The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-28
FRENCH DIDN'T HEED
WARNING ON NORTH
German Enveloping Attack
From Belgium Will Be
Hard to Stop.

LONDON. Aug 2s.-The Times >" mil.
itary expert says:
News that the allied armies in the
north Of France have retired to the line
of Lecateau and Cambria shows that IN.
active defence OF the line OF Lille and
Maubeuge has been abandoned and that
these two fortresses have been left tenn
porarly to look after themselves.
at Is disappointing after the Ions no.
tice given OF the direction of the main
German attack that the valuable defensive
properties OF tie line at Lille and Msu.
beuso have not been utilized and canno,
now be taken adv antase of
The advantage of numerous river lines
and foundations which might have been
prepared On the Scarpe and Scheldt and
the forests which might so easily have
been obstruct,d TO limit the enemys sd.
vance has All gone.
"Nauban must turn in his grave FOR
his successors have not known how TO re-
place the ceinture defer by defences suit.
able TO modern war
The necessity for holding the interval
between the river Scheldt at Cambria and
the Sambre near Lecateau Is probably due
To the need which the French higher
command experiences for holding on
grimly to Mezieres. Once this point goes
or the Mouse between Mezieres and Yer.
dun Is penetrated by the invaders. the
whole system OF frontier defence OF cas-.
ern France breaks down.
'1f the field armies are or believe
themselves to be- inferior to their enemy
nothing remains but retreat 70 TN.
Falaises de Champagne These falaises
or downs extend from Joigny, near AuN.
ere on the Yonnc In the south through
Troyes, Nitrylefrancois and Laon TO La
Fere. Their natural continuation north
westward is She line Of the Somme
"If all this line is occupied betimes
and skilfuly defended with the cam.
paign ~ 1914 in mind. 1, should he
most difficult to penetrate on this linz
ia Fere. Laon and Rems are provided
with permanent fortihcations but W.
mr." not at that point yet.
THE line from Lecateau to Cambria Ia
doubtless extended on the right through
Nouvlon and Hirson to the little river
Sormonne. which forms natural ditch
In This section of the frontier and unitss
with the Meuse at Mezieres.
"A fort at Hirson and tho Fort dos
Ayvelies at Mezieres will take their part
In the defence OF this line.
so far so moderately good. but ws
must expect the German envelopinr At
tack on the north to extend west NJ
Cambria and attempt TO seize the limo "
the Somme before the allies can oc'
cupy It."
He continues:
1T is useless in the absence OF inforn'a
tion TO speculate on the situation west
OF Cambria. but unless the present strata
Is quickly relieved ". must abandon our
bases on ~. coast northward Of the mouth
OF the Somme and shift TO IIavre or cher
/ bourg. Wherever the new base is IT must
| be fortified and garrsoned
III We are unable to resume the o.
| fensive and beat back the German attack
! In the north. one of the consequences viii
he that the Germans will establish an az
craft base opposite Dover and will he abe
to keep US under constant observation, moi
To say attack"
The writer urges Great Britain to make
| immediate preparation with searchlght'
and anti-aircraft guns for counter at'
tack