New-York tribune., 1918-01-22
Allies Ready for
Attack ON West,
Says Baker Review
Have Strengthened Defen.
sive Positions and Are
Prepared for Every
Eventuality

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-Thc Allies
are maintaining an expectant attitude
." 'he Western front, Secretary Baker
stated to-day in his weekly war re-
Vlcw' while recent events in Russia have
greatly increased strategic freedom for
the Central Empires. The review for
the week ended January 19 says:
There is little to record in the wav
OF military activity during the past
week. On the Western front the Allies
are maintaining an cxpcctant attitude.
While the enemy has been con-
centrating his offensive forces. the
British and French have greatly
strengthened their defensive DISPOSE
tlons, reorganized their tactical ar
rangements, which in many areas were
hitherto chiefly of an offensive char
acter, and arc now prepared for every
eventuality
THE recent events in Russia. which
have removed from the theatre of active
operations over 900 miles of front in
the East, the invasion of Italy and the
consequent shortening of the battle
line in this zone by nearly 150 miles,
have resulted in greatly increased
strategic freedom for the Central EN-
pires.
Allies Display Alertness
"Reviewing the minor operations
which took place during the period
under examination, it is noticeable that
ascendant initiative and alcrtness is
again disployed by the Allies. We find
the British and French actively raid
ing the German lines, driving in out
posts and patrols.
"Along the British front the enemy
for the first time in many weeks main
tanned relatively passive attitude.
The British sent out numerous raiding
parties.
east of Loos in the shell-torn ter
rain, the scene of such fierce fighting
during the past summer, sharply con-
Quoted operation by the British was
brought to successful conclusion. The
British broke into the German line and
captured a number of prisoners.
"In the ncighborhood of Lens a
Canadian detachment launched a raid
against the Huns which was crowned
with success. This undertaking was
carried out with the usual Canadian
dash, and not only were the Canadians
able to penetrate the encmy's positions,
but they held them as long as they
deemed it expedient, and only retired
after inflicting serious damage and TAX
ing prisoners.
Air raids in hostile territory were
numerous, not only in the theatre Of
operations, where German ammunition
dumps in the region of Roulers and
railheads and cantonments in Flanders
proved good targets, but daylight at
tacks by aircraft in force were carried
out against German cities The raids
on Karlsruhe proved particularly etfec-
tive.
Italians Made Gains
"Thc Italians launched successfully
along three separate, segments of the
lines a series of formidable assaults
which resulted in a decided advantage
for their forces.
"The first attack was made east of
NapO Ole. Ill lHo fldNc delta, which
brought about a material extension of
the Italian bridgehcad along the lower
Piave.
"Thc second, in the region between
the Monte Tomba and the Monte So
larolo, was tactical gain of positive
value, in that it greatly strengthened
the Italian disposition in this area.
"The third, and by far the most i'm
portant, undertaking resulted in bring
ing about rectitication Of Italian dis
positions in the Monte Asolone sector,
which rendered secure trench elements
heretofore not devoid Of serious weak
ness.
"This last achievement must be
locked upon as Of essential significance,
in that it has removed the menace of
the enemy being able to turn the Ital-
ian flank in the region of Monte
Grappa. The only reaction on the part Of
the enemy took place in the Piavc delta,
where the Austrians attempted to re-
gain the ground lost east Of Capo Sile.
The enemy was driven back without
gaining any of it's objectivcs and suf-
fercd severe casualties.'