Evening star., 1917-12-02

Gen. Byng now command Cambrai with
their guns.
British Command 1t is only a
Cambria With Guns. daya until
the British attempt another dash for
ward over the Intervening three miles
with the object of taking this i'm
portant strategical point in the Ger
man scheme of defense on the western
front. Once Cambria is in the hands
of the British 1t is but a question Of
a few more days until Won Hindenburg
is forced to make a general readjust-
ment on the western front.
The fighting Of the past week in the
direction of Cambrai has been severe.
Many battles have occurred in the vi
cinity of Bourbon and Bourbon wood.
These two positions, considered the
keys to the Cambria, have been veri-
table charnel houses. The village and
times, but Gen. Byng's courageous
warriors now hold both points and in
the face of frequent heavy German
counter attacks. The Germans have
points taken from them only after the
most severe conflict. the most ambi-
tious effort being Friday. when flank
lattacks against the British salient
were delivered. Successes gained ap-
pear to have been but temporary.
British forces compelled to advance
against strong defenses and natural
obstacles have shown the highest pluck
and perseverance,, but these qualities
have won.
In the vicinity of Fontaine Notre
Dame and Folie wood sharp battles
have been fought. but the Germans.
notwithstanding their increased defen-
sive powers. have been unable to pre-
vent a gradual advance of the allied
armies in these sections.
Not only is Gen. Byng bringing d.
rect menace to Cambria. but his forces
for several days moved slightly north
ward on the northern side Of the
salient. he has pressed over the old
Hindenburg line, and the Drocourt-
Queant switch line is in immediate
peril of attack from the rear. The Ger
man attack of Friday possibly was
aimed to remove this menace. The fall
of this line of positions most certainly
will seal the fate of the German de-
lenses in the central section of the
western battle front. In the region Of
Bullecourt the British have extended
their line by capturing several Ger
man trench positions.
During the past week the French on
a two-mile front in the vicinity of hill
344, on the Verdun front. compelled the
Germans to evacuate all positions cap
tured in the week previous. The crown
prince directed several attacks against
the French. but failed to alter the
situation in the slightest. The Ger
mans also attempted to annul new
gains by the French to the northwest
Of Rheims. but likewise failed.
One of the interesting developments
of the week was the news that Ameri-
can forces assisted materially in Gen.
Byng's successful advance in the di-
rection of Cambrai. Through their
pluck and open defiance to all danger
they were able rapidly to press for
ward communication lines as the Brit
ish advanced.
The Americans have not been engaged
in any intensive fighting during recent
weeks on that sector where they are
obtaining the majority of their train
ing, but the day is believed near when
they will enter the trenches in large
force and take over section of the
front.
Germans have directed a few attacks
against the Belgian armies in Flan-
ders during the past week and have
been repulsed. British forces in the
vicinity of Ypres have not extended
their positions materially since the last
big drive came to a halt. 1t is be-
lieved. however. that the British will
once more move forward before winter
proper sets in.