The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-11-30

Washington, Nov, 27.-The week
Just closed has been one very favor
able to the allied arms" says the war
departments official communique is
sued today, reviewing military opera
tions for the week ending Saturday.
'The success of the British offensive
in the region of the Cambrai and the
steady resistance of the Italians in
the face of the repeated attacks of
the Austro- German forces are two
factors, which may be considered as
correlative elements of one and the
same movement.
at is evident that the enemy took
the offensive in Italy, hoping thereby
to extricate himself from the increas-
ingly difficult position in which his
forces find themselves in the west.
Though the French and
British have both dispatched large
contingents to Italy, this has in no way
hampered the continuance of their
offensive operations.
"It is the wastage of the enemy
forces, the slow, yet relentless sap
ping of its man-power by continued
and sudden offensive thrusts, which
must eventually result in the soften
ing of his line in the west.
"The military situation is doninat-
ed by the spectacular success gained
~ the British forces in their thrust
towsi Cambria BY adopting new
teeficaianethodssshy evolving a st
a1'N aplsagly conceived aud brilli
Il n ts9ye ilaell
hls II record greater success when
measured By captured terrain, than
any hitherto achieved by either belllg-
erent in the same space OF time 2loIg
the western front.
\ i'While seemingly continuing his OIL
gfensive engagements in Flanders py
an intense artillery bombardment N
the sector stretching from Ypres to
the North Sea, Field Marshal Halg
was able to mask successfully his
plans for an offensive thrust between
the Scarpe river and st. Quentin. !
"The usual preliminary artillery
preparation was dispensed with. The
elements of surprise so essential TO
victory played large part in the sue
cesses gained. The British, by pre-
ponderant numerical superiority In
men and mobile material, by improvls-
ing the skillful tactical maneuverlng
of an unusual number Of tanks, ana
by coordinating with precision the de-
ployment of cavalry, made use Of
these two arms to bear the brunt OF
the encounter. Infantry then was call
ed upon to hold and consolidate the
terrain gained. Thus the British were
able to record a decided success with
very great economy of munitions and
slight casualties. Three successive
German lines Of defense on frontage
of six miles astride the Cambrai-Ba-
paume road were captured and the
Scheldt canal in front of Cambria
was crossed.
"The British forces, while still
pressing forward, are meeting with In
creased resistance
"Cambrai, the center of very i'm
portant railroad and canal lines of con
munication, now comes under the i'm
mediate fire of British field guns
while the large calibre, high velocit!
and naval guns can readily search ou
the countryside for miles in the rear
harrassing hostile territory and ren
dering the continued tenure of tn,
city by the enemy difficult.
The number of prisoners enumeratet
hitherto is over 10000, which exceed
the total British casualties.
"While the battle for Cambria ha
resulted in so rapid and sweeping a
advantage for the British forces, ap
parently without extensive prelimina
ry preparation, it must not be forgot
ten that it was only made possible b
the continued pounding of the Germa
lines in Flanders. In the meantime tn
British have not ceased to keep tn
enemy busy in the Ypres salient, an
gains of terrain are noted to the south
east.
"Along the front held by the Frenc
forces the latter have achieved SUI
cessful coup de main south of the il
vincourt, in Champagne, resulting
the capture of some elements of en-,
my trenches and the taking of numel
Gus prisoners.
"ln the sector where our troops al
training increased artillery activity
noted. Small detachments, while {