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SEND THiS PAPER HOME -=CAMP HANCOCK==~ ONE CENT POSTAGE I ! ' ~ i \ Y Published Under Auspices of National War Work Council Y.M.C.A. of the United States Vol. 1. SECRETARY BAKER’S WEEKLY REVIEW Declares That Germany’s In sidious Peace Propaganda Shall Not Cause Slacking of War Preparations. Washington, D. C.—Germany’s new est peace propaganda, viewed as a fore runner to an offensive in the west un less German-made peace is accepted by the allies and the United States “should not for a moment induce us to slacken our preparations for war,” says Sec retary Baker today in his weekly re view of the military situation. “The Germans realize,’ ’continues the statement, “that within a short time our armies will form the principal body of fresh strategic reserves remaining available on the battlefields of Europe. “Our armies constitute the reserves of victory.” The review points out that the fight ing morale of Italians may be relied I on no matter how intensive the Ger man pace campaign becomes and says." “The Italian theater once again is the scene of important military activity. “The enemy impatient of the delays which have occurred in bringing about the successful penetration of the Ital ian plain and the overthrow of the italian armies, has dispatched further forces to the Italian front with a view to achieving a decisive result. German Endeavor. “The Germans are endeavoring to follow the precepts of classic strategy and by a successful enveloping move ment to effect the destruction of the Italian and allied forces. “It would appear that they are anx oius to conclude their Italian adven ture in a manner similar to the prev ious campaigns of Russia, Serbia and Rumania where, as a result of the strategic developments gained at rela tively small costs, vast tracts of ter ritory were conquered. “Enemy pressure continues intense along the entire front. “The Germans hope to drive the Ital ians back to the Adige, anticipating that such a reverse would have a very disintegratin ginfluence throughout all Italy. “It is apparent that the Germans have not given up all hope of bringing about a social upheaval in Italy, as they did in Russia after their victo rious campaigns of 1915. “No matter how intensive this new subservise propaganda may be. never theless w cn coenfidently rely on the fighting morale of the Italian people. “Along the western front the enemy has continued his harrassing raids with a view to keeping the allied forces on the alert. However, none of the engage ments recorded in the west were of more than local importance. “It would appear that as a fore runner to the German offensive her alded to be launched in the west, an intensive peace propaganda is to be initiated. "Careful examination of the situation reveals that the enemy is again prepar ing to sue for “peace before victory.” Information from various sources confirms the reports that the Germans would have the world believe that the military situation as such that they are able to dictate the terms of peace. They, therefore, threaten that unless this dictated peace is accepted by the allied powers and ourselves, the Ger man forces now being concentrated on the western front will break through the allied line in the west. “The various reports of immediate peace proposals by the Germans on seemingly favorable? terms should not for a moment induce us to slacken our preparations for war. “It is only necessary for Us to recall that during the Christmas season of last year the Germans put forth very similar peace rumors. the general military situation in its true light, it myst be; understood that the Germans realize that within a short time our armies will form the prine'pal body of fresh strategic reserves remaining availab v THE AUGUSTA HERALD Edition for. CAMP HANCOCK Augusta, Ga. SECRETARY BAKER’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE ■■II! ■■ lEWR I 111 Pral iw" W’ 1 '! 1 ?!"’' 1 III! jl jj|l' 1 Wh. 1 Christmas Message Wt ||||lllllj .0 I* .■ TK TONE .but lofty purposes and jlyfl iVnu Hllllllll IN exalte d motives could jus- ’ Imyllll Gfy the keeping of hundreds sp HMKI of thousands of men from their {j 1 'BS J homes and families at this time Mi O|i jl IW® of Christmas, but the measure of fflli |||| that sacrifice will be the measure also of the triumphant achieve- I w | H ment that will follow it. ] M jjl There is mighty comfort in the ' nl Ml : | knowledge that the history of ffl Jadal these days will make a record I II jU ■W not unworthy of the proud tradi- I 111 sfey tion of our past when again there I II IQar is peace on earth. ’B I NEWTON D. BAKER, 'll ' Secretary of War. [ & ' | UH i 11 Major General Muir Wishes All A Merry Christmas BY MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES H. MUIR, COMMANDER 28th DIVISION. Christmas is with us once again—the happiest, holiest day of all the year—the day that brings more gladness and joy into human lives in Christian lands than all other days put together. For almost 2,000 years, the Christinas spirit has been developing. It is far from perfect today; but yet there is a great concerted effort to bring happiness and joy into the world. The murderous slaughter in Eu rope and Asia is an abnormal growth on the life of the nations, which, when removed, will restore us purged and purified and more exalted in our ideals of service than ever before. As we gather about the mess table, our thoughts will go out to other days; to our dear ones who may be far away; to the friends back home; and we may feel assured they will be thinking of us, and through the ether there will come to us their messages of good cheer, of remembrance, of future success, that shall sanctify the day in this crucial moment of our history. