The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-09
Secretary of War Issues Weekly Statement of the War Situation on All
 Fighting Fronts
ENEMY EXPECTED TO STRAIN EVERY FIBRE OF WANING STRENGTH
British, French and Italians, With American Aid, Will Be Able to
 Turn Tide

Washington, January s. The expected German offen- sive in the west, Secretary Bakers weekly war review to- day says, "Will possibly be their gratest assault, but the British and French armies can be relied upon to withstand the shock"
 Summarizing the situation on the eve of a possible great offensive Secretary Baker confidently points out that through 16 fierce offensive battles of great magnitude the Brit ish and French steadily have pushed ahead with methodical and cunu- lative gains. The expected offensive, he points out probably is being de- layed for massing great supplies of munitions, guns and troops and the Germans may be expected to ssstraiu every fibre 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 Piave Is being held firm. Ham pered by heavy snowfalls in the Alps, l he says, the invader is now confronted with a tremendous handicap of main taining his transport, which neutral izes the advantage of holding higher ground.
 | The period of adjustment, Secretary Baker says. has passed and 1t may now be expected That the French. British and Italians, fighting side by side, will be able to master the situa- tion.
 The 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 the enemy 1 then announced as imminent. "In order to concentrate large 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- l ginning operations, advices received seemingly confirm the information I that important actions are contem- plated along the western front They l may be counted upon to strain every l fibre of their remaining strength Tn an endeavor to make their plans suc- Il ceed.
 l Tn considering the general military il situation on the eve of a possible Ger I man offensive, 1t must be recalled that i through 16 successful battles of great i magnitude in Flanders, the British Il have every time come out victorious and pushed steadily ahead. Their gains T have been methodical and cumulative. I The Germans have. during this long I series of major operations. invariably l been forced to give way. The French i stock like a rock at Verdun ana soon after drove forward vigorously in the l battle of the Somme and in turn played a great part in the repeated drives in Flanders.
 "The impending German offensive ,| will possible be their great assault. J The French and British armies can be ,I relied upon to withstand the shock. I "In the west no important operations T took place during the past seven days ] period The entire front from the 'I North sea to the Swiss border was very active. The Germans continued their widely scattered thrusts. while Il the French and British countered with numerous reconnoitering raids and careful patrolling. They remained on the qui vive. taking note of every minor change in the German order of battle, Keeping closely informed of
 hostile troop movements and concen- trations.
 .In the Cambrai area the enemy un- dertook an attack in force. Here the lGermans, in attempting a flanking movement, which had as its immediate objective the further narrowing down of the British salient, were able to penetrate and hold temporarily certain
 British trench clements south of Mar Icoing. This action was conducted with great energy. The British immediately countered and were able to recapture a part of their lost positions
 "Another hostile thrust was under
 taken close to the Canal Du Nord.
 where the enemy scored a local advan-
 tage, as he was able slightly to press
 back the British.
 "Southeast of Lens the enemy made
 a renewed attempt to reach the Britt ish outposts, but this assault col- liapsed before any result could be ob- jtained, while the British later in the
 week advanced their trenches in this Iarea.
 .sMinor raids were carried on Ithroughout the week by both tho Brit