New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13
Britain Orders Inquiry
Into Cambria Reverse
General Maurice Declares Public Will Be Told
Reason for Blunder After Investigation
Times" Demands Searching Investigation

LONDON. Dec 12.--There will be a
thorough investigation Of the recent
operation on the Cambria front in
which The Germans broke through in
The southern sector Major General
I. y. Maurice. chief director of mill
tsry operations al the War Oa,ce. said
to-day. The truth regarding the incl
dent will be told in due course, he
promised.
Summing up the Cambria situation
in his weekly talk with The Associated
Press, General Maurice said:
The final results in the sector
showed that the British were consider
able gamers in the amount Of territory
wrested from the enemy. The British
and Germans are about even in the
number OF guns captured, with the
total slightly in favor OF the British
in heavy guns. The British also are
slightly ahead OF the Germans in the
number OF prisoners.
"The effect o. the German attack
on the British las been an enormous
disappointment in England. and tho
feeling among the public has been that
the enemy has ,uccecded in uSutrallz-
ing the effect Of the whole British sue
cess by the break through on q com
paratively small area in the south. THIS
ia the first reverse the British nave
had on the West front since 1915.
"The public had come to look upon
the British West front as practically
inviolable, forgetting the possibility of
the accidents Of war II is still too
early to try TO give the exact reasons
for the German break-through in the
south. Their success was won not on
a hastily constructed new line. but on
an old line. where we had been estab-
lished for many months. The reasons
will come out in due coarse
"The Times in an editorial in un-
usually heavy type, calls for prompt,
searching and complete inquiry" re-
specting "thc reversal of fortune" on
the British front during the ire
mendous struggle on the southern side
Of the new Cambria salient on Novem-
Der 80 and the two following days.
at was perhaps hardly possible from
day to day" "The Times" adds, "and
certainly unwise to attempt 81 authori-
tstive account Of the situstion as
whole. though We cannot longer be
satisfied with the fatuous estimates.
for example, of the German losses in
men and morale which have inspired
too many Of the published messages
After asserting that the new line. as
reconstructed, is securely held, "The
Times" continues:
"The published and censored version
is being amplified daily by lnnumer-
able disquieting first hand accounts
from officers and men who participated
in the actual fighting. It is high time
that this mass Of partial information
should be placed in its true perspective,
laundering sifted. and blame. if and
where due, should take shape in prompt
disapproval Of every blunderer."
"The Times" forestalls possible
charge that in It's article it is intrigu--
ing against Field Marshal Haig by say
ing:
There is no question whatever OF
turning a temporary setback 20 the
detriment Of his great position or
plans" But it adds: Ellis weakness, if
it be a weakness, is inveterate devotion
to those who have served him longest