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. for action on the battlefields of Eu rope. “It is our duty, therefore, tn looking to the future, to realize that if we are to fulfill the pledge we made on enter ing the war,, if we are to fight this war to a successful conclusion, we must assume the full responsibility which rests upon us. “We are the freshest in the struggle; we have the reserve man power and the reserve mechanical power, “Our armies constitute the reserves DECEMBER 24, 1917 of victory. “In Russia ,the armistice negotia-’ tions having been concluded peace ne gotiations are about to be entered upon. “Reports of the dissatisfaction of a large element of the Russian popula tion', especially in southern and cen tral Russia, with the terms of the ar mistice has led to the formation of active opposition which it is bejieved will endeavor to resist all attempts to enforce the proposals agreed to by the Lenine government.” ARMY NEWS FOR ARMY MEN AND THEIR HOME FOLKS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, HOLIDAYS Captain Baker, of the British Army, Introduces Application of Masks. Sixteenth Week of Training Begins. The approaching holiday season finds the men of the Twenty-Eighth Division about to enjoy a period of well-earnea rest and recreation from the intensive training to which they have been sub jected since their first steps in Camp Hancock. From the splendid exhibi tions on all sides, it can be seen that the men are moving nearer the goal of perfection steadily, and without ex ception, results have been more than gratifying to the energetic officers who have spared no effort in this purpose. With the coming of their sixteenth week of training, the Artillery Brigade under General Price will have covered I a well-defined course of range work, having demonstrated their qualifica tions in t,hat direction before their practice ceased. Many of the Infantry units have had several days’ practice on the rifle range and the spirit displayed by all hands promises the closest margins in the final tally. The men -have been im pressed with the importance of their piece, and have taken hold with de termination to win. Under the supervision of Captain Baker of the British Military Mission, several of the units have been intro duced to the novelty of applying the masks which are such a necessary part of trench warfare. This work will be continued for several weeks. Probably the most spectacular ex hibitions of bayonet practice were given at the reservoir last week under the direction of Captain Ryan of the Brit ish Mission. The men are learning the new drill in splendid fashion, and are perfecting themselves rapidly. The Infantry regiments, under the Division Engineer Officer, have com pleted a section of trenches which will be put in practical use in the execu tion of the program for the future. Considerable practice was had in the building of bridges and in reconnois sance work. During the past few days, the men of the Fie’d Hospital have done some clever work pitching and removing the hospital tents to various parts of the drill ground of the Sanitary Train. The men struck one of the large tents and stored it on the wagon in exactly eight minutes. The Field Signal Battalion enjoyed some unusual w-ork in field signaling while attached to the artillery brigade on the range. The new units arriving in camp are quartered on the site of the former 55th Infantry Brigade. A number of the men are in quarantine for obser vation purposes. Major General Muir has ordered that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday be observed throughout the Division as holidays, with the dropping of all work except that which is absolutely essen tial. The government has arranged that each man in the Division shall have not less than one pound of tur key, with all the other accompanying delicacies, for his Christmas dinner. Many of the mess halls have been beautified for the occasion. The Christmas message of Major General Muir will be found elsewhere in this issue. PROGRAM FOR JEWISH BOYS On Tuesday evening, there wpl be l a dance at Alliance Hall, at 8:15, to which the men at Camp Hancock are invited. Friday evening, services will be held at Y. M. C. A. Tent 80, at 6:45 sharp. The Open Forum will meet at the Alliance Hall Sunday afternoon at 2:30 and a treat is in store. Every evening the Alliance Hall is open for the soldiers at Camo Hancock and an invitation is given the boys to call. A. B. KURTZ, Representative J. B. W. W. No. 12 i -■ s s I ET if I H s s