, 1914-12-02
Censored at Jamaica.)

London, Nov. 30th--Field Marshal Sir
John French's reports Of the operations to
November 22nd contain the following
passages concerning points not mentioned in
previous official dispatches sThe value
and significance of the operations since the
commencement OF bostilities by the Allies in
the west lie ia the fact that Mt the moment
when the eastern provinces Of Germany ale in
imminent danger of being overrun by the
numerous and powerful armies Of Russia,
nearly the whole active army of Germany
is tied drown 10 the trenches extending from
Verdun to Newport, where they are held
with much reduced numbers and impaired.
morale by the successful action Of our troops.
AS 1 close this despatch there are signs that
we are possibly in the last stages of the
battle from Ypres to Armentieres. For sew
eral days pnst the artillery fire of the enemy
has slackened considerably and his infantry
attacks have practically ceased. Documents
found on dead officers prove that the Prus-
sian Guards had received the Kaiser's special
command to break through where their
comrades of the line had fuiled, and they
took the leading part i'll The rigorous attacks
made against our centre on the 18th and
10Th instant, but, like their comrades, they
were repulsed with enormous casualties.
He pays a high ribute to General Sir Doug
las Haig and his divisional brigade comman-
ders, who~held the line with marvellous
tenacity and undaunted courage, saying,
t'Their deeds during these days of stress
and trial will furnish some of the most brilli-
ant chapters Which will be found in the mill
tary history of our time, Praise also IS
given to tue third calvary division under
General Byng, whose troops had been re-
peatedly called upon to restore the situation
at critical points and fill gaps in line caused
by the tremendous losses which occurred.
He makes special mention of Colonel Wilson,
ROYAL Horse Guards, Major Downay Second
Life Guards and General Fitzciarence, Ilish
Guards, who were killed, and also of General
the Earl Of Cavar, who Oh many occasions
was conspicuous for the skill, coolness aud
courage with which he had led bis troops.
OF the Flying Corps, the report says that
every day new methods of employing them
both strategically and tactically, are dlscov-
cred and put into practice. Concerning the
Territorials, The Field Marsha! says: "Their
conduct under fire and The efficient manner
in which they have carried out their duties
have imbued me with the highest hope re-
garding the value and help Of the Territorial
troops generally. I cannot speak too highly
of the services rendered by the Royal Ar
tillery. Despite the fact that the enemy
brought up guns OF great range and shell
power, our men succeeded throughout in
preventing him from establishing anything
in The nature OF n superiority in his artillery.
Tie skill, courage and energy displayed by
the commanders Of the Royal Artillery lave
been very marked, and the Royal Engineers
have been in~defatigable in their efforts to
assist the Infantry in field, fort;ficatioD and
trench work. [ deeply regret the heavy
casualties we have suffered. but the nature
of the fighting has been very desperate.
We have been assailed by vastly superior
numbers, bet l have every reason to know
that throughout we have placed at least
three times as many of the enemy hors oe
combat i'll killed. wounded and prisoners.
The Indian troops, since their arrival in this
country and their occupation on the liue
allotted 10 them, have much impressed me
by the initiative and resource III ness dis