII Withstand New Assault.
The impending German offensive
The French and British armies can be
relied upon to Withstand the shock
In the west no important Cpera-
tons took place during the past eek.
. The entire front from the North sea
to the Swiss border was verv active.
. The Germans continued their widely
scattered thrusts while the French
and British parried with numerous re-
connOiteriug raids and careful patrol
ing They remained on the Qui vive.
taking note Of every minor chanEe in
the German order Of battle. keeping
closely informed OF hostile troops
movement and concentrations.
Small Enemy Gains.
In the Cam brai area the enemy un-
dertoOk an attack in force Herr the
Germans, In attempting a thanking
movement which had as its tmmedi-
ate objective rhe further narrowing
down OF the British salient were able
to penetrate and hold temporarily GER
tain British trench elements south
of AarcOtng. This acticn was conduct
ed with great energy. The British i'm
mediately coun-ered and were able 70
recapture q part Of their lost DOsi-
tons
Another hostile thrust was under
taken close TO the Canal Du Nord
where che enemy was able slightly to
press back the British.
Minor Actions a StandOff.
Southeast OF Lens, the enemy made