New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-30

that the enemy's losses in men and
material we're very considerably higher
than those Of the Allies, while morally
the balance Of advantage on our side
Is still greater.
During the period under review a
steady deterioration took place in the
morale of large numbers OF the enemy's
troops. Many Of them, it is true,
fought with the greatest determine
ton, even in the latest encounters but
the resistance OF even larger numbers
became lstterly decidedly more feeble
than in the early stages of the battle.
Aided by the great depth of his de
fences and by frequent reliefs. which
his resources OF men enabled him 70
effect. discipline and training held the
machine together sufficiently TO enable
the enemy to rally and reorganize his
troops after each fresh defeat. But
toward the end Of the operations, when
the weather unfortunately broke, there
is no doubt that mis- power Of resist
ance very seriously diminished,
Stopped at Critical Moment
In the course of his detailed study
of the operations. General Haig fire.
quently touches on the handicap of
the weather. In midOctober came the
Allies great chance to really break
through the German lines.
I'VE had at last" writes General
Haig. reached the stage at which a
successful attack might reasonably be
expected TO yield much greater results
than anything We had az yet attained.
The resistance Of the troops opposed
TO US had seriously weakened IN the
course Of recent operations. and there
is no reason 10 suppose that the cnorJ
required Was not within our powers.
Unfortunately at this juncture very
unfavorsble weather set in and con-
tinued with scarcely a break during the
remainder Of October and tho early part
Of November. Poor visibility seriously
interfered with the work Of the ar
tillery. and constant rain turned the
mass Of hastily dug trenches into chan
nels Of deep mud.
Supplies System Demoralized
The country roads, broken by count
less shell craters, rapidly became I'M
passable, making the supply OF food
stores and ammunition a serious prop
lem. These conditions multiplied the
difficulties of attack to such an extent
that it was impossible 70 exploit the
situation with the rapidity necessary
10 enable US to reap 10 the full the sd-
vantage we had gained
General Haig's report contains ire
quent mention Of the work OF the tanks.
One example follows;
"Gueudecourt WAS carried, after pro-
tecting trenches 70 the west had oeen
captured. in an interesting fashion. In
the early morning a tank started down
a portion OF trench held by the enc
my. from the northwest firing us ma
chine guns and followed by bombers.
THE enemy could not escape, as we
held the trench at the southern END
Al the same time an airplane new down
the length of the trench, also firing It's
machine gun at the enemy, Inc enemy
finally waved white hsndkerchlefs IN
token Of surrender, and when this was
ranorted by the airplane. the infantry
accepted the surrender Of the garrison.
Resides n great number OF the enemy
killed. we made prisoner eight officers
and 1862 men. Our total casualties we're
five"
Use Gas and Liquid Fire
General Haig pays a tribute to the
work Of the various departments OF
IN. service during the battle. He de-
elares that the aircraft consistently
maintained the supremacy OF the AIR
throughout the entire period. while the
tunnel companies equally maintained
their superiority over the enemy under,
ground. Discussing the use Of gas and
liquid fire. he says:
"The employment by the enemy Of
gas and liquid flames compelled US not
only to discover ways TO protect our
troops, but also 70 devise means OF US
ing the same instruments. Great fertil-
ity OF invention has been shown and
great credit is due to the special per
sonnet employed for the rapid success
with which these new arms have been
developed and perfected, and for the
devotion 70 duty displayed in difficult
and danrerous service.