The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-01-01
WAR SITUATION
AS REPORTED BY
THE SECRETARY
Cambrai Most Serious Battle
Since That Of Name,

Baker ~ ms weekly review of mrliiar
operations, issued tonight hv the wa
department In the west he saws. Nm
British dominate the tlaudcr, plan
with a great wedge into the priurrpa
German Inc of defense At Clmffar
while the French with Their own line
unbroken hold the kc, to thc lau
area through the capture of Chcmu dr.
DANES
italy supported by lhr allies +, nuld
ing firm while the cucmt aIrp. bat
tering IN vain for ,\ week, AGAINST
the defender, 3, busy preparing tu' d
renewed offensive
OF Russia. the review mcrpI, say. iN.r
the Germans are cndcNurmg n rcr
suade that country tho, arc eager u
assist m restoring normal condition.
and that the German embassy mrlimp
at Petrograd O., being made ready lur
OCCUPANCY
While the operation of american
troops at the front has been confined
10 narrow limits. the secretary saws,
their presence has hraucucd thc all,,
and increased faith in final ,rp,or.
Secretary Bakers Review.
The review. for the week ending
December 81, follows. in pant
The military situation at the begin.
ming OF the new wear /, a, follows.
"ln the west the British i'm tine Nprc,
salient occupy the high ground at the
PaSchendaele ridge and dominate the
Flanders plain
Their wedge in front oi Cambrs
though blunt has ripped a great zap
in the principal German line of de
fense.
The battle for Cambria proved that
the German defensive position, could
be broken and taken Though full ad
vantage was not taken Of the carly sue
cesscs gained by the British. ncycrlhc
less the disaster to German arms i'm
this battle was the most scriou, since
the Marne.
The French, by the capture Of the
Chemln deS Danes have secured the
key to the Laon area Their own line
OF defense remains unShdkcu
American Aid Heartens.
"DetachmcntS Of our own force, have
engaged the enemy While their op
etstious have been confined ro narrow
limits, their aid has been vigorous and
the presence Of American troop, IN the
firing line has heartcncd the allie, to
continue the struggle with increased
faith in final victory
During the period under review. the
combat situation remained unchanged
Reports Of the concentration oi hos
tile troop masses IN the west continue
TO be received
AS far as military operations in the
west are concerned, no events OF NOR,
than minor Importance are reported
The Germans have been busy rcproup-
ing their forces.
In the Italian theat,r the enemy is
continuing his persistent offensive OPP
erations in the mountain areas
The Italians have hitherto kreld firm
and reaped the advantage Of the success
gained last week when they captured
the valuable strategic terrain IN the
vicinity Of the Monte A,olonc
The AuStro-Gcrmans operating in
the region OF the Monte Asolonc have
been busy readlu,ting their tactical dl,.
positions and making further prcpara
''o',S Ior renewed offensive
..T' Tei"'sns save l'ailan situation
I"e Hu>'to- huEailan general staff
seel" 10 rear ,la' "i'hou' lulI Norman
support !, "1nlu not be dli1cult prob
e"t 'ol ','o i'a'IanN, SWonHIy reinforced
y rl1noh ana iHi'lSh divisions TO turn
inc ,ao'eS on 'helr invaders
we are now entering upon the third
nio'i'll OF tne oatlle lot the mastery ot
Nene'ld' ou,'e November y the enemy
mas oeen heId up along the PaNa Dur
ing 'ne ,aS' SIX weeks mo- really decisive
success mas been gained by the invader,
lney nave battered IN vain acam,, the
NauhGh resistance ol the Italian,
90. itahan success Unexpected.
=, keV'ewwlng the situation, 1t /, shown
that Inc irst German successes IN italy
iai exceed their most 'augunc hopes
Mheh ,hey became deeply involved IN
the ltaIian campaign they had no real
Droad p'an OF INVASION The local adj
Nahtages won by Au''ro-Ncrman
strategy were expanded. from day lo
nay as barriers Which they thcm,cNr.
believed would h'Id i'rm mys,cuou>h
gave way II Is evident from the rc
Peate1 uanSier OF troop, first from the
) renuno front to the Pave area and
later back again TO the Ircnlno that
me enemy wa, pursuing an opporlmr.t
pian OF campaign rather than following
"eIl-rounded-oul and definite rta'c
gioal oneratlon
An examination tI tll, t..t,...I d. .....