New-York tribune., 1917-11-28
Italian Invasion Fails to
Hamper Allies Efforts
in West
Foes Power Slapped
Secretary Says That Wastage
Eventually Will Soften
German Line

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-"The week
inst closed has been one very favor
able 10 the Allied arms" says the War
Departments official communique. Is
sued to-day, reviewing military opera
tons for the week ended Saturday.
"The success of the British offensive
IN the region of Cambria 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 correla-
tive elements of one and the same
movement.
at is evident that the enemy took
the offensive in Italy hoping thereby
N extricate himself from the increas-
inely difficult position in which his
forces find themselves in the West.
The German Higher Command were
apparently confident that. in order to
save Italy from invasion, such impor-
tsnt contingents of French and Rrit-
;sh troops would be detached from the
western front as to render any fur
thar Allied offensives in this theatre
inpossible. Although the French and
British have both dispatched large
eontingents to Italy, this has in no
way hampered the continuance Of their
offensive operations.
at is the wastage Of the enemy
forces, the slow yet relentless sapping
Of his man power by continued and
sudden offensive thrusts, which must
eventually result in the softening of
his line in the West. This is the ulti-
mate objective of the series Of inten-
sive offensives so successfully pursued
BY the Allies during the last six
months, and is even more important
than the gain of terrain.
Spectacular British Success
"The military situation is dominated
By the spectacular success gained by
the British forces in their thrust
toward Cambria. By adopting new
tactical methods, by evolving a STRAIT
egy daringly conceived and brilliantly
executed, the British forces have been
able to record a greater success, when
measured by captured terrain, than
any hitherto achieved by either BEL
ligerent in the same space OF time
along the Western front. While
seemingly continuing his offensive en-
gsgements in Flanders by an intense
artillery bombardment in the sector
stretching from Ypres to the North
Sea, Field Marshal Haig was able to
mask successfully his plans for an Of
tnsive thrust between the Scarpe
River and st. Quentin.
"The usual preliminary artillery
preparation was dispensed with. The
clements of surprise so essential TO VIC
tory played large part. The British,
BY a preponderant numerical superb
Gritty in men and mobile material, by
improvising the skilful tactical maneu-
wing of an unusual number OF tanks
and by co6rdinating with precision the
deployment of cavalry, made use of
these two arms to bear the brunt OF
the encounter.
1nfantry then was called upon to
kold and consolidate the terrain gained.
"The number Of prisoners enumer-
sted hitherto is over 10000, which ex-
eeeds the total British casualties.
~Along the front held by the French
forces, the latter have achieved sue
eessful coup de main south of Juvrin-
court. in Champagne, resulting in the
capture Of some elements of enemy
trenches and the taking of numerous
prisoners. Lively artillery duels took
place north of the Chemin-des-Dames
and in the Verdun sector, where, as
for several weeks past, the enemy con-
tinued 20 lombard the French positions
in Chaume Wood.
an the sector where our troops are
training increased artillery activity is
noted. Small detachments, while on
patrol duty, have gained some useful
eyperforro