New-York tribune., 1914-11-30
British Field Marshal OPP
timistic i'm Review of
Western Battle.
GERMANS LOSSES
IN RATIO OF 3 TO |
Explains That a Waiting
Campaign Is Necessary
Praises Troops.

London. Nov. 29-Field Marshal Sir
John French, Commander in Chief of
the British forces in the field, speaks
in an optimistic vein concerning the
position of the Allies in report issued
to-day by the Official Press Bureau.
The report covers in general way the
activities of the British troops from
October II to 90
Summing up the situation, in con
cluding his report, 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 70
Armentieres. For several days past the
artillery fire of the enemy has slack
ened considerably and his infantry at
tacks have practically ceased.
an remarking upon the general mill
tary situation of the Allies as 1t APP
pears TO me at the present moment"
General French continues, "it does not
seem to be clearly understood that the
operations in which we have been en-
gagged embrace nearly all of the central
part of the Continent Of Europe, from
the east to the west. The combined
French. Belgian and British armies in
the west and the Russian army in the
east are oppose to the forces of Ger
many and Austria, acting as com
bined army between us.
Allies Forced to Wait.
Our enemies elected at the COM
mencement of the war to throw the
weight of their forces against our ar
mics in the west and to detach only a
comparatively weak force. composed of
very few of the first line troops and
several corps of second and third line
troops. TO stem the Russian advance
rntil the western forces could be com
pletely defeated and overwhelmed.
Their strength enabled them from the
outset to throw greatly superior forces
against US in the west. This precludes
the possibility Of our taking vigorous
offensive action. except when miscal-
culations and mistakes are made by
their commanders, opening up special
opportunities for successful attacks
and pursuit.
"The battle of the Merne was an ex-
ample of this. as also our advance
from Saint Omer and Hazebrouck to
the line of the river Lys at the be-
ginning of this battle. The role
which our armies in the west have
consequently been called upon to full
I'll has been % occupy strong defen-
sive positions, holding ground gained
and inviting the enemy's attack. and
20 throw back these attacks, causing
the enemy heavy losses in his retreat
and following him up with powerful
and successful counter attacks TO COM
plete his discontinue
"The value and significance OF opera
rions of this nature since the begin
ming of hostilities by the Allies forces
in the west lies in the fact that at the
moment when the eastern provinces OF
Germany are in imminent danger or
being overrun by the numerous and
powerful armies OF Russia, nearly the
whole active army Of Germany Is tied
down 10 a line of trenches extending
from Verdun. on The Alsatan frontier.
20 the sea at Nieuport east OF Dun
kirk "a distance of 26O miles), where
.hev are held. with much reduced num-
bers and impaired morale, by the sue
cessfuI action of our troops in the
west.
ROYAL ArtiIery's Work.
81 cannot speak too highly of the
services rendered by the Royal Artil-
lerv throughout the battle. In spite
~ the fact that the enemy brought up.
in support Of his attacks, guns of great
range and shell power, our men have
succeeded throughout IN preventing
the enemy from establishing anything
in the nature Of superiority IN artll-
lerv. The skill, courage and energy
DISPLAYED by the commanders Of the
Royal Artillery have been very marked.
The Royal Engineers have been inde-
fatigable in their efforts to assist the
infantry in field, fertilization and
trench work.
~ deeply regret the heavy casualties
u,hirh we have suffered. but the nature
of the fighting has been very desperate
and we have been assailed by vastly
SUPERIOR numbers. have every reason
20 know that throughout the course OF
the battle we have placed at least three
-. manu- of the enon hOrg de
combat in dead, wounded and prisoners.
"Throughout these operations Gen
oral Foch has strained his resources 10
the utmost to afford me all the support
he could. An expression Of my warm
or. titude is also Que 10 General Dubail.
commanding the Sth French Army
Corps. on my left. and to General de
Maud'huy. commanding the 10Th Army
Corps, on my right
Discussing details Of the engagement