New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-17
All Powers Engaged in
the European Struggle
Learned Lesson.
LITTLE KNOWN OF
ARMIES DISPOSITION
In 1870 English Papers Gave
Full Accounts of German and
French Movements.

London, Aug l6-While Japan mas
borrowed most Of her military science
from Europe, she taught the West, IN
turn. the enormous value Of secrecy IN
warfare. All the powers engaged IN
the European death grapple have
learned that lesson.
Reports from Belgium say that the
German prisoners have no reglmental
insignia on their uniforms and nave
been instructed 20 refuse information
as 10 what regiments they are attached.
In 1870 the English newspapers gave
full accounts Of the German and French
regiments, where they were and what
regiments composed each army. The
commands and personalities Of all the
leading generals were widely known.
The armies engaged IN the war the
stre In Western Europe, except per
haps. the Belgian, have folded shroud
Of mystery over tho men who viii play
the greatest parts in the drama which
is about beginning The public know
almost nothing about the commander
i'm chief of the French army, Genera
Joseph Jofre. Jofre is not an sd-
vertising general. Even the French
people know less about him than al
most any man who ever guided their
military machine.
Largely Matter of Guessvork.
The present disposition Of the com
blatant forces, their movements and
plans, are chiefly matters Of guesswork.
Experts can only surmise that during
the oppressive darkness Of the last
fortnight Of mobilization and Of sus-
pense for Europe the four great armies
Of Germany. France. Austria and Rus
STA have been moving into positions
which those who have theorlzcd on the
subject have expected.
The great mobilization appears 70
have proved one fact that even the
German organization, when put TO the
test under real war conditions, could
not move so fast As expected. The
great. swift battle on the French from
tier. which was due last week, has not
vet begun, so far as is known, or, per-
haps, IL may be beginning to-day.
Not even the japanese were able to
cover their movements with such a
cloud OF secrecy as the millions Of men
now marching on the greatest scale
the world has ever known.
Censorship Of Strictest Nature.
The censorship which has been
drawn around Europe, except for a
few outlying neutral countries, is
chiefly responsible for the success Of
this up-to-date military secrecy. No
telegram. private or for the news
papers. goes out Of any belligerent
country without passing under the eye
and the pencil OF keen censor. Ger
many and Austria have almost sealed
the other usual means Of communities
ton.
The British newspapers discuss the
war more freely than the Continental
papers, but under the imperative re-
quest Of the War Office they say moth
ing Of the movements Of troops or
ships. The German newspapers, ac-
cording to reports, print only official
news.
The British army permits a few war
correspondents 10 take the field, but
under stric. rules The French staff
prohibits corresp ondents at the front
from using the telegraphs The Rus
sian army will have no correspondents.
The German staff is known strongly TO
disapprove Of them.