New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-23

TIE CONDUCT OF WAR Short Treatise
Rules uo By c6lmar Freiherr Won der Goitz,
Northumberland IN the Prussian army.
Royal Engineers. C9orming the Fourth Volume
OF the Wolseley Series. edited by Captain Wal;
by Charles Scribner's Sons.
II is well understood nowadays that the art Of
var cannot be learned from books. In fact, IN
some Of the most important military schools IN
struction in the higher theory OF war has been
abandoned Nevertheless. il is true that this
theory is a most important object or study
There are general principles and rules Tor the
conduct Of war that can be established. and the
thorough understanding Of them is Indispensable
both for the soldier and for the student OF mil
itary history. The trouble lies not so much IN
The inaeequacy or uncertainty of the theory OF
war as in the practical difficulty of applying IL
under the complicated and often exceptional CON
sitions OF an actual campaign-a difficulty Of
which experience and native military genius FUR
rfsh the only certain solution. Books, therefore.
which expound this theory from the point OF
view OF a thorough knowledge or military
science and history will always possess great
value. and to works % this class this volume py
Lieutenant General Won der Goltz unquesuon-
ably belongs Though designed for the young
military student il may be recommended espe-
ciaily on account Of it's freedom from technicAh-
ties and its NCiQltE OF statement ~ 'Aic
who desires TO understand the general principles
OF military operations.
The scope OF the work is defined in the intro
duction For the modern European military
writer the author remarks. the preliminary
operations Of the mobilization and strategical
concentration Of armies the matters or most
moment and at is now frequently supposed
that the whole conduct OF war is comprised in
this one section Of it" This results from the
DEVELOPMENT Of railways in the western part Of
Europe which renders possible the rapid mass
ing of troops. This transportation OF Immense
bodies Of troops assumes the form OF a MIL
itary work OF art. which gives an opportunity
for the strategical specialist TO show off his
brilliant Qualities" Not all localities, however.
in which war is likely to occur so well pro-
vided with means Of transportation-a point
which the present struggle in South Africa en-
phasizes-and it is overlooked that even in the
west Of Europe the importance Of railroads for
the use Of troops during action is inconsider-
able" But in any case, the subsequent opera
tions-the action Of masses of troops after they
have been deployed-"are and always will be the
most important branch Of the conduct of war"
and 70 these. accordingly. the author directs his
attention Furthermore he limits himself TO
general consideration-the collation. of 1.-The vari-
Gus ways Of manipulating troops which can be
made use Of in war'-reserving for another work
the treatment Of the practical problems involved
in the leading Of troops n the field.
These operations belong. in general, to one Of
two cIasses-strategical and tactical. OF these
important and not easily defined terms two
definitions are given, ore by the author and one
from Clausevitz. both of which are suggestive.
Strategy, says the former deals. speaking gen
orally with the broad measures which have for
their object TO enable the troops TO enter on the
decisive struggle under the most favorable con-
oitions Tactics. on the other hand, include all
dispositions for the decisive struggle itself" Ac-
cording TO Clausewitz. tactics is the study Of
the employment of military forces in the combat,
and strategy the study OF the employment of
combats for the purposes Of war These two
definitions together furnish, perhaps, as good
account OF the matter as has been given in the
same space. Strategy and tactics, again. fall,
each Of them. into one of two classes, in accord
enoe with their employment for offensive or for
defensive purposes That is, there both Of
fensive strategical operations and defensive, and
offensive and defensive tactics and this four
fold division is made by General Won der Goltz
the foundation OF his discussion Of his theme. To
notice his terse yet lucid exposition in detail is
impossible. II need only be said that he no
where falls into the or Of treating the dstnc-
tons between the strategicaI and the tactical
luc Offensive anu the offensive as flXeQ lines OF
demarcation, but. on the contrary, emphasizes
the fluid character of such categories when ap-
piled TO the actual operations of war.
In an Introductory chapter on the main feat
ures Of the modern conduct of war" several
principles are laid down by the author which It
is well, just now, to keep in mind.
If we now sum up" he says, the distinctive
Characteristics of the modern method of conduct
ing war we shall find them to be as follows: ~
calling Up the military resources OF the country
TO such an extent that victory being gained, we
may proceed TO enforce fayora ole peace the
least possible delay; % placing all our forces in
readiness at the very commencement of the war:
90 ceaseless and untiring prosecution of the
campaign until the organized resistance Of the
enemy is broken in decisive battles after which.
until the conclusion Of peace a less strenuous
sction and one more sparing Of the Instrument
Of war;"