Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-08-03
EXPERT OPINION
BY OFFICERS OF
GENERA STAFF
Germany Expects TO Crush
France Before Russia Can
Get Forces Modified for
Aggressive Campaign,


Washington. Aug. 2.-DcVelop-
ments IN the German campaign
lagainst France impress the army
general staff here with the similarity
Of the German advance. as recorded
IN today's dispatches to the move
made exactly forty-four wears ago,
PAT the begnnine Of the Franco prus-
sian war With the important differ
cnce that then IL vas the great sec
lond army corps of France which took
the initiatlye, crossing the border TO
laitack the Germans at Sanrbrucken,
only to receive stunning check.
hy singular coincidence IL was on
August 3 that the battle OF Saar-
brueken took place. II was followed
by tht Withdrawal OF the French
larnly under Ra2aine to Metz where
II was shut up for many months
only 20 be Obliged in the end TO cap
itulate 70 the German forces
German Program the Same.
The fact that the German sstan has
chosen again 10 strike at France In
the very place where the victorious
campaign Of 1870 was initiated, had
led the experts here to the conclu-
sion that 1t is Gern.anys intention
10 repeat the strategic movements
which were crowned with the cap
lture Of the French capital eight
months later
But the observers here are doubt
fful Of the success of such plan ut
present. II Is pointed out that the
French army Is very different
{ lighting instrument from the ill-or-
ganized and insufficicntly equipped
force which went out to defeat for
ty-four years ago.
French Better IN Artillery.
In artillery alone, it is said. the
| French are greatly superior to the
Germans and while the levies are per-
hnps not as well set up and smart in
appearance ais the Teutonic soldiers,
/ II was said by member of the gen
eral staff who had personally visited
both armies within the last year. that
the men under the tr-color were
possessed of certain loose jointed
activity that promised to make them
most formidable foes.
/ II was pointed out that the French
while sufficiently enthusiaftic. are
no longer filled with the abandon
which led them to destruction in the
/ 70's. but are now proceeding with
icaution in their plans and are likely
I TO offer much more stubborn re-
lsistance Experts here think II incon-
ceivahle that the French strategists
should not have made certain against
the repetition OF the terrible mis-
takes which led Bazine's army to its
downfall
Years of Preparation.
On the other hand. the Germans
have for Years practiced on paper
and as far as possible in field ma
nouvers. the movements to be made
on every square Of the war map.
They are well acquainted with the
strength OF the French fortresses de-
signed To prevent their advance.
their system Is as near perfect as
human foresight can make IL, and
lif they fail now al the outset it will
mot be for lack Of the most perfect
equipment that the work Of quar-
ter If century has been able to de-
wise.
Commenting on today's reports Of
the advance in Grey military ex-
perts expressed the opinion that If
the advance is the actual beginning
I Of an INVASION of French territory.
/, il Is believed that the purpose Of the
lGcrman staff is TO make "a desperate
iand formidable attempt to crush
through the French lines Of defense
before they can be fully formed and
organized aud make a lightning-like
lcampaign against Paris itself with
the greater part of the German
army
To Crush France First.
It is believed here that the Ger
man idea is that this can be done
before Frances ally, Russia, can ac-
tuany mobilize and get her vast
iarmy under way TO attack Germany
on the eastern frontier, and 1t is said
that The Germans have the best Of
information as to the real resources
and weaknesses of the Russian
itroops and are confident that the
hack Of proper transportation facili-
ties and equipment are certain to-
make the task of mobilization very
Z SLOW ana imperfect undertakings
Then. the Germans also are count
ing on their allies the Austrians, 10
worry the Russians sufficiently TO
delay a really dangerous attack from
the east for II is not believed that
the small servian army can com
pletalv absorb the latent offensive
mowers of the Austrians 1t follows as
la natural development of that plan
Of campaign, that il the German
onset on France is successful the
lbulk az the army then viii be imme-
diatek transported across Germany
to attack as much of the Russian
army as may have been able to force
It's way over the powerful line OF
fortificaions which euard the Ger
man eastern frontier
Great Britain and Italy
THE Impression prevails among
the experts that in the hesinnins g
lleast. neither Great Britain nor ltaly
VIII figure greatly in the military
problem. even If they declare war
and that the British fleet viii be full
I'M occupied in keeping the German
ships Of war sealed up at kiel.
DEVELOPMENTS of the campaign,
however may draw into the line of
battle the soldiers Of both these coun-
tries in ma latter stages and in the
lopinlan Of experts here. may as in
1.-THE Napoleonic wars. turn the for
tunes OF battle.
Cant "a Ralottsn,