Evening star., 1914-08-18
RITTER DEFENDS
GERMAN TACTICS
General Staff Officer Explains
Close Formation Against
Liege Forts.
UPHOlDS THE INVASION
OF NEUTRAL BELGIUM
Declares War Represents Asiatic
Barbarism Against Teutonic
Civilization.

"In view of the fact that all Euro
pean war reports are subject to English
and French censorship. and that news
of German calamity is constantly
being given out, an impartial presenta-
ton of German operations and military
tactics will doubtless be welcomed"
says Maj. Ulrich Ritter of the German
general staff in a statement. Maj. Ritter
came to the United States several weeks
ago to study the American Transports
tion system from a military standpoint,
and has Just started back to Germany.
"The severe criticism of German opera
tions, especially at the seat of war In
Belgium, is based on the Impressions
gained by people who have not been
trained in military matters Maj. Rft-
ter asserts. "The greatest astonishment
was caused by the report that German
soldiers had been killed wholesale be-
cause they fought in closed ranks and
from this statement the deduction was
made that the German soldiers still ad-
here to the tactics of Frederick the
Great and have not learned anything in
the meantime.
1T would have been military suicide
if Germany. disregarding the neutrality
of the little Kingdom, had not opened
y
mediately 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 fac
ing each other. but they are facing each
other not on German soil, but on Belgian
soil and in France, so that the great
battles will not be fought on German
territory.
Barbarism Against Civilization.
Zone point that has not been empha-
sized in any Of the reports. reviews and
correspondence up to this time, but that
strengthens the argument Of German
sentiment that this is essentially
war of Asiatic barbarism against Teu-
tonic civilization, is that England has
combined her forces with those Of the
Slavs land has drawn Japan, Mon
golian nation, into this affair.
THE vanguard Of the German army
of the north. which was supposed to
push through Belgian territory aiming
for the modern fortresses of Lege, was
engaged in battles lasting several days:
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 formida-
BILE a fortified place as Liege, as gwen
out by reliable sources, is estimated az
~
reported as high. as 3SOOO.
tDisregarding the tremendous difftcui-
ties and alive only to their duty. the van
guard of the German army IN Belgium
attacked Liege. took the city and obtained
possession of the greater part OF the ior-
tif1cationS.
.It is not strange that observers were
astonished at the reports written by ci-
villains that the Germans had attacked the
Belgians at Liege in close formation.
These reports caused the remark that
Germany had learned nothing and had
not improved her tactics since Frederick
the Great.
Explains Close Formation.
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 the soldiers closed grad
ually as they progressed until at 300
yards they were in close formation
Hence it can easily be understood that
ultimately they had to fight in practically
solid lines.
'The besieging artillery arrived in the
meantime and started effective operations
against the Notifications, took a greater
part Of them and now it is only matter
of a few days until complete German
success Is assured.
"a vanguard consists not only Of de-
tachments of cavalry and OF field guns,
but also of machine guns. Gradual prog
ress constantly is being made all along
the line, but If detachment finds itself
outnumbered it evades an. engagement
| It is not the business Of the vanguard to
fight, but to reconnoiter and to inform
the main army Of the whereabouts OF
the enemy. These tactics gave rise to
| the frequent reports Of the Belgian VIC
| tories.
"The mobilization of the German army
was effected in the most precise manner
| Everywhere from north to south the van
guard Of the German army is meeting
| the enemy but on French soil.
.If the mobilization of the French army
were really so excellent and effective as
talked of on the Partisan boulevards why
are not the horrors Of the war carried te
| German soil?
Defends Germany in Belgium.
"The outer forts Of Longwy have al
ready fallen. German vanguards are
marching through Montmedy, Pont-a-
Mousson and Luneville. All Belgian fort.
resses were constructed by French engi.
neers The French acted as military in.
structors Of the Belgians In all impcrtan,