The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-09-11
Critical Days for the Left wing of
the Allies

The report Of Sir john French upon
the movements NJ the British eNnedl
tionary force in France from August
- to 2S shows how very near disaster
IL was and what narrow escape from
development and utter rout the left
wing Of the allies had In consequence
II Is the story Of n retreat conducted
with extraordinary skill in the face of
a mobile enemy Of greatly superior
strength. The report is the most nota.
ble of a defensive campaign because it
suppresses no details necessary to an
understanding of the brilliant tactics
of the Germans and the unprepared-
ness Of the allies TO meet powerful
turning movement.
Manifestly the allies We're taken by
surprise. for the British Field Marshal
says that on the afternoon Of August
%. when his well nigh exhausted force
was occupying line from Conde on
the west through Mons to Blanche on
the east. a most unexpected message"
came from General JoFFRE conveying
the information that instead Of two
German corps being in FRENCH's front
there were three. while fourth corps
was advancing from Journal. which
lay to the northwest OF the British
line. General JoFFRE made the alarm
ing disclosure that the French army
on the British right was retiring.
Thrown upon his own resources for
the time being. the British commander.
fighting every step of the way to pre-
vent the enemy from overwhelming
him. fell back to a reconnoitred posi-
ton extending from Maubeuge, west
OF Jenlain and southeast OF Nalen
ciennes. Speaking Of the situation on
August "a, General FRENCH says:
"As the French troops were still re-
firing I had no support except from the
fortress at Msubeuge, and determined at
Tempts OF the enemy to get around my
| left flank assured me that II was his In
tention 10 press me against that place
and surround me"
General FRENCH had been ordered to
occupy In an emergency the intrenched
position running through Cambria. lie
Cateau and Landrecies. but reconnais-
sance convinced him that to make a
stand there would be disa Strous, the
retirement of the French troops on his
right still going on. Accordingly he
! decided ''to make great effort 10 con
| tinue the retreat till could put sub
stantal obstacle, such as the Somme
River or the Disc River, between the
British and the enemy Night and
day the oncoming Germans harassed
! the exhausted British. General SoR-
DIET. called upon to stiffen the defence
with his three divisions Of cavalry, twas
unable TO give any support on the most
critical day, the Goth, owing to the ex'
haustlon OF his horses"
The extrication OF the British force
seemed to be a forlorn hope. Guns OF
four German corps were pounding the
line. and General SMITH-DoRRItN, com
handing the left. sent word that "ho
was unable to retire as ordered The
first corps was in the same desperate
strait. Nevertheless, 1.-THE troops showed
n magnificent front to the terrible fire,
In this crisis "it became apparent thai
II complete humiliation was to be
avoided retirement must hc Mt
tempted" The artillery with the mos
devoted intrepidty and determination
covered the movement, with the ms
sistancr " the cavalry. which had sui
fered heavily in the three days of fight
ing. Sir JouN fRrNCII acknowledges
that General SMlrH-DoRRltN by his rare
GOODNESS saved the British left wing
ON August - General SoRptT hrongh
ND his cavalry divisions 10 take part
} In repulslng The enemy. ana Genera
} D'AMADE. evidently making n force,
march from Arras, relieved the pres
sure On the British rear from thu
enemy'S right flank
; One can imagine what panic rar
and London would have been in If tn
p truth about the German attack upol
he left wing ~ the allies had heel
: known from day to day. Plainly |