The Republican journal., 1915-08-12
SIEGE WARFARE.
Why Little Progress is Being Made in the
French and Belgian War Zones.

An explanation Of why so little pro-
gress is being made in the French and
Belgian war zones, so far as actual
ground gaining is concerned, is afforded
in statement from unquestionable au-
thority at Paris.
During the last six months" says
this authority, ''from the North Sea to
the Swiss mountains, there has been
veritable siege warfare along the length
of the broken line of trenches. In this
warfare all strategic manoeuvres are alb
sent, because manoeuvres are impossible
on ground where every square meter is
marked and swept by artillery fire. The
only alternative is a frontal attack.
Such an attack is smashed to pieces in
one part or another against the formida-
bic organizations of defense in which all
the resources of art and science have
been employed by the two adversaries.
"1n concrete subterranean works,
fanked with rapid frers, and mortars,
and linked to one another by marvellous
| ly concealed communicating trenches,
dwell the infantry abundantly provided
with rifles and hand grenades. To take
possession of one of these works it
is first necessary to dismantle these
trenches which they shelter. This is the
artillery's task.
mo one before the war could have
imagined the vast amount of shells re-
quired.
''But no matter how numerous the
heavy guns or how we'll directed their
fire, it often happens that the prepara-
ton has been insufficient. One or two
rapid firers NOW down the troops who
climb from the trenches ready for the
charge and after suffering heavy sacri-
fees the attacking party arrives at the
first line Of the trenches of the enemy.
The opposing artillery, with literal wall
of fire, effectively prevents any reinforce
ments from advancing to their support.
'They must fortify the captured
trenches, being subjected the while to a
much more accurate bombardment, as
the enemy knows the exact range of
their former positions.
'Such offensive movements could rot
be multiplied nor prolonged Indefinitely
as much on account Of the morale and
physical effort which they demand of the
men, as on account of the losses which
they involve, Neither can such offensives
be improvised. Before beginning an at
tack large quantities of material and
PioJCSlACo LAuSL NC SdIuCAC Ill OlS PloC0
previously appointed by the commander,
advanced Notifications dug and the
ground minutely studied.
"By the victory of the User. with the
aid of the allied armies closing the line
of defense, it effectively prevented the
enemy from getting foothold in Pas de
Calais.
"By continuous offensive actions from
February to July in Champagne, the
Argonne and Artois, it demoralized ap-
proximately 100000 men and captured
an enormous amount of material. With
out allowing the enemy an instant's res
pite, it forced the German general staff
to utilize on the western front reserves
in barracks and arsenals.
at would be serious mistake to
measure their effort by the ground con-
quered. The decentralization and wearing
down Of the German army is the real
goal.
"We have attained this goal, since it
has been proved that during these six
months the enemy has suffered heavy
losses, and taking everything into con-
sideration he can only remove from our
front eight per cent, of his total effec-
tives."