Evening star., 1917-12-09

DTlllSl OIL Tue ll1lc SCTclGDtHg De-
fore Cambria.
Already the Germans have suffered
losses estimated at about $4,000 in ten
days fighting
Terrible Losses to regain the
Already Suffered. tnraa -, c.p
Byns in mis- surprise attack of two
weeks ago. German commanders al
ways have been noted for their abso-
lutte disregard for the lives of their
troops when they have had an oh
Jectfve in mind. From the numbers Of
reserves concentrated behind the Ger
man lines defending Cambria and
from the unusually heavy weight of
ordnance which has been assembled at
this point. 1t is believed that the Ger
mans soon will usher in an era of
slaughter unbelievable But the Ger
mans possibly will he the chief suffer-
ers II they follow their tactics of the
past ten days in assaiiing- British posi-
tions with massed forces
Without protection and soldiers
marching shoulder to shoulder in many
waves, the Teutous Rave been pressing
ON British lines. Their ranks have
o4ered excsllent targets for the ex-
tiilery and machine guns. Teatonic
commanders have absolutely blinded
their eyes to their losses and have
delivered as high as fifteen attacks in
one day. German ranks have been
rsddled. but always there have been
new reserves. moved from other sec
tions of the western front or from the
Russian arena to fill the gaps and
the attacks have gone on and on
The tenacity with which the Ger
mans have been assailing the British
In the Cambrai area and the number
of men employed is the key to teu-
tonic determination to wipe out the
salient which was pressed into Ger
man lines when the armies of Gen.
BynR swept over their trenches and
smashed the Hfndenburg defenses. 1t
plainly shows that the Germans at
tach the most vital Significance to the
present battles, and that they will not
let up until the British have either
been pressed from the recently gained
ground or the fact is absolutely proved
that this feat is impossible 1t is not
thought that in the minds of Gems
Ludendorf and Won Hindenburg there
rest any doubts Of their ability to ac-
cemplish the things they have set out
, to accomplish. particularly in view of
the fact that they call on untold forces
recently occupied on the battle lines
in Russia. And. as before stated. when
the Germans have an objective in view.
{. one which they deem vital, tremendous
struggles usually result.
During the past week following the
kuccessfuf British effort of the one
previous in read
british prerare justing their po-
for Foes Effort. ] mans ds,;vsr.d tns Der
fkck after attack at La Vacauerie and
&asnieres. Fifteen attempts were
Made at the former point and ten at
ihe latter in one day. The British for
Neyerai days gave and took. but mas
much as it. was plainly evident the Ger
h1ans were to employ more than the
twenty divisions already on this front
st was decided by the British comman-
ders to Withdraw and readjust their
positions to best withstand the COM
+. ing shock. Accordingly the salient ex-
tending between Moyelles sur-fEscaut
and Bourbon wood was wiped out by
their own retirement and newly pre-
pared positions were taken.
The British retirement of Tuesday
and Wednesday cannot be deemed q
reverse. as Berlin attempts to make
it. Neither should it he discouraSing
ito those whose destinies rest with the
success of allied arms.~The British saw
that their line was dangerous one to
defend. and acted accordingly, and with
good military sense. When the expect
ed German blow comes it will come
against firm, positions where the Brit
ish can exact the greatest toll, and
where they have a chance of holding
on
The main German purpose Of driving
wedgbs on either side of the British
salient made by Byng's offensive may
be said to have failed. The chief gains
in the Gonneiieu section and in the
region of La yacQuerte were made only
after most desperate efforts. The fact
that the teutonic successes at this
point did not in anywise effect the
British retirement in the Bourlor
wood region generally is overlooked
The German blow will not be long
in coming. Just as every day aided the
German defense of Cambrai. permitting
the Germans to mass men and guns te
protect the town. just so does eacf
additional day make the British posi-
tions firmer.
The British struck forward again or
the Paschendaele ridge to the east o
Ypres during the past week. and made
etin of from 500 to 400 yards IN thu
Polygon wood section. Otherwise Haig'.
men were inactive over half their sec.
tion Of the western front.
Notwithstanding rebuff after rebuff
fhe Germans after intense artiller,
prepare o I
riol,