Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-08
ALLIES ABLE TO
STAND THE SHOCK
[Con;inued from First Page.1

CONTINUED from First Page.1
rtoops and the Germans may be ex-
pected to strain every fiber of their
remaining strength"
French Turn Scale
ON the Italian front, the secretary
points out, French successes have
turned the scale against the AusTTo
German invaders and the west bank
OF the Piave is being held firmly,
hampered by heavy snowfalls in the
Alps, he says, the invaders now are
confronted with a tremendous handi-
cap of maintaining. his transport
which neutralizes the advantage of
holding higher ground.
The period of adjustment, Secre
tary Baker says, has passed and it
may now be expected that "the
French, British and Italians, fight
ing side by side, will be able to mas
ter the situation.
The review, which this week
makes no mention of American
troops, follows:
Six weeks have elapsed since the
first rumors reached us of the great
thrust in the west which the enemy
then announced as imminent. In
order to concentrate large troop
masses, additional artillery and
ample reserves of munitions much
time is required.
Though the German higher COM
mand has so long delayed before
beginning operations. advices re-
ceived seemingly confirm the infor-
nation that important actions are
contemplated along the western
'front.'. They may be counted upon
TO strain every fiber of their re-
naming strength in an endeavor to
make their plans succeed.
British Steadily Victorious
In considering the general mill
tary situation on the eve of n pos
slble German offensive it must be
recalled that through sixteen sue
ceSslVe battles of great magnitude in
Flanders, the British have every time
come out victorious and pushed
steadily ahead. Their gains have
been methodical and cumulative. The
Germans have during this long
series of major operations invar-
1ably been forced to give way.
The French stood like a rock at
Nerdun and soon after drove forward
vigorously in the battle of the Somme
and in turn played a great part in
the repeated drives in Flanders.
The impending German offensive
will possibly be their great assault.
The French and British armies can
be relied upon to withstand the
shock.
Entire Front Active
"In the west no important opera
tions took place during the past
seven day period. The entire front
from the North Sea to the Swiss
border was very active. The Ger
mans continued their widely scat
tered thrusts while the French and
British parried with numerous re-
connoitering 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 con-
centrations.
In the Cambria area the enemy
undertook an attack in force. Here
the Germans in attempting flank
ing movement, which had as its i'm
mediate objective the further mar
rowing down of the British salient
were able to penetrate and hold tenn
porarily certain British trench ele-
ments, south of Marcoing. This ac-
tion was conducted with great
energy. The British immediate
countered and were able TO recap
ture a part of their lost positions.
Another hostile thrust was 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.
German Assault ColIapses
Southeast of Lens the enemy
made a renewed attempt to reach
the British outposts. but this assault
collapsed before any result could be
obtained; while the British later in
the week advanced their trenches in
this area.
minor raids were carried on
throughout the week by both the
British and Germans. Numerous
patrol encounters also were reported.
Intense artillery bombardments
in the Lens and Cambria sectors
would indicate that the enemy has
selected his terrain for a concen-
trated assault.
THE French front remains rela-
lively quiet. Severe cold prevailed.
Spirited artillery were reported in
Champagne and in the region of
the right bank of the Meuse. Hos
tile infantry activity was noted in
the region east of st. Michel and
near ST. Quentin but the efforts to
set in motion an attack against the
French lines were in each case
readily dispersed.
Italians Reorganize
after fighting on the defensive
for ten weeks the Italians, firmly
supported by the Franco British
forces, have been able to re-organ-
ize their dispositions in the field
Thereupon the French, seizins a
favorable opportunity, passed to the
offensive in the neighborhood of the
Monte Tomba. The outcome of