The Robesonian., 1918-01-03
SUMMARY OF WAR NEWS
American Troops to be Rushed to
Fighting Fronts in Large Num-
bers-Germans Expected Soon
to Make Strong Offensive Lit
tie Fighting of Moment in Prog
ress-Peace Negotiations Reach
Impasse.

Entire unity henceforth is to be the
watchword of the United States and
her allies in the prosecution of the
war. American troops are to be rush
ed to the fighting fronts in large num-
bers as quickly as possible and there
is to be perfect coordination in nav
al, military, financial, food, war in
dustries and diplomatic matters.
The agreement for unified action
was reached at the recent inter-allied
conference in Paris, which was at
tended by an American mission headed
by Col E. M. House and arrangements
have been made for the United States
to carry out its part of the compact.
In order that American troops may
be dispatched in constant stream to
Europe, the allied nations are SO to
arrange their merchant shipping that
the necessary transports will be avail
able for the huge task. That quick
work in getting the American army
to the front is most vital is indicated
| by statement of Major General Maui
rice, chief director of military opera
| tions at the British war office. Cen
eral Maurice says it is probable that
with their heavy reinforcements
drawn from the eastern to the western
front, the Germans shortly may make
strong offensive against the British
and French armies and that the enemy
may be expected to make some gains.
Optimism was expressed, however
that the enemy would not be able to
inflict the same degree of damage up
on the Allies as he has sustained at
the hands of the British during the
last year.
Apparent proof that the Germans
are preparing for a big offensive is
the almost continuous bombardment o1
various sections along the French and
British fronts. Aside from these BON
bardments there has been little activ.
lty except by small raiding parties. A
heavy snow is falling and another colo
wave has set in on the< French from
from st. Quentin to the Vosges noun
tains.
Snow and cold weather also are civ
ing the Italians a chance further t,
strengthen their northern line agains
the Austro-Germans. Aside from re
4 clprocal artillery duels little fightin.
of moment is in progress. In an en-
deavor to offset their loss of grcs- a;
resulting from having been ariv.
Iback across the lower Piave the en-
emy has tried to effect a landing Of
the west bank of the stream shor
! distance from the mouth Of the Piave
t His boats, however, were caught un
: der the Italian gunfire and had to b
' abandoned.
' Austro- German airmen continue t
lombard Venetian plain towns Ire
y viso and Bassano have again been at
r tackled and bombs also were droppe
on Mestre. Little damage was don
s by the bombs. Three of the enem
e aircraft were shot down in aerial bat
/ tie or by anti-aircraft guns.
e Reports from Russia indicate ths
0 the negotiations for peace between tn
: Bolsheviki government and the Ter
e tonic allies have reached virtual in
passe owing to the unreasonable de
$ 1nands Of the Teutons. Particular
h distasteful to the Russians is the a
O titude of the Central powers with r.
e gard to holding Poland, Lithuania an
s Courlands and their determination t
: retain garrisons at Riga, Libau an
d other Baltic ports.
e Twenty-one British merchantnae
: were sunk by mines or submarine
n last week as compared with II tt
o previous week.