Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-01-02
SECRETARY BAKERS
WEEKLY review
British Dominate Flanders
Plain, the French Lines I'm
broken and the Italian De
tenders Holding Firm, is the
Summary.

Washington, D. c.-What the beginning
of the new year finds at the battle fronts
is outlined by Secretary Baker in his
weekly review of military operations is
sued last night. In the west, he says,
the British dominate the Flanders plain
with a great wedge into the. principal
German line of defense at Cambria, while
the French, with their own lines I'M
broken hold the key to the Laon area
through the capture of Chemn des
Danes.
Italy, supported by the allies, is hold
ing firm while the enemy, battering in
vain for six weeks against the defenders
is busy preparing for renewed offensive.
Of Russia the review merely says me
Germans are endeayorng- to persuade
that country that they are eager TO ASSIST
In restoring normal conditions and that
the German embassy building at Petro-
grad is being @nade ready for occupancy
While the operation of American troops
at the front has been confined to narrow
limits. the secretary says their presence
li.as7 Lleartened the allies and increased
faith III final victory.
TIL review for the week ending DeceTn-
Der 31st follows in part:
THE military situation at the beglnlng
of the new year is as follows
"In the west the British in the Ypres
salient occupy the high ground OF the
Paschendaele ridge and dominate the
Their wedge in front of Cambria,
though blunt, has ripped a great gap In
the principal German line of defense
THE battle Of Cambrai proved that
the German defensive positions could be
broken and taken. Though full advantage
was not take n9r The 1aryy sIeees tes
disaster to the German arms in THIS pat
tie was the most serious since the Marne.
THE French, by the capture Of the
Chemin des Danes, have secured the
key to the Laon area. Their own line
of defense remains unshaken.
Our Own Forces.
"Detachments of our own forces nave
engaged the enemy. While their opera
tons have been confined to narrow limits
their aid has been valuable and the pres
ence of American troops In the firing llne
has heartened the allies to continue the
struggle with increased falth In 1lhal VIC
tory. -, ,,,o,,, tho
combat situation remained unchanged.
Reports of the concentration of nos
tile troop masses in the west continue TO
be received.
west are concerned no events Of more
than minor Importance are reported. me
Germans have been busy re-grouping
in the italian theatre the enemy is
continuing his persistent offensive ope-
rations in the mouQtain area,
1.-THE Italians have hitherto held 1irm
and reaDed the advantage of the success
gained last week when they fecaptured
the valuable strategic terrain in the Vi
cinity of Monte Asolone.
THE Austro- Germans operating in the
region of the Monte Asolone have been
busy readjusting their tactical DISPOSE
lions and making further preparations
for a renewed offensive.
1.-THE Austro- Hungarian general stair
seem to fear that without full German
support it would not be difficult prob
lem for the Italians. strangely reinforced
by French and British divisions, to turn
the tables on their invader.
Third Month in Italy.
eve are now entering upon the third
month of the battle for the mastery of
Venetia Since November 9th the enemy
has been held up along the Piave Dur
in gthe past six weeks no really decisive
success has been gained by the invaders
They have battered in vain against the
staunch resistance of the Italians.
Reviewing the situation, it is revealed
that the first German successes in Italy
far exceeded their most sanguine hopes.
When they became deeply involved in the
Italian campaign they had no real broad
plan of invasion. The local advantages
won by Austro -German strategy were OK
banded from day to day as barriers which
they themselves believed would hold firm.
mysteriously gave way. 1t is evident
from the repeated transfer Of troops first
from the Trentino front to the Piave area
and later back again to the Trentine the
enemy was pursuing an oppoftunist plan
of campaign rather than following well
rounded out ard definite strategical ope-
ration.
Gan examination of the tactical dispo
stion of the enemy shows that when he
CONTINUED on page sixteen)