Evening star., 1914-11-08

their 'Af first s'fi line es in '>1a nartasra ss
France to the Marne a good dea
was said and written of Fabian tao
tics" and when the Germans fell back
from the line of the Marine to the Aisne
more was said of Fabian tactics" In
this country when Washington and the
heroic Continental army fell back be-
fore the English in superior force 2no
of superior equipment and perhaps su-
perior discipline his tactics were called
FABIAN" In fact, Gen. George Wash
ington was called and by his historical
writers is still at times referred to as
"the American Fabius." 1t is probably
true that many Americans long parted
from their school books have forgotten
about Fabius, even though whenever
an army makes an orderly retreat for
the purpose of gaining time or reaching
a more favorable position they speak
fuently of Fabian tactics" II Is a
phrase that comes trippingly on the
tongue.
Fabius, as might easily be guessed
from his name, was a Roman. He COM
manded the legions of Rome against
the power of Carthage 200 years before
came to be called after Fabius were no
doubt employed centuries before Rome
was born. Fabian tactics without doubt
have been used ever since bodies OF
men made war. but it may be that
Fabius so refined or systematized those
tactics that 1t is just and worthy they
bear his name.
Fabius, in 81: BIC, stood opposed TO
the hosts or hordes of Carthaginlans
under the brilliant leadership OF HAN
ntbal. In battle before Fabius Maximus
was called to the supreme command OF
the Roman troops in the field, the
Carthaginians had been victorious. Fa-
bius. profiting by what had befallen his
predecessors in command. aVoldeo
pitched battle in the open anu re-
treated, fighting as he fell BACK, noiu-
ing off the enemy with what are no"
described as rear guard actions. Draw
ing the enemy further and further from
base or the sources of supplies. weary,
ing their troops more than he Wearled
his own and delaying a battle until ne
reached ground where his position
would give him great advantage po-
sition which could certainly be de-
Tended against superior numbers
where the loss in men and morale OF
the assailants must be great ana
where at the proper moment the coun-
ter stroke could be delivered with high
promise Of success. the tactics of Fa-
biuS won.
In some ways the phrase Fabian
tactics" has been diverted from its
original and proper significance and
is made to comprehend any tactics OF
particularly shrewd or foxy
nature. In this connection it has been
said that Napoleon employed Fabian
tactics with brilliant success at
Austerlitz. The combined Austrian and
Russian armies greatly extended their
line in an effort to turn the right
flank of the French army and cut its
communications. 1t seems as though
this move would succeed. for Napoleon
permitted it to develop without serious
resistance. Then he suddenly con-
centrated his whole strength at the
center. with the exception of a portion
of Bernadotte's corps. which he left
to deal with the Austrian turning
force. and burst through the line.
destroying one wing OF the Austrian
army as it retreated.
Historians of Rome deal at con-
siderable length with a family called
the Fabii. 1t Is narrated that this
ancient and renowned family under
took the duty of defending Roman ter
ritory against incursions by the Veien-
tines. and for this purpose established
themselves at place on the Cremera
river. The Fabii were drawn into
ambush and were all killed. The date
of that event is given as BIC. All. A
boy of the family Fabii had been LETT