New-York tribune., 1918-01-03
Indicated by Steady Flow
Of Reinforcements From
Eastern Front
u. S. Not Yet Ready
Allies, Holding High Ground
Arc in Excellent Dcfen-
sive Position

LONDON, Jan. 2.-Thc probability of
the Germans now taking a vigorous Of
fcnslvc attitude on the Western front
was pointed out by Major General F.. 3.
Maurice, Chief Director OF Military Or
crations at the War Office, in his week.
~ talk TO The Associated Press o-day.
There were two factors that contrib
uted to this probability, the general
SAID, the first being the steady flow of
German rcinforccments from the East
crn front. and the second the fact that
the American forces were not yet ready
70 take any considerable part in the
opera tons
The public should be prepared. Cen
cral Maurice said, for some losses of
both ground and men if the Germans
attempt really determined offensive op-
ratlons. They would not, however. be
ape to 'niflct any such losses on the
Allies as the latter had inflicted on the
Germans during the last year. he de-
clared.
THE enemy in the past fortnight has 5
been attempting numerous raids, most
~ on a small scalc,' began General
Maurlcc. at Cambria. however, he
! urea larger operation with the OBJ
Ject OF getting control of a ridge on
/ the British flank whence he hoped he
could strangle the supplies to British
salient and force its withdrawal.
Attack Ended in Failure
His attack. however, ended in an
almost complete failure, for, although
he gained few hundred yards Of oul
front trenches, he failed to set foot
on the ridge anywhere
"Thcsc attempts to take the often.
slvc," continued the general. "arc &
sign of new distribution of the
bcllgcrent forces on the Western
front. The enemy is steadily bringing
troops from Russia with the aim o1
reestablisnlng his superiority over the
Anglo-french forces The Germans dc
' rot possess Il magic carpet and cannot
transfer troops at a supernatural rate
especially under winter transport con
ditlons. Nevertheless, there is steady
flow of German troops westward.
"The Germans are still long wa,
from having superior numbers on Thu
frcnt, but She relative strength of tn'
forces is already so altered that it il
doubtful whether the Allied command
crs would feel justified in undertaken,
offensive operations on Il large scale
mcrical position will, OF tle othc
ksnd, lead inevitably to offensive oper
ations by the Germans, but I see n.
reason to believe that nc will be ahl1
to inllict anything like such losses o.
Us as we inflicted on him during tn
last year.
In Excellent Defensive Position
"Owng 10 our work Of the last yea
we are in an excellent defensive posi-
ton. holding practically ali the higl
ground On the other hand, we ar
everywhere on new ground, where w
must prepare new defensive systems
We must be prepared to lose groun,
and men if the enemy makes deter
mined attack with the usual artiller
preparation, followed by energetic in
fantry assaults. for our own cxperienc
/ has taught us that it is practically al
ways possible to move a certain dis
tancc under these conditions of at
tack"
Regarding the situation in Palcstin
General Maurice said:
"a word Of caution is necessary rel
ativc to the hopes of an immediat