Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-30
Tactics Of English and French
Forces Are Defensive With
an Offensive Movement Now
and Then,
HEAVY CASUALTIES
OCCUR IN BATTLES
Enemy'S Attacks SIacken and
General French Believes He
Is Now in Last Phases of
Struggle,

iss MOANING JovrsA. SPECIAL lsAsao w,ssl
London, Nov. ~ a y. m.D--Field
Marshal Sir John French. comman-
der-in-chicf OF the British forces In
the field. speaks In an optimistic vein
concerning the position Of the allies In
"a report issued today by the official
press bureau. The report covers in a
general way the activities OF the Brit
ish troops from November II TO the
Goth.
Summing up the situation In his re-
port Field Marshal French says
"As close this dispatch signs are
in evidence that we are possibly in
the last stages of the battle from
Ypres to Armentieres For several
days past the artillery fire Of the en-
emy has slackened considerably and
his infantry attncks practically have
ceased.
Military situation.
I'm remarking upon the general
military situation Of the allies. as Il
appears to me at tho present moment,
1t does not seem 20 be clearly under
stood that the operations In which wo
have been engaged embrace nearly all
I of the central part OF the continent
OF Europe from the east TO the west.
English armies In the west, and the
Russian army In the east are OPPOSED
20 the united forces OF Germany and
Austria. acting as combined armies
between US.
German Forces superior
Our enemies elected at the open
Ing OF the war to throw the weight of
their forces against our armies IN the
west and to dctach only eompara~
ltivcly weak force. composed of very
Z, few first line troops and several corps
Of second and third line troops to
stem the Russian advanccYuntil the
western forces could be completely
defeated and overwhelmed Their
strength enabled them from the out
set 10 throw greatly superior forces
against US In the west. This precludcs
the possibility OF our taking vigorous
offensive action except when niiscal-
culations and mistakes arc made "
their commanders, opening up special
opportunities for successful attacks
and pursuit
Holding Positions.
"The battle OF the Marne was an
example of this, as also was our ad-
vance from st. Omar and Hnzebrouek
To the line of the River Bys at the
commencement of this battle. The
role which our armies IN the west
consequently have been called upon to
fulfill has been to occupy strong de-
fenslye positions, holding ground
gained and inviting the enomy's at
tack and to throw back these attacks.
causing the enemy heavy losses In his
retreat and following him up with
powerful and successful counter-at-
taels to complete his discontinue.
Value OF Allies Tactics.
"The value and significance OF OPP
eratlons OF this nature since the be-
ginning OF hostillties by the allies
force In the west lies in the fact that
the moment when the eastern prov
inces of Germany are In imminent
danger OF being over-riiu by the rt-
merous and powerful armies of Russ
sIa, nearly the whole active line OF the
Germany army In tied down TO line
OF trenches extending from Nerdun to
the Alsatian frontier, to the sea at
Nieuport, east of Dunkirk Ga distance
of 260 milesl. where they are held
with much reduced numbers and inn
paired morals. by the successful ae-
tion of our troops in the west
Wort. OF Artillery.
II cannot speak too highly Of the
services rendered by the royal artil-
lery throughout the battle In spite
of the fact that the enemy brought
up. In support of his attacks, great
guns Of long range and great shell
power our men have succeeded
IN preventing the enemy
from establishing anything In the ma
lure of superiority in artillery. The
skill. courage and energy displayed by
The commanders of the royal artillery
have been very marked The royal
engineers have been indefatigable In
their efforts to assist the infantry in
field Notifications and trench work.
Appalling Loss OF Life.
II deeply regret the heavy casual
lies which we have suffered, but the
nature OF the fighting has been very
desperate and we have been ussailcd
by vastly superior numbers. | have
,very reason to know that throughout
he course OF the battle we have
placed at least three times as many
If tho enemy hors de combat in dead,
Wounded and prisoners.
.Throughout these operations Cen
'ral Foch has strained his resources
q the utmost to afford me all the
upport he could. An expression OF
ny warm gratitude is also due 70
;eneral Dubail commanding the
eighth French army corps, on my
eft. and to General dc Maud Huy.
commanding the Tenth army corps,
N my right
support of Northern flank.
Discussing details of the engage
nent from Ypres TO Armentieres
ieneral French explains that he was
impressed early in October with the
ecessity OF giving the greatest pos
ihIe Suuporf IN tho norfheru flank
4 the allies In the effort to outflank
he enemy and compel him to evacu-
tie his positions. He says that the
Ituation on the Aisne warranted the
of British troops from po-
itions they held there. as the enemy
lad been weakened BY continual at