The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-01-03

Washington, Dec. 31.-What, the
keginu;ng Of the new year mas at
the battle fronts is outlined by Sec.
Rotary Baker in his weekly review OF
military operations issued tonight.
In the west, he says, the British DOM
mate the Flanders plain with great
wedge into the principal line OF de-
tense at Cambria, while the French,
WITH their own lines unbroken, hold
The key to the Loan area through the
capture of Chemin Des Danes.
Italy, supported by the allies. is
holding firm while the enemy, after
hattering in vain for six weeks
against the defenders, is preparing
for renewed offensive.
OF Russia the review merely says
xhe Germans are endeavoring to
persuade that country that they are
eager to assist in restoring normal
rursditions and that the German en-
hzssy building at Petrograd is be-
sng made ready for occupancy.
While the operation Of American
troops at the front has been confined
to narrow limits, the secretary says
their presence has heartened the al
kes and increased faith in final vic
Sorry.
The review, for the week ending
December 81, follows in part:
''The military situation at the be-
ginning of the new year is as fol-
Rows:
"I,1 the west the British in the
Ypres salient occupy the highest
ground Of the Passachendaele ridge
and dominate the Flanders plain.
@arheir wedge in France Of Cam
brai has ripped great gap in the
principal German line of defense.
German line of defense.
1.-The battle for Cambria proved
xhat the German defensive positions
could be broken and taken. The full
advantage was not taken of the ear
Fer successes gained by the British,
nevertheless the disaster to German
arnls in this battle was the most SER
nous since the Marine.
@The French, by the capture of
Che Chemin Des Danes, have captur-
aa6 the key to the Laon area. Their
own line of defense remains unshak-
en-
10etachments of our own forces
have engaged the enemy. While
their operations have been confined
to narrow limits, their aid has been
valuable; and the presence of Amer
wan troops in the firing line has
aaartsusd he allies to continue the
struggle with increased faith in f.
nal victory.
During the period under review,
the: combat situation remained un-
changed.
aaReports Of the concentration of
hostile troops in the west continue
do be received.
AS Tar as military operations in
the west are concerned, no events
OF more than minor Importance are
reported The Germans have been
busy regrouping their forces
1ln the Italian theater, the enemy
is continuing his persistent often
sive operations in the mountain
area.
Italians Hold Firm
1.-THE Italians have hitherto held
firm and reaped the advantage of the
success gained last week when they
captured the valuable strategic. ter
NAN in the vicinity of the Monte AS
oiona
THE Austro- Germans, operating in
the region of the Monte Asolone
have been busy readjusting their
tactical dispositions and making fur
thsr preparations for renewal Of
fensive.
1The Austro- Hungarian general
staff seems to fear that without full
German support it would not be
difficult problem for the Italians,
strongly reinforced by French and
British divisions, to turn the tables
an the invaders.
I'VE are now entering on the
third month of the battle for the
mastery of Veneia. Since Novem-
Der 9 the enemy has been held up
along the Piave. During the past
six weeks, no really decisive success
has been gained by the invaders.
They have been battered in vain
against the staunch resistance of
the Italians.