Evening journal., 1914-09-15
General JOffre'S
Successful Strategy
CTrom The New York Tribuno)

In his recent letter 20 the French
Secretary Of War, NJ. Miilerand, Pre-
sldent Poincare, after praislng the
dash and bravery of the French sol
diers. paid this highly deserved
tribute TO the capacity of General
Joftre: The strategical idea con-
ceived by the foresight Of the COM
mander in chief and realized with so
much coolness Of method and resolu-
ton. has been followed during the
recent operations by impeccable tao
tics" In the enthusiasm following
what General Joffre mas now pro-
nounced "undeniable victory for
the Allies some extravaganza OF
culogy might have been expected
from a grateful government But
W Poincare's praise is not eXtrava-
CANT and therefore all the more
effective. General Joffre has faced a
critical situation calmly, ntelligently
and energctically. The success that
! he has won has been due TO the eX-
! orcisc Of the prime military qualities
OF self-control aud patience.
Nothing can be more trying to a
general in chief in the first stage of
! great war than to see his armies
steadily yielding ground TO tho
enemy. Even though he knows that
he is not yet strong enough to risk
critical engagement. the tompta-
tion is almost irresistible TO try 10
ropel the foe instead of retrealing
before him. Popular criticism and
the panic of politicians are likely tu
force him to fight under adverse
conditions, Just as in 1870 popular
clamor and the Interference of the
Empress Regent Eugenio compelled
Marshal MacMahon to make tho
foolish demonstration toward Metz
which ended in the capitulation al
Sedan
General Joffre had to resist enor-
nous pressure when ne decided OF
account of the incompl ateRess of The
French and British mobilization tC
/ make no serious resistance to tn,
, German advance through Belgium
and even to retire before Won Kluckl
turning movement until the German
, armies came within a days march o
the fortifcations of Paris. Although
the government was compelled L
seek a hasty refuge in Bordeaux, III
adhered to his plan )f fighting
= general battle only when he hal
= brought his armies up TO their ful
. strength and had been put into a par
ticularly favorable position TO strik
by the failure of Won Kluck's attemr
to envelop the French left wing. The
he eNerted all his energy and bes
back the German armies on the en-
l. tire front from the outskirts of Pari
y east TO Verdun.
IL In the Civil War General Geore
II. Thomas come near being remove
from command because he would nj
hurry himself in attacking Hood
army around Nashville But ThOms
.= knew what he was doing. He wa
strong on patience and thoroughnes
and when he got through with Hood
army it was only a memory Generi
Ioffre has shown the same admiral
qualities of restraint and tenacity. T
has also known exactly what he w;
Pr doing. and even those who CRITICS,
IN him bitterly whom the Germans we
n overrunning Northeastern Franz
TO must now admit the superiority of h
of judgment.
In The situation in Belgium was ol
es that keenly excited the worlds syr
On pathy. and on sentimental groun
ch France was expected to rush at on
C. T. the defence of Brussels and Al
N. verp Few French troops were Sc
It into Belgium. and when the Germa
easily disposed of the Belgian arr
lot it was charged that France and Gre
he Britain had failed TO sustain an Il
in fortunate ally. But on militia
be grounds an attempt TO defend r,
We gium would have been a plari
OO. Llunder Those who talked of 6el
'in ing a decisive battle at Waterloo.
ice the line of the Dyle River or ON {
wv. Mons Charleroi line did not reali