The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-18
Major Ritter of PrusSian Staff
in an Interview.
Defense of ~ClOsed Ranks" Sys-
tenn of Their Warfare.
ENGLISH SHIPS SUNK IN SEA?
German Officer Tells of "Quiet-
ede Defeat Near Hull.
British Afraid News Will Hurt
Her Power.

800
Her Power.
ton is written by Major Ulrich Ritter, or
the German general staff, who came over
to the United States two weeks ago TO
study the American transportation sys-
tenn from a military standpoint ana VINO
went back today to Gcrrnany.]
In view of the fact that all Euro
pean war reports are subject to Eng
fish and French censorship and that
news of German calamities is constant
ly being given out, an Impartial pre-
sentation of German operations anu
military tactics will doubtless be well
coined.
The severe criticism of German oper-
ations, especially at the seat OF war
in Belgium, on the part OF American
newspap ers. is based on the impressions
gained by people that have not Deeh
trained in military matters.
The great--t astOnishment was caus-
ed by the report that German soldiers
had been killed wholesale because they
fought in "closed ranks" and from TINS
statement The deduction was made tnat
the German soldiers still adhere 70 the
tactics Of Frederick the Great and have
not learned anything in the meantime.
1t would have been military suicide
IL Germany disregarding the neutrality
of the Little Kingdom" had not
opened operations against the military
forts Immediately before the French
could do so.
Soldiers are now massed along the
entire line from Belfort practically to
the North Sea and the two armies are
facing each other. but they are rae
ing each other not on German soil. but
on Belgian soil and in France. SO that
the great battles will not be fought in
German territory.
Englnnd's Situation.
One point that has not been empha-
sized in any of the reports, reviews ana
correspondence up to this time, but
that strengthens the argument of Ger
man sentiment that this is essentially
a war of Asiatic barbarism against
Teutonic civilization is that England
has combined her forces with those OF
the Slavs and has endeavored to draw
Japan. a Monaghan nation. into this at
fair. seemingly with success. Japan APP
pears to have taken the aggressive
sessions. which is the introduction of
Japan to the present stage of European
politics.
Losses Were 5000.
The vanguard of the German army
of the north which was supposed to
push through Belgian territory aiming
for the modern fortresses of Liege was
The heavy German artillery arrived
only after these operations had begun.
because the German soldiers had
moved too quickly. Even with this
handicap. the German loss in storming
so formidable a fortified place as Liege,
IS given out by reliable sources. Is es-
timated at from 1000 to 5000 although
the enemy reported as high as $4,000.
Disregarding the tremendous diff
culties and alive Onl.- to their duty, the
t.
GRIM attacked Liege. took the city and
obtained possession of the greater part
OF the Notifications.
1t is not strange that observers were
astonished at the reports written by
civilians that the Germans had at
formation. These reports caused the
remark that Germany had learned
nothing and had not improved her tao
tics since Frederick the Great.
What actually happened was that
in storming a fort soldiers were
thrown in skirmish line in a circle Of
5000 yards In advancing this circle
narrowed down and the line of SOL
diers closed gradually as they prog
ressed. until at 800 yards they were
in close formation. Hence it can easi-
ly be understood that ultimately they
had to fight in practically solid lines.
The besieging artillery arrived in
the meantime and started effective op-
erations against the Notifications, took
a greater part OF them. and now it is
only a matter Of few days until
complete German success is assured.
! Victories In Disguise.
The army Of the North today over
looks the Mas and its vanguard is
occupying a line between Diest and
Namur. These vanguards consist not
only of attachments of cavalry, and
of field gu..s. but also of machine
guns. Gradual progress is being made
all along the line, but If a detachment
finds itself outnumbered. 1t evades an
engagement. 1t is not the business of
the vanguard to fight. but to recon-
hotter and to inform the main army
Of the whereabouts Of the enemy.
These tactics gave rise to the frequent
reports Of the Belgian victories.
I Mobilization OF Germans.
The mobilization of the German
. army was effected in the most precise
manner. Everywhere from north to
south the vanguard Of the German
army Is meeting the enemy, but ON
French soil.
If the mobilization OF the French