New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-30
SOMME DOOMS
FOE, HAIG
Great Victory Proves
Allies Can Win in
West, He Asserts

London. Dec. 29.-The battle Of the
Somme is pictured as a sweeping tri-
umph for Allied arms, in a detailed
report by General Sir Douglas Haig
which was issued tonight and which
covers operations from July l to NO
vember IS. General Haig terms the
battle a triumph, in which the German
western armies were only saved from
complete collapse and decisive de-
feat by a protracted period OF un-
favorable weather, which prevented the
Anglo-French forces from taking full
advantage of their successful advance.
He declares that, nevertheless, it was
triumph which proved beyond doubt
the ability of the Allies to overthrow
Germany when the time comes" The
British commander shows himself a
firm believer in the doctrine that the
Allies can win the war on the Western
Front.
Wanted TO Delay Drive
The opening of the dispatch outlines
the origin Of the Allies decision to
begin the Somme operations. THE
principle OF an offensive campaign dur
ing the summer of 1916 had already
been decided on by all the Allies" says
the report. Various possible alter
natives on the Western Front had been
studied and discussed by General
Joffre and myself, and We were in COM
plete agreement as 70 the front to be
attacked by the combined French and
British armies. Preparation for the
offensive had made considerable prog
ress, but the date was dependent on
many doubtful factors.
Subject TO the necessity of COM
mencing operations before the summer
was too far advanced and with due
regard TO the genera situation, | de-
sired to postpone my attack as long as
possible. The British armies were
growing in numbers and the supply OF
munitions was steadily increasing, but
a large proportion of the officers and
men were still far from being fully
trained, and the longer the attack was
deferred the more efficient they would
become.
Had to Relieve Italy
"On the other hand, the Germans
were continuing 20 press their attacks
at Verdun, and both there and on the
Italian front, where the Austrian Of
fensive was gaining, it was evident
that the strain might become too great
unless timely action was taken. Ac-
cordingly. agreed that the attack
should be launched whenever the gen
eral situation required it, with as grea,
A force as might then be available.
by the end Of May the pressure on
the Italian front has assumed such
serious proportions that the Russian
campaign was opened early in June
and the successes gained against the
Austrians at once caused movement
OF German troops from the Westerr
10 the Eastern front. This, however
did not lessen the pressure on Verdun
and therefore it was agreed that the
combined French and British offensive
would not be postponed beyond the
end of June.
The object Of that offensive wa,
three fold: To relieve pressure on Yer
dun; 20 assist our allies in the othei
theatres Of war b. stopping any fur
Their transfer OF German troops from
the Western front, and TO wear down
the strength Of the forces opposed "a
US"
Achieved All Three Objects
After dealing az length with IN,
various stages Of the operations, Gen
eral Haig sums up the result as fol
lows:
Three main objects with which W
commenced the offensive in July haC
Continued on page 2. column