Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-12-03
|itish COmmander-in- Chief OPP
timistic Concerning Position
|of the Allies, in Report upon
Operations.
ZEN TRIAL EUROPE INVOLVED
+ John Points Out That the
Campaign Covers a Vast Ex-
tent of Territory. Larger Than
[Is Generally Supposed to BE
Included.

Included.
ondon. Nov. a.-Tield Marshal Sir
n French. communicating Chief Of the
fish forces in the field, speaks In an
imistic strain concerning the position
the allies in a report issued to-day
the official press bureau. Tho report
ers in a general way the activities
the British troops from october II to
vember 20.
lmming up the situation in concluding
report, Field Marshal French says:
AS | close this despatch, signs are in
Hence that we are possibly in the last
ges of the battle from Ypres to Armen-
Fes For several days past the artil-
fire of the enemy has slackened con-
erably and his infantry attacks have
ctically ceased
In remarking upon the general mill
situation of the allies, as It APP
RS to me at the present moment"
Id Marshal French continues, at
8 not seem to be clearly understood
Il the operations in which we have
n engaged embrace nearly all OF the
trail part of the continent of Europe
m the east to the west The com
ed French, Belgian and British armies
the west and the Russian army In the
are opposed TO the united forces of
many and Austria, acting as combined
HES between us.
THREW WEIGHT IN WEST.
Our enemies elected at the com
ncement of the war to throw the
ght of their forces against our arm
in the west and they detached only
comparatively weak force. composed
very few of the first line troops
several corps of second and third
troops, to stem the Russian adj
zee until the western forces could
completely defeated and overwhelm-
Their strength enabled them from
outset to throw greatly superior
ces against us in the west. This
cludes the possibility of our taking
orous offensive action except when
scalculation and mistakes are made
opportunities for successful at
ks and pursuit.
The battle of the Marine was an ex =
Pile of this as also was our advance
m st. Omer and Hazebrouck to the
of the river Lys at the commence
Mt of this battle. The role which
enemies in the west have conse-
Ently been called upon to fulfil has
n to occupy strong defensive posi-
hs, holding ground gained and in
ng the enemy's attack, and to throw
X these attacks, causing the enemy
wy losses in his retreat and follow
him up with powerful and success
counter attacks to complete his dis
nfiture.
GERMAN ARMY TIED DOWN.
The value and significance Of opera
rs OF this nature, since the commence
ut of hostilities by the allies forces
the west lie in the fact that at the
ment when the eastern provinces of
rmany are in imminent danger of
ng overrun by the numerous and
verful armies of Russia, nearly the
ole active army of Germany is tied
rn to a line OF trenches extending
n Verdun on the Alastian frontier
the sea at Newport, east of Dunkirk
distance of 26O niles, where they are
d, with much reduced numbers and
paired morale, by the successful action
our troops in the west.
cam speak too highly OF the serv-
rendered by the royal artillery
oughout the battle. In spite of the
t that the enemy brought up, In sup
Il of his attacks, guns of great range
shell power our men have succeed
throughout in preventing the enemy
m esta blishing anything In the nature
superiority in artillery. The skill
rage and energy displayed by tn,
nmanders of the royal artillery hav,
IN very marked. The royal engineers
,e been indefatigable in their efforts
assist the infantry in field fortified
and trench work.
FIGHTING DESPERATE.
deeply regret the heavy casualtie:
ch we have suffered but the nature o.
fighting has been very desperate anc
have been assailed by vastly superior
nbers. | have every reason to know
throughout the course of the battle
have placed at least three times al
ny of the enemy hors de combat, II
d, wounded and prisoners.
Throughout these operations, Genera
fh has strained his resources to at
d me all the support he could An ex
ssion of my warm gratitude is ais,
mt
nth French army corps of my left, ant
General De Maud Huy, commander.
10th army corps on my right"
discussing details of tho engagement
IN Ypres to Armeitleres,, Field Mar
u French explains that he was i'm
ssed early in October with the neces
Of giving the greatest possible SUD
It to the northern flank of the allies
the effort to outflank the enemy an,
npel him to evacuate his positions. II
IS that the situation on the Aisne war
hted the withdrawal of British troop
m positions they held there, as tn
Fmy had been weakened by continue
acks and the Notifications of the allie
oh improved.
MOVEMENT OF BRITISH.
Field Marshal French made his view
neral Joffre, who agreed with 1t. TIL
ench general staff arranged for tn
hdrawal Of the British, which bega
October 3 and was completed on o.
er 10 when the first army corps. unde
neral Sir Douglas Haig. detrained O
Omer,
he battle which forms the chief fes
e OF General French's report really bt