The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-01-22
EXPECT
THRUST BY HUN,
ASSERTS BAKER

washington, Jan. " -Tne Allies
are maintaining an e0pectant attitude
on the western front. Secretary Baker
said yesterday in his weekly war re-
view, while recent events in Russia
have greatly increased strategic free
dom for the Central empires.
The review is for the week ending
Jan. 10: 1t 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 DISPOSE
lions, reorganized their tactical .ar-
rangements, 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 900
miles of front in the east the inva-
sion of Italy and the consequent
shortening of the battle line in this
zone by nearly $50 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
that ascendant initiative and alert
ness is again displayed by the Allies.
I'VE find the British and French
actively raiding the German lines,
driving in outposts and patrols.
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.
Il North of St Quentin and east OF
Mericourt the British had brushes
with the enemy which resulted favor
. ably.
'Tn the neighborhood of Lens q
Canadian detachment launched a raid
against the Germans, which was
crowned with success. This under
taking was carried out with the usua
Canadian dash and not only were the
Canadians able to penetrate the en-
emy's positions, but they held then
/ as long as they deemed it expedient
{ and only retired after inf1icting seri-
= Gus damage and taking prisoners.
Southwest of Armentieres the en-
envy advanced against a British out
; post but was speedily driven back.
. Artillery activity was noted in the
/ Ypres section and enemy fire wa!
, lively in the area south of the Cam
brai salient.
, 'Air raids in hostile territory wer
a numerous, not only in the theatre o
operations where German ammuni
4 ton dumps in the region of Rouler
and rail heads and cantonments il
y Flanders proved to be good targets
but daylight attacks by air craft il
force were carried out against Ger
man cities. The raids on Karlsruh
l proved particularly effective.
TN the Italian theatre the successe
of the preceding week have been en-
= 1arged and extended.
1.-THE Italians launched, success
- fully, along three separate segment
L of the line, series of formidable as
saults which resulted in a decidet
advantage for their forces engaged.
= 1.-THE first attack was made east o
Capo Sile in the Pave delta, whicl
= brought about a material extension
of the Italian bridge head along tn
lower Piave.
1.-The second, in the region between
the Monte Tomba and the Mont
Solarolo, was a tactical gain of posi-
tive value in that it greatly strength
| ened the Italian disposition in thi
area.
= 1.-The third and by far the mos
= important undertaking resulted il
bringing about e rectiication of Ital
ian dispositions in the Monte Asolon
sector, which rendered secure trencl
elements heretofore not devoid O
h serious weakness.
This last achievement must b
4 looked on as of essential signifcanc
in that it has removed the menace o
/ the enemy being able to turn tn
Italian flank in the region of tn
Monte Grappa. The only reaction ol
the part of the enemy took place il
4 the Pave delta, where the Austrian
attempted to regain the ground los
east of Cape Sile. The enemy wa
driven back without gaining any 0
his detectives and suffered severe cas-
ualties. 1t would seem that it is nov
clear that the pressure Of the Aus
TRANS in this area has been mate
rally Iessened.
Artillery was internationally activ
4 along the entire front and the BIRTHS
batteries rendered good service in tn
Montello sector.
Clear weather favored the task G
the aviators. Numerous hostile al
raids took place, directed against var
ious centers in the Venetian plai
close to the fighting area.
1.-THE enemy was busy bombing IN
defended Italian towns, Padua an
Treviso were attacked in broad day
light, and numerous encounters he
tween Austrian and Italian airme
were recorded.
The Italians in turn were bus
n breaking up hostile working partie
and harassing centers Of military az
tfvity.
"In Russia a deadlock on the peac
negotiations of Brest-Litovsk ha
again been reported.
THE British forces were active
the Palestine theater. Gen. Allenh
has strengthened his defensive pos
ton and extended his lines Freque1
4 / natroI encounters are noted The Ell