Republican farmer., 1918-01-25
EXPECT THRUST BY HUN,
 ASSERTS BAKER

dom for the Central empires.
 The review is for the week ending Jan. 19. It says:
 There is little to record in the way of military activity during the last week. On the western front the Allies are maintaining an expectant attitude.
 While the enemy has been busy concentrating his offensivce forces, the British and French have greatly strengthened their defensive disposi- tions, reorganized their tactical ar- engagements, which in many areas were hitherto chiefly of an offensive character and are now prepared for every eventUality.
 ''The recent events in Russia, which have removed from the theatre of active operations more than 300 miles of front in the east, the inva- sion of Italy and the consequent shortening of the battle line in this zone by nearly 150 miles, have re- | suited in greatly increased strategic freedom for the Central empires.
 Reviewing the minor operations which took place during the period | under examination, it is noticeable l that ascendant initiative and alert ness is again displayed by the Allies. | We find the British and French actively raiding the German lines, driving in outposts and patrols. l Along the British front the enemy for the first time in many weeks maintained a relatively passive atti- tude. The British sent out numerous raiding parties.
 East of Loos in the shell torn ter rain the scene of such fierce fighting during the last summer, a sharply conducted operation by the British was brought to a successful conclu- sion. The British broke into the Ger man line and captured several pris- oners.
 North of St. Quentin and east of Mericourt the British had brushes with the enemy which resulted favor ably.
 Tn the neighborlrood of Lens a Canadian detachment launched raid against the Germans, which was crowned with success. This under taking was carried out with the usual Canadian dash and not only were the Canadians able to penetrate the en- emy's positions, but. they held them as long as they deemed it expedient and only retired after infiicting seri- ous damage and taking prisoners.
 Southwest of Armentieres the en- emy advanced against a British out post but was speedily driven back.
 Artillery activity was noted in the Ypres section and enemy fire was IJ.- Nf (Fav brai salient.
 "Air raids in hostile territory were numerous, not only in the theatre c. operations where German ammuni tion dumps in the region of Rouler! and rail heads and cantonments il Flanders proved to be good targets but daylight attacks by air craft il force were carried out against Ger
 man cities The raids on Karlsruhe
 proved particularly effective. 1 'In the Italian theatre the successes
 of the preceding week have been en
 larged and extended.
 '"The Italians launched, success
 fully, along three separate segment
 of the line, a series of formidable as saults which resulted in a decided
 advantage for their forces engaged.
 "The first attack was made east o , Capo Sile in the Piave delta, whicl brought about material extension
 of the Italian bridge head along tn,
 lower Piave.
 ''The second, in the region betweel
 the Monte Tomba and the Mont
 Solarolo. was a tactical gain of posi- tive value in that it greatly strength 7 ened the Italian disposition in thi
 area.
 ) "'The third and by far the mos } important undertaking resulted il . bringing about a, rectifcation of Ital 3 ian dispositions in the Monte Asolon t sector, which rendered secure trencl 5 elements heretofore not devoid o serious weakness.
 5 This last achievement must b 3 looked on as of essential signifcanc
 in that it has removed the menace o the enemy being able to turn tn 8 Italian flank in the region of tn r Monte Grappa. The only reaction pl g the part of the enemy took place ii a the Piave delta, where the Austrian - attempted to regain the ground los : east cf Cape Sile. The enemy wa f driven back without gaining any 0 = his objectives and suffered severe cas- r ualties It would seem that it is nov clear that the pressure of the Aus n trians in this area has been mate r rialy lessened.
 = Artillery was intern1ittentfy activ e along the entire front and the Britis e batteries rendered good service in tn r Montello sector.
 l. Clear weather favored the task c 2 the aviators. Numerous hostile ai
 raids took place, directed against var tious centers in the Venetian plai
 close to the fighting area.
 'HThe enemy was busy bombing un Idefended Italian towns, Padua an
 Treviso were attacked in broad day light, and numerous encounters Joe
 tween Austrian and Italian airme
 were recorded.
 = sNThe Italians in turn were bus l. breaking up hostile working partie r and harassing centers of military at .' tivity.
 e ''In Russia a deadlock on the peac negotiations of Brest-Litovsk ha T again been Areported.
 '~The BriNsh forces were active Q the Palestine theater. Gen. Allenb
 has strengthened his defensive pos
 ton and extended his lines. FrequeT l. patrol encounters are noted. The CT e emy is being cleared out of village : north of Jerusalem and a frmer hol l. on the Holy City is thus assured" :, 6 DISAGREE OVER = NFW HFTGHT 0E