The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-02-16
Sir John French
Gives Detailed
War rReview
Demand of British Public for
Eore Intimate News of
Events at Front Leads to
Publication of Resume.

London, Feb. Is. C5:25 y. ny
The plea Of the British public lor the
names OF the military units partici-
pating In brilliant actions In France
and Belgium has been answered by
specia! dispatch from sir John
French, the British commander in
CHIEF on the continent, dated al gen-
eral headquarters February 2 and
made public 0y the war Office today.
The dispatch consists mainly of "a
technical review Of the lighting In
which the British forces were con-
cerned during the month of Noym-
Der and December, and Il begins with
King Georges visit To- the front on
november 30. "at time when the
strength and endurance OF the troops
had been tried 10 the utmost through
out the long and arduOua battles OF
Yprcs and Armenticree.
The presence OF His Majesty 81.
John says. was the greatest possible
help and announcement"
Sir John. continuing. calls attention
To the fact that the course OF the
campaign has been largely Influenced
by the weather and says that recent
Developments in armaments and the
latest methods of warfare have added
srcatiy to the difficulties OF the Brit
ish,
''rho deadly accuracy, the range
ana the quicK nfing capabilities of
the modern rifle and machine gun
/ require that a hro-swept zone bo
/ crossed In the shortest possible time
sa.sf,
/ commander writes. But II the men
\ are detained under the encmy's fire
! by the difficulty Of cmcrging from
the water logged trench anC by the
necessity of passing over ground knee
deep In mud and slush. such attacks
become virtually pfohibipve. OWNS
90 the losses they entail
Tnis explains from the standpoint
Of the leaders, the slow progress oi
the present trench wa,iarc.
Sir John adds that his forces go
somewhat mixed up with the Frenci
during the heavy hghling In Novem
ber, but subsequently he WIS aole {,
concentrate his army In one by hold
ing a shorter line, and 10 establish ef
fcctiye reserves
! lie records the exploits ul Naiiok
regiments and units, such as the cap
turing Of lines Of trenches, and tn
blowing uh OF farms In nearly al
these activiiies the indian trooEs fg
ured prominent ana lost heavily Ta
Germans took 500 yards of the ~
dian trenches on one occasion. bu
= subsequently, were ousled, although
Sir John admits that the operation
was a costly one. several times IN
!. British troops captured position
= only 10 cvacuate tnem because the
were untenable Such Uc,turat men
!, tlon is made Of the Indian soldier
/, that they would appear TO have bee
I, bearing the brunt at the nghting.
OF Princess PutrlCias regimen
/, the Canadian Organization SIR JOh
/, says.
II They are magnificent set 4
Il men and have done excellent work
q the trenches
!. Reinforcements have arrived fro
% England sir John adds, with remarl
a. able promptitude ana rapidity.
c appearance and quality these m'
p have exceeded bis most sanguine Q
pectatiOns.
Al Paying tribute 90 the medic
At corps Sir John declares that Il
o. troops are free from any epidemi
D. only nVe hundred eases OF typhO
"a fever have occurred In the army.