The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1914-08-20
TWO SCHOOLS OF
STRATEGY CLASH
French and German Methods Put
to Test.
THEORIES EXACTLY OPPOSITE
outfiankIng Of Enemy Chief Feature
Of German Tactles-Freneh System
10 More Varied and Less
Simple.

The clash between the armies OF the
French republic and the German en-
pire will prove of extraordinary In
terest TO military tacticians for many
reasons. Results should settle, for
some time to come, conflicting prinoi-
pies Of strategy which at present are
somewhat OF q puzzle.
There Is only one element capable
OF confusing the issue, namely, the
totally different racial characteristics
and temperaments, in SO far as they
interfere with the practical applica-
ton OF the tactical theories which
have been worked out by the ablest
minds of the two great military or
CARNATIONS OF these powers.
AS far as can be learned, little fault
can be found with the condition OF
preparedness OF both armies OF the
Franco-German frontier. The German
forces, II anything, outnumber those
OF France, but when one is dealing in
millions the difference, proportionate-
ly considered, is really not so great
as IL seems at q glance Even a slight
superiority in maneuvering the huge
army corps, and little greater ability
to have them In the right place at the
right time, may more than overbal-
ance any discrepancy in the total num-
Der of men in the field.
The German organization Is the old
er. It's present system is built on the
foundation supplied by the victorious
armies Of the Franco-Prussian war. In
discipline, training, mobilization and
principles Of moving large bodies Of
troops, it is the logical successor that
one would expect to find, making al
lowance for the development of mod
ern weapons, transportation facilities
and equipment.
; Both nations have efficient aviation
corps Germany has the advantage in
the number Of dirigibles, while France
has some $50 aeroplanes already in
commission, against about 400 OF the
Germans.
French Artillery Superior.
In the artillery arm 1t is generally
admitted that the French are supe-
rior. The gunners are faultlessly
trained, and the guns themselves are
of a more modern, powerful and eff
Client type.
To sum up, Germany outnumbers
France approximately 100000 TO A.
00O 900 In total war strength. She is
supposed to be slightly superior In
general discipline and training, while
in two special arms, aviation division
and artillery, France has noticeable
advantage This is how the materials
with which the rival tacticians will
have to work, compare.
Strangely enough, the underlying
principle or spirit of the military or
ganization OF each nation would seem
to fit the other better. II is the French
who have given the greater emphasis
to complex dispositions Of troops for
purposes of security and sureness, and
the Germans who permeate themselves
with the idea that simplicity of tactics,
coupled with energy and fierceness of
attack, brings success.
Col. de Grandmaison, a French
tactical authority, leoturing to a class
in a school of military instruction re-
Gently, drew sharp distinction be.
tween the two systems, pointing out
the strength and weakness OF the
practical application of the German