New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-20
Events Have Set Him
and Sir John French
on High Military
EminenCe.


fighting in mass and greatly superior numbers
with troops fighting in extended order. To have
the host chance of success must night IN such
nositions that Che battlefelds are limited BY
strong fortresses which will support extended
les and by limiting the front, hamper the move
ments of the msssed Germans"
That is why he chose the valley Of the Marine,
with the great fortresses Of Paris on his left and
those of Verdun az bis centre, or, rather at the
other end of his left wing, in which to make his
stand against the Germans. lie had the moral
coura C 20 wait until he could pick this position,
and subsequent events hare amply justified his
course
COVERS GREAT DISTANCES DAILY IN A RAG
ING CAR.
Apparently then, General Jofre, Joffre lie Taci-
.urnc has been doing the right thing on both
wings from the beginning. Whatever ones SYM
pathes in this tremendous conflict, one can hard
II fail to rejoice that completely human
and sympathetic has made good in life's hardest
school. We learn that he dashes from point to
point of the tremendous front over which his
armies are spread in high-powered racing auto
mobile driven by Georges Boillot, the famous rae
ing driver, who won the Grand PriX; that on his
rounds lie receives calls daily from al ranks OF
the ermy, from colonies with war plans down to
privates OF the rank and file, who wish to protest
a~ains. this and that and that he treats every
re in kindly fashion, as BELTS the great hearted
father of the army. Ones mind reverts to the
pictrre of Colonel Goethals in his private
making the rounds of the canal and holding court
wherever grievance came to his ears. What
contrast, for example, to the Little Corporal on
his white charger.
al boua mt n OF
sion tha. the French commander is ever lax or
,.,dIIy Icnient Only year ago he startled
France With all example OF his discipline when he
removed from their posts five of the highest
French generals because they had displayed physi-
cal unftness at the annual maneuvres. Al these
same manGuvres he gained universal praise due
to the remarkable showing Of all the departments
of the service, and reward 1T was granted thas
he be personally responsible with the Minister OF
War for the French forces. No one can gainsay
his commands or opinions, not even the PRESIDENT
Of the Renublic.
And row to turn for a moment 10 Sir John
French, who Is destined TO play an ever more I'M
portant role in the western seat OF war as EGG
Iish renforcements swell his force to within
Continental .andards. Field Marshal French Is
an Irishman, though born in Kent sixty-two years
oco. and he owes his reputation as a soldier to
war. Yet as a youth he entered the navy, was
...- duated from the old training ship Britannia
md was appointed midshipmsn, serving on the
battleship Warrior. But he tired Of the sea som,
resigned and with some difficulty obtained CON-
mission IL the Stk Ilussors, rom which he vas
transferred 10 he 18th Eussars.
Iiie 3rs! active service -Tas under Lord Wo'se-
leg IL the Nile expedition of lSS4-'s5, undertaken
to rescue GeUcral "Chinesc" Gordon from Rhar-
um. I.a accompanied @;r Herbert Stewards ex-
pcd.t.oa ac.oz; me Bs.udG Desert and was pres-
ent ir tho cree light - Abu Klea. After some
wears spent as CHIEF o. staff 20 General Sir
George Luck, the Inspector general OF cavalry in
iad", he obtained the command of h;- old hussar
regimen.
Al the Ouvbreal o. the Boer war Sir Red5ers
Butler, appointed 70 assume the direction of the
British army in South Africa. made French a
member o. his STAFF On reaching he Cape he
intrusted to him the command OF is principal
brigade OF cavalry.
The brilliant affair at Elcndslasgte. and the
good conduct OF The. division on "Alournful Mon
day' Justified his choice; but French first DIS
played ta'cnts OF the highest order when he was
scrt 70 hold in check the superior numbers OF
Beers before Colesburg. These levies were en-
tertained by Sir Johns cavalry until the rein
forcements sent cut with Lord Roberts had
reached the theatre Of war.
1t was, however, the march % Kimberley and
the pursuit and interception Of Cronjes column
at Paardebcrg Drift whicl. showed the world that
at am ys:c one of he British generals could
wage war in the old-iashioned way which for cod
curics had made British troops terror to :heir
enemies. That charge has been considered the
.urniEs point Of tho VAL
HIS RESIGNATION WHEN TROOPS WERE
SENT TO ULSTER.
Within six weeks of the opening OF the present
war Sir John French resigned his command dur
nc the controversy over the use of the troops in
Ulster. lr. Asquitn in Parliament voiced the
feeling Of profound regret that the splendid