The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-06
THINK KAISER MAY
FOLLOW 1870 PLAN
GENERAL STAFF BELIEVES THAT
STRATEGY THAT CONQUERED
FRANCE, WILL BE DUPM-
GATED.

Washington. Aug 6.-That Germany
proposes to duplicate In the war with
France. as far Us possl BILE. the strate-,
gle movements which brought her
victory fofty-four years ago in the
Franco-Pfussian var. Is the opinion
Of the army general staff here. based
on the opening Of hostllities between
Germany and France yesterday.
Military strategtsts here. however,
are doubtful OF the success OF such
IA campaign at this time. 1t Is pointed
out that the French army is a very
different fighting Instrument today
from what K vas forty-four years ago.
when, in-organized 'and insufficiently
equipped. IL met d crushing defeat.
The important difference In the
opening day II the Franco PRUSSIA
war-~it also was August was that
then the second army corps of France
took the initiative. crossing the border
to attack the Germans at Saarbrucken.
only To receive u stunning check. This
tfIM6 the ChQf0EtcHt encourage
Of the anniversary failed to give the
German forces as suspicious a start
as on that same fatefui date in 1870.
The battle of Saarbrucken was fol-
lowed by the withdrawal Of the French
army under Baz4iue to Metz, where
It was shut UP fer many months, only
ia be obliged in The END to capitulats
10 the German forces
May Repeat 1870 Moves.
The fact that the German staff has
chosen again to strike at France in
the very same place where the VIC
torious campaign Of 1870 was initiated
has led The experts here to the con-
clusion that it is Germanys intention
10 repeat closely the strategic move
ments OF the Franco-Prussian war.
The Germans have for years prac-
ttced ON paper. and as far as possi-
bic In field maneuvers. the move
meuts 20 be made on every square
of the war map. They are we'll ac-
quai0ted with the strength OF the
French fortresses designed 10 prevent
their advance, their system is as near
perfect IS human foresight can make
II, and IL they fail nov at the out
set it will not he for lack Of the most
perfect equipment that the work OF
a quarter of century has been able
TO devise.
Commenting on todays reports OF
the advance on Grey, the military
experts expressed the opinion that IL
the advance Is the actual beginning
IF an invasion Of French territory, ii
is believed that thu purpose OF the
German staff IS TO make q desperate
and formidable attempt to crush
through the French lines Of iafense
before they can be fully formed and
organized. and make q lightning like
campaign against Paris itself with the
greater part Of the German army.
The German Reasoning.
II is believed here that the German
idea is that this can be done before
Frances ally, Russia, can actually
mobilize and get her vast army un-
der way TO attack Germany on the
eastern frontier and it is said that
the Germans have the best of infor-
nation as TO the real resources and
Weaknesses of the Russian troops,
and are confident that the lack OF
proper transport facilities ard equip
nent are certain 10 make the task
Of mobilization a very slow and i'm
perfect undertaking.
Then the Germans also are count
ing on their allies the Austrians, to
worry the Russians sufficiently to de-
lay "A really dangerous attack from
the east. for II Is not believed that
the small SerVian army can complete
~ absorb the latent offensive powers
of the Austriaus II follows as q nat
ural development OF that plan of cam
palgn. that If the German onset on
France is successful, the bulk Of the
army then will be i'm Tediately trans
ported across Germany TO attack so
much Of the Russian army as may
have been able to force It's way over
the powerful line Of Qualifications
which guards the German eastern
frontier.
The Impression prevails among tho
experts that. In the beginning at least,
neither Great Britain nor Italy will
figure greatly In the military problem,
even II they declare war and that the
British fleet viii be fully occupied
In keeping the German ships of war
sealed up at kiel