The Washington herald., 1914-08-17
aid TO KAISER
REVIEWS war.
Maj, Won Ritter, Sent Here
Recently, Explains Ger
man Army Tactics.
DENIES LIEGE SLAUGHTER
Military Expert Says that Germany
Holds Greater Part Of the
Fort6caions.

lean Chamber Of Commerce. at II Broad
way. made public yesterday afternoon
the FIRST Of series Of what It terms
impartial presentations Of German oper-
ations and military tactics since the
present European war began. The au-
thor OF the nrst review-and probably the
sponsor for those coming later-is Mai.
Ulrich Won Ritter, Of the Geperal Stan
Of the German army, who came 70 the
United States about five weeks ago TO
study American railway transportation
from a military standpoint. Maj Ritter
came at the suggestion Of the Kaiser.
and has remained here to do this new
work.
In making public Maj. Ritter'S review
the German-American Chamber of Com
merce said; In view Of the fact that
all European war reports are subject to
English and French censorship, and that
news Of German calamities IL constantly
being given out, an impartial presenta-
ton OF German operations and military
tactics will doubtless be welcomed"
His Review Follows.
Maj. Ritter's review follows:
THE severest criticism Of German
operations. especially at the seat Of war
in Belgium, on the part Of the American
II
gained by people that have not been
trained in military matters. .-
"The greatest astonlshment was caused !
by the report that German soldiers had
been killed wholesale because they
fought in closed ranks and from this
statement the deduction was made that
the German soldiers still adhere to the
tactics of Frederick the Great. and have
not learned anything in the meantime.
SaI
IL Germany. disregarding the neutrality
OF the Little Kingdom, had not opened
operations against the military forts i'm
mediately before the French could do 50.
Soldiers are now massed along the
entire line from Belfort practically to
the North Sea and the two armies are
facing each other. but they are facing
each other not on German soil. but on
Belgian soil and in France, so that the
great battles will not be fought on Ger
man territory.
"one point that has not been empha-
sized in any OF the reports, reviews, and
correspondence up TO this time, but that
strengthens the argument OF German
sentiment. that this was essentially a
war Of Asiatic barbarism against Teuton-
ic civilization. is that England has com
bIned her forces with those Of the Slavs
and has endeavored to draw Japan. q
ingly with success. Japan appears to be
taking the aggressive against Germany
in her Asiatic possessions, which Is the
introduction OF Japan to the present
stage OF European politics.
The vanguard of the Germany army
Of the north which was supposed to push
through Belgian territory aiming for the /
modern fortresses Of Liege was engaged
in battles, lasting several days. The |
80
these operations had begun. because the
German soldiers had moved too quickly.
Even with this handicap, the German
loss in storming so formidable fortified
place as Liege, as given out by reliable |
sources. is estimated at from 1000 to 5000.
although the enemy reported as high as
5000.
"Disregarding the tremendous diff
culties and alive only to their duty, the
vanguard OF the German army in Bel
GUM attacked Liege. took the city. and
obtained possession Of the greater part
Of the Notifications.
Explains Close Order Attack.
TT is not strange that observers were
astonished at two reports written by
civilians that the Germans had attacked |
the Belgisns at Liege in close formation.
These reports caused the remark that
Germany had learned nothing and had
not improved her tactics since Frederick /
the Great What actually happened was
that in storminG a fort soldiers were
thrown in skirmish line In a circle of
5000 yards. In advancing this circle
narrowed down and the line Of the SOL
diers closed gradually as they progressed
until at 800 yards they were IN close for
nation. Hence II can easily be under
stood that ultimately they had to fight
in practically solid lines.
The besieging artillery arrived in the
meantime and started effective opera
tons against the fortifcations. took a
greater part Of them. and now it is only
a matter of a few days until complete
German success IL assured.
The army Of the North today over
looks the Mas, and its vanguard is
occupying line between Diest and Ma
muir. These vanguards consist not only
Of detachments of cavalry and OF field
guns, but also of machine guns. Gradual
progress is being made all along the line,
but II detachment inds itself out
numbered, II evades an engagement It
IS not the business of the vanguard to
night. but to reconnoitre and to inform |,
the main army of the whereabouts of |,
the enemy. These tactics have given
rise to the frequent reports Of Belgian
Quick Mobilization.
The mobilization Of the German army
was effected in the most precise manner.
Everywhere, from north to south, the
vanguard Of the German army is meet
ing the enemy-but on French soil.
II the mobilization of the French
army were really SO excellent and ef-
fective as depicted on the Partisan
ooulevards and in the New York news
papers-why are not the horrors of
war carried to German soil?
The outer forts of Longwy have
already fallen German vanguards are
near Montmedy. Pont-a-Mousson, and n
Luneville. All Belgian fortresses were
by French engineers The
French acted as military instructors
81 the Belgians in all important mat
ters Would IL not have been military
suicide for Germany to wait for the
French to occupy Belgium
Strong French detachments took
possession of Alsace on August 10,
after having successfully made their
way through the passes of the vosges
md overpowering the German van
guard at Mulhausen. A glance at the
var map will show that the defense
" these Easses was impossible, since
3elfort. according to the Treaty of
Frankfort. was left In the hands Of
he French.
Captured 1900 Frenchmen.
''Mulhausen, Germany's stronghold
II the R0uthi II fe In reality ~ ~, II