Evening star., 1917-11-11

tent to which it is being produced.
1T Is necessary. therefore, from the
very beginning Of battle to employ
another method OF position construc-
tion. In other words, 1t is necessary
to substitute for the old system OF po-
sittons-a system which requires re-
pairs which may be continually an
initiated by the enemy-a zone Of de-
Tense organized by depth rather than
by lateral extent. This system, with Its
organizations protected as far as pos
sible from the sight of the enemy, dis
posed perpendicularly and with the
rear, and of which the density, least
at the front, will always be proper
tionately greater toward the rear,
ought to permit our passing from the
defensive to the offensive with the ele-
ments stationed in the rear.
In the course of battle 1T is not
necessary to think of havirg in the
first line continuous trenches; they VIII
be, replaced by funnel-shaped holes
machine guns, disposed in the form of
a checkerboard. On the terrain imme-
diately behind the first line Of funnel
holes will be installed points Of sup
tor and or s %h
are to be pushed forward. For this
purpose the shelters still existing
ought to be utilized. But in default of
shelters the installation will be made
in covered ground.
You will place in advance Of the
first line Of tunnels a tangle Of steel
wire. irregular in form. Offering as far
as possible continuous obstacle. In
the same line Of ideas, 1t is advisable
to surround with barbed wire the fun
mel holes situated in front of the first
line. in order to prevent their occupa-
tion by the enemy.
disposed in a manner to compel the
enemy to take direction which suits
us and to bring him under the hre OF
our machine guns.
"All the works Of defense ought to
avoid inspection by the enemy; works
too much in evidence and continuous
lines cannot fulfll this important con-
dition.
"A great part OF the supporting
troops and of the reserve troops ought
to be sheltered in ground which is hid
den. either in the inside of tho fun
nels and in the neighborhood Of them,
in woods. or in bitches. etc.-especially
in places where aerial observation can
1T is necessary as far as possible to
avoid villages, which. as experience
has shown US, attract the fire Of the
enemy.
The troops Of support and of reserve
ought to work methodically on the con-
struction of continuous position.
comprising several lines and escaping
also as far as possible observation by
the enemy.
"such position will constitute a
support for the troops Of defense
echeloned toward the real. It ought to
be surrounded by powerful tangle of
barbed wire. with passages for the
troops OF assault and ought to COM
pise several lines Of trenches.
Deep sshelters will be constructed
only in the second and third lines. The
first line will comprise only the small
shelters for a sixth of company, al
most all Of the occupants being con-
sidered as garrison Of position. It's
place will be. in general. the line Of
found at ono kilometer, or at most
two kilometers. back from the first
line Of funnel holes.
"If there are available working
forces on hand. new positions will be
constructed at the rear. based on the
same principles; to form positions Of
YofiIomonxS -