Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-09
GREATEST OFFENSIVE
Of GERMANY EXPECTED
Aaiser's Last and Mightiest Military
Effort Is Imminent on the
Western Front.
ALLIES AWAITING ASSAULT
They Are Confident Teutons VIII BE
Thrown Back as in Every Other
Attempt They Have Made TO
i. Pierce Barrier OF Steel

Iected German offensive in the west,
Secretary Bakers weekly war review
s6to-da. says, will possibly be their
s greatest assault" but "the British and
French armies can he relied upon TO
Withstand the shock"
Summarizing tho situation on the
eve OF a possible great offensive. Sec
rotary Baker confidently points out
that through sixteen fierce battles OF
great magnitude the British and
French steadily have pushed ahead
with methodical and cumulative gains.
The expected offensive. he points out,
4 probably is being delayed for massing
great supplies of munitions. guns and
troops. and the Germans may be e1-
pected TO strain every fiber of their
remaining strength"
On the Italian front, the secretary
points out, French successes have
turned the scale against the Austro-
German invaders, and the west bank
Of the Piavc is being held firm. Ham
. percd by heavy snowfalls In the Alps.
he says. the invader now Is confront ed
with tremendous handicap of main
tanning his transport, which neutralizes
the advantage of holding higher
ground
HAS SAFELY PASSED
II The period OF adjustment. Secretary
Baker says, has passed, and It may
now be expected that tho French.
British and Italians. fighting side by
side. will be able to master tho situ-
alton"
Tho review, which this week makes
no mention OF American troops, fol-
lows:
six weeks have elapsed since tho
first rumors reached US of the great
( thrust in the west which tho enemy
then announced as imminent.
In order 70 concentrate largo troop
masses. adequate artillery and ample
reserves OF munitions. much time is
! required.
Though the German higher com
mand has SO long delayed before be-
ginning operations, advices received
seemingly confirm tho information tina
important actions are contemplated
long the western front. They may be
counted upon TO strain every fiber OF
n their remaining strength in an en-
deavor TO make their plans succeed
ss In considering the general military
situation on the eve Of a possible Ger
man offensive. it must be recalled that
E -
great magnitude in Flanders the Brit
i ish have every time come out victorious
I and pushed steadily ahead. Their gains
have been nethodical and cumulative.
The Germans have during this long
series OF major operations invariably
( been forced to give way
The French stood like a rock at Yer
dun and soon after drove forward Wig
orously in the battle of the Somme.
and in turn played great part in the
repeated drives in Fla
OFFENSIVE OF GERMANS
PROBABLY THEIR LAST
The impending German offensive viii
fpossbiy be their great assault. Tho
French and British armies can be re-
lied upon to withstand tho shock
In the west no important operation,
took place during the past seven-day
period The entire front from the
North Sea to the Swiss border was yery
I, active. Tho Germans continued their
widely scattered thrusts. while the
FRENCH and British PARKED with nurncr-
Gus accommodating raids and careful
n patrollinE. They remained on the oui
,rive. taking note of every minor
change In the German order OF battle.
keeping closely informed OF hostil.
troop movements and concentrations.
In the Cambria area, the enemy un-
oertook an attack in force. Here. the
Germans, In attempting a Banking
movement which had as its immediate
objective the further narrowing down
OF the British salient, were abb. 10
penetrate and hold temporarily certain
eHeisn trench elements south of Mar
cong mis- action was conducted with
great energy. The British immediately
couatered. and were able 10 recaptur.
part OF their lost positions
Another hostile thrust wa. under.
taken close to the Canal Du Nord
where the enemy scored local ad
vantage. as he was able slightly TO
press back the British
Southeast OF Lens the enemy n,,o
q renewed attempt 20 reach the Hritish
outposts, but this assault cola nsca \.
Tore any result could be obtained.
F while the British later in the week sd
"anced their trenches in this area
Minor raids were carried on
throughout the week by both the Brit.
i tsh and Germans. Numerous natro, an
counters were also reported IN
intensS ARTILLERY bombardment. In
the Lens AND Cambria sectors would
indicate tb5t the enery has selected
Il This terrsFl for a concentrated assam,
Ie French front remains relatively
/. quiet. Severe cold prcvailcd.I Sni-i,cd
artillery duels ~ete reported in cham
4 ragne and In the region OF the RINK
bank Of the Meus..
Hostile infantry activity was noted
In the region east OF St. Mihie, ana
pear st. Quentin. tut mo efforts 10
<et IN motion an attack acains. the
French lines were in each case readily
dispersed.
After fghtinE on the defensive for
Ten weeks, the Italians, firmly supnor,.
90 by the Franco British forces b.ya
Deen able to rcorganizs their disnosi-
lions IN the field ThcrcuDon ~.
french. selling favorable opportun-
ny, passed 10 the offensive j., ,ba
neighborhood of the Monte Torlba. tn.
+ outcome OF their undertaking vas
singularly fortunate.
This vi,aily important strategic
point which. had /. remained in tn.
hands OF tho enemy, would hav. ~.
-.71oFded him