The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-05
ALLIES HOLD LINES.
SECRETARY BAKERS WEEKLY
REVIEW OF WAR SIT
UATION.
AustrO-Gcrmans Batter in Vain for
Six Weeks i'm Effort to Break
ThrOugh-Germban Embassy Build
ing Made Ready for Occupancy in
PetrOgrad.

the battle fronts is outlined by Sec
rotary Baker in his weekly review Of
military operation issued tonight In
the West, he says, the British domi-
nate the Flanders plain with a great
wedge into the principal German line
Of defense at Cambrai, while the
French, with their own lines un-
broken hold the key to the Laon area
through the capture of Chemin des
Danes.
Italy, supported by the allies, is
holding firm while the enemy, batter
ing in vain for six weeks against the
defenders, is busy preparing for a re-
newed offensive.
OF Russia the review merely says
the Germans are endeavoring to per-
suade that country that they are
eager to assist in restoring normal
conditions and that the German en-
bassy building at Petrograd is being
made ready for occupancy.
While the operation of American
troops at the front has been confined
to narrow limits. the secretary says
their presence has heartened the al
lies and increased faith in final VIC
tory.
The review for the week ending De-
cember 81 follows in part: 1.-The mill
tary situation at the beginning 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 domi-
nate the Flanders plain.
Their wedge in front of Cambrai,
though blunt, has ripped a great gap
in the principal German line of de-
fense.
'"The battle for Cambrai proved that
the German defensive positions could
be broken and taken. Though full
advantage was not taken Of the early
successes gained by the British new
ertheless the disaster to the German
arms in this battle 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.
"Detachments of our own forces
have engaged the enemy. While their
operations have been confined to mar
row limits their aid has been valua-
BILE and the presence of American
troops in the firing line has hearten-
ed the allies to continue the struggle
with increased faith in final victory.
During the period under review
the combat situation remained un-
changed.
Reports of the concentration of
hostile troop masses in the West con-
tinue to be received.
"As far as military operations in the
West are concerned no events Of more
than minor Importance are reported.
The Germans have been busy re-
grouping their forces
'In the italian theater the enemy
is continuing his persistent offensive
operations in the mountain area.
''The Italians have hitherto held
firm and reaped the advantage of the
successes gained last week when they
recaptured the valuable strategic ter
rain in the vicinity of Monte Asolone.
The Austro-Germans operating in
the region Of the Monte Asolone have
been busy readjusting their tactical
dispositions and making further prep
arations for q renewed offensive.
The Austro- Hungarian general
staff seem to fear that without full
German support it would not be a
difficult problem for the Italians,
strongly reinforced by French and
British divisions. to turn the tab'
on their invader.
I'VE are now entering upon the
third month of the battle for the
mastery of Venetia. Since November
0 the enemy has been held up along
the Piave. During the past six
weeks no really decisive success has
been gained by the invaders. They
have battered i'm vain against the
staunch resistance of the Italians.
"Reviewing the situation, it is re-
vealed that the first German success
OK in Italy far exceeded their most
sanguinc hopes. When they became
deeply involved i'm the Italian COM
paigning they had no real broad plan
of invasion. The local advantages
won by Austro- German strategy were
expanded from day to day as bar