Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-14
ALLIES STRATEGY
SUPERIOR, REPORTS
SIR JOHN FRENCH
War Office Issues Field
Marshal's Statement Con-
cerning Last Weeks Ac-
ton Preceding German Re-
treat.
LONDON, Sept. II.

LONDON, Sept. H.
The official report of Field Marshal Sir
John French to the War Office on the
past weeks fighting in France which
resulted in Il general retreat of the Ger
mans, was made public by the Govern
ment Press Bureau today.
1t shows that since the battle at Mons
on August g. the first German army has
been engaged in a colossal game of STRAIT
egy endeavoring to duplicate the battle
Of sedan by outhanking and enveloping
the left wing of the allied army in order
TO encircle both French and British and
drive them southwark.
Field Marshal French shows that the
Germans drove southwark with tremen-
dous force, attempting to throw wedge
between Paris and the allied army. but
the strategy of the French and British
general staffs proved 5, perior.
Sir John pointed out that the Germans
fully expected TO carry out this enveop-
ing movement to a successful conclusion
and enter Paris. Letters found on the
bodies Of German soldiers and officers
prove this, said the British general BY
their ability to move forward, day after
day on the big swing through northeast
ern France, the Germans had come 20
look upon victory as being within Their
grasp, when the tide suddenly turned.
1t will be remembered" says the re-
port that the general position of the
British troops on September 9Th was
south of the Marne with the French
forces in line on their right and left.
There had been practically no changes
since the Sd. which marked the end Of
the British troops long retirement from
the Belgian frontier.
'Ou the 4th 1t became apparent that
ther" was an alteration In the direction
Of the advance OF almost the whole first
German army. which had been endeay-
orins to outiank and envelop the left
Of the allies whole line in order TO drive
them southwark The German forces op-
positc the British were beginning 10
move in southeaster!y direction in
stead Of continuing To the southwest to
the French capital.
Leaving a strong rear guard along the
River Ourcq to keep off the French Sixth
Army. which was northwest Of Paris, the
Germans began executing a flank march
diaSonally across the British front. ig-
nor'Hg the British In an effort 10 attack
the loft flank Of the French main army,
which stretched In a long curved line
from the British right towards the east,
and tried thereby 10 carry out the en-
velopmcnt which has failed against the
combined forces of the allies.
The Germans continued the movement
on the NTH Large advance parties
crossed the Marine, and there was con-
siderable H-ht.ng with the French Fifth
Army on the French left which fell back
toward the Seine.
on the sixth heavy German forces
crossed the Marine and pushed through
CoulOmWiers, past the British right. Fur
ther east they We're attacked in the nigut
by the French Fifth Army, which cap
tured three villages at the point Of the
bayoRet.
ION the 7th there was a general adj
vance by the allies in this quarter The
British forces which mad been reinforced
pushed in a northeasterly direction I'm CO..
operation with the advance OF the French
fifth army TO the north, and the French
sixth army pushed eastward against the
German rearguard along the Ourcq River
The Germans possibly weakened by the
detachment % troops 10 the eastern
theatre Of operations and realizing that
the French and British advance COnsid-
erably endangered their own fanking
movement, commenced TO retire toward
the northeast.
This was the first time the German
troops had turned their backs since their
attack at Mons a fortnight before. II Is
reported that the order 20 retreat when so
close 10 Paris was n bitter disappoint-
ment. Letters found on the dead prove
that the German troops generally believed
they were about 10 take the French capt.
tai
ION the Sth the German movement
northeastWard continued. their rear guard
on the south Of the Marne River being
pressed back 10 the river by the British
and French. The latter captured three
villages after a hand-to-hand hght the
Infantry infiCung severe losses upon the
enemy