New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-06
FRENCH COUNT GAINS
IN GERMANS, NOT LAND
With Trench Line Almost Impregnable, Jofres Task
Now Is to Demoraze and Hold Bulk of
Kasers Forces in the West

Paris, Aug. 5.-An explanation OF
why so lite progress is being maoe
in the French and Belgian war zones
so far as actual ground gaining Is
concerned, is afforded in a statement
from unquestionable authority, IN
which the almost insurmountable dii-
ficulties of the present struggle are
set forth.
During the last six months" says
this authority, from the North Sea
TO the Swiss mountains, there mas
been veritable siege warfare alorg the
length of the broken line OF trenches
In this warfare all strategic
manpuvres are absent, because
mancuvres are impossible on ground
where every square metre 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 smother against the formidable
organizations of defence, in which all
the resources of art and science have
been employed by the two adversarles.
an concrete subterranean works,
armored and casemated, armed win
rapid frers and mortars, and linked 10
one another by marvellously concealed
communicating trenches, which are
protected by the fire of heavy bat
teries, dwell the infantry, abundantly
provided with rifles and hand gren-
AIDES. To take possession OF one OF
these works, it is first necessary TO
dismantle these trenches and destroy
the material which they shelter. This
is the artillery's task.
Trenches Almost Impregnable.
mo one before the war could have
imagined the vast amount of shells
required. Several thousand shells
fred during few hours on re-
stricted space announce an attack Tor
which this preparation is being made.
but, no matter how Numerous the
heavy guns or how well directed their
fire, it often happens that the prepa-
ration has been insufficient. One or
two rapid-frers NOW down the troops
who climb from the trenches ready
for the charge, and, -fter suffering
heavy sacrifices, the attacking party
arrive at the first line of trenches OF
the enemy. The opposing artillery,
with a literal wall of Ere. effectively
prevents any reinforcemerts from ad-
vancing TO their support. They must
fortify the captured trenches, beng
subjected the while to p much more
accurate bombardment, as The enemy
knows the exact range Of their for
mer positions.
"Such offensive movements could not
be multiplied nor prolongeI indefinite,
ly. as much on account of the moral
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 be-
ginning an attack large quantities Oh
material and projectiles must be gath
cred in one place previously appoint
ed by the commander, advanced fortl-
fcations dug, and the ground mInutely
studied.
"If. despite these difficulties, the
French army renews an offensive
at the price of bloody sacrihce, IL
is with the conscientious mission Of
holding large enemy forces on the
western front. By the Marine victory
it stopped the invasion and ruined the
first German plan, which was, first, to
shatter France and return then
against Russia.
"By the victory of the User, with
the aid Of the allied armies closing
the line Of defence, it effectively pre-
vented the enemy from getting foot
hold in Pas de Calais.
"By continuous offensive actions
from February 20 July in Champagne,
the Argonne and Artois, 1t demoralizc5
approximately 100000 men and can't
ured an enormous amount OF material.
Without allowing the enemy an in
stantis respite, it forced the German
General staff to utilize on the west
ern front reserves in barracks and ar
senals.
1T would be q serious mistake to