The Washington times., 1914-08-16
GERMAN WAR PLANS
FAILED, SAYS FRANCE
War Office Tells Nation Great
Battle will Be Fought Along
Entire Frontier.

PARIS. Aug. l6-The conditions un-
der which the great battle between the
Germans and the allied forces probably
will be fought are made the subject of
an official communication issued by the
French minister of war today. By its
development and the nature of the
ground over which the battle will be
waged. the communication says this
vast engagement will differ profound
ly from the battles of other times.
by reason of the abandonment of the
attack which the Germans planned
against Nancy" says the communica-
tion, "our concentration has been car
ried out with regularity and in its en-
tirity. and thus the whole Of the French
army will battle with the whole of the
German forces. with the exception of
those German troops concentrated on
the eastern frontier of the empire.
The violator Of the neutrality of Bel
gium has entered the Belgian and
French lines to the frontier of Holland
The next battle. therefore, will be from
Basel to Maastricht, with several mil
lions of men on each side.
1T Is this enormous extension of ef-
fectives and Of front which will charac-
terize the battle. and it will be pro-
foundly different from all other battles.
When two adversaries engage in bat
tie along front of from twenty to
thirty Hlometers thirteen to twenty
miles). the engagement is characterized
by two features-it is rapid and immedi-
ately decisive. With n front extending
over 400 kilometers (26s miles) 1t is not
likely to be the same.
Hard to Gain Advantage.
1T would appear impossible, from all
the evidence. that one of the adversaries
would be able to gain decisive advan-
tage upon this front of 400 kilometers.
The operations along 80 great a line
would have varying fortunes. We will
have an advantage at one or several
points: the Germans will have an ad-
vantage at other points, and the line Of
battle Will continue to be modified until
one of the adversaries succeeds by CO.
ordination of movements and mass of
effort in gaining some point, the supe-
Hority Of which will dislodge the ad-
verse front and mark the end of the
first battle.
THESE observations have for their
object the preparation of the public for
pattle in new form and without prece-
dent in history"
The communication adds that news OF
dennite results need not be expected for
at least eight days or longer. The
statement continues:
IN order that opinion in France and
sise"here can have a Just view and NOT
pc lost In the details of news, II is of
ausantage aus TO lay down in broad lines,
ana without seeking to judge in ad,
vance. the development Of events and
10 classify the results required.
we know from the declarations of
I GeTnan strateglsts, such as Bernhardi,
Ealkenhayne and Won der Goltz. that
the German plan provided FOR a ouick
attack OF the first line upon our cover
ing troops to the north of Nancy.
we Know exactly, without any doubt,
that a second sharp and quick attack
through Belgium and then Immediately
striking at the French frontier
Proof of Double Plan.
"A positive proof Of the verify Of this
double plan is found in the individual
cards of mobilization directing the Ger
man reservists from the fifth to the
fifteenth day of mobilization to toin
their regiments in French cities. such
as Verdun, Rheims. and Chalons-sur-
Marne.
This double-quick attack failed. |
That directed against Nancy was not |
attempted in its entirety. The Germans.
nnding our forces too strong renounced |
the plan.
We know also that the failure OF |
this quick attack through Belgium be-
cause of the resistance OF the forts At |
Lege. the valor of the Belgian army |
and the intervention of our cavalry, |
has kept the German forces eight days |
upon the Meuse. The first results are |
these checks to the German plan"
The war office alludes to the regular
ity of the French mobilization, the con-
centration and coordination of the
French movement with the English and
Belgian allies, and continues:
The Russian army, having acceler-
ated its mobilization. will be able to
operate at the same time with the
French, English and Belgian armies.
The Servian army Is now mistress of
and will cause Austria
Hungary to hesitate to continue to
send her troops. which during the last
eight days have been on their way to-
ward Alsace.
sauadrons control the seas"
French military authorities and the
prefect of police, Celestin Hennion are
generous discretion with re-
spect TO the Germans and Austrians
now in Paris. Many OF those who have
resided for a long time in the city will
be allowed to remain with their
families instead of heing sequestered IN
western and southern France
The public prosecutor. A. Monnet, re-
Iuested the criminal court to acquit a
German named Vogt. who had been ar
rested on suspicion OF being a spy The
charge was not proved.
Justice in France must be applied"
said NJ. Monnet. even toward our i'm
plaCable enemies"
Minister Issues Statement.
The French minister Of foreign af-
fairs issued this statement: