New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-07
Won Moltke's Reported Removal
and the Reasons Which Make
1t Seem Probable.

dismissed Field Marshal Won Mottke as clicl W
the German General STAFF and given that post 10
Major General Won Noigts Rhetz comes in very
postiye form and docs no great violence TO proba-
bihties The development Of the German campaign
since the first week in September has given the
Kaiser strong incentive to look about for scape'
GOAT. In spite Of the supposed dangers of swap
ping horses while crossing stream public opinion
in Germany would probably give its hearty APP
proval 10 a move on Emperor Williams part which
meant that he was dissatisfied with the progress
made in both the western and eastern theatres OF
war and wanted the German armies TO take
fresh start under new leadership.
Lincoln was the author of the phrase aboIt
swapping horses in mdstream Yet he had the
courage 10 disregard his own maxim when he re
moved General Hooker and put General Meade III
command of the Army of the Potomac at the most
critical iuncturc in the Civil War. Meade was
appointed only three days before the Battle of
gettysburg was fought while the Army of the
Potomac was hurryng into Pennsylvania to repel
the Confcdcrac!s most threatening sally into
Northern territory. But events thoroughly jus
lifted the change in COMMANDERS In similar
crisis in Gcrmauys affairs the Kaiser would De
wise in rsking shakc-up which lie thought would
lead TO greater military efficiency.
II is not at all clear how much of the reNpon-
Sibility for the conduct of the war has really
rested on Won Motkcs shoulders. His selection
as chief of staff was due 10 the kaisers personal
favor and 10 his relationship to the great organizer
Of victory in 1866 and 1870 rather than 10 his
strictly military capacities. He has been regarded
as courtier and a diplomat rather than as man
If blood and iron" and a thick-andthn mitarist
Of the Bernhard school. It must be remembered
that the Kaiser has not always been in the com
petest sympathy with the military extremists. He
has had among his intimate advisers many leaders
10 industry and in the arts of peace, and has not
accepted Bcrnbardis dctum that the maintenance
of that peace which Germany has needed to de
vclop her manufactures. create great merchant
marine. amass wealth and raise the standards OF
living could only lead to dabbiness and national
degeneration. In Won Moltke he found chief Of
the General STAFF who would not oppose his own
views and would act nc buffer between him and
the irreconcabIes Of the war for wars sake party.
In peace Won Moltke thoroughly acceptable.
Yet in war his leadership. whether it be nominal
or actual has not produced the results which Ger
mauy expected. Undoubtedly the quick and sweep
,iI,d
the German public. The great turning movement
through Belgium and Northeastern France brought
the German forces right up to the Notifications Of
Paris On the face of it the Germans had scored
tremendous success. But they found the
turning movement white elephant on their hands.
Having carried it through, they could not follow
il up. The armies of the Prussian Crown Prince,
of the Grand Duke Of Wurtemberg and of General
Won Hansen did not second the work of Generals
Won Kluck and Won Bulow. The latter two had 10
retire sixty or seventy miles 10 the north, and
,bc whole impetus OF the German invasion
vanished.
Whose fault this was is still a mystery Eut
Won Motke had to shoulder the blame. Similarly
the unstcadines> Of German strategy in the eastern
field hal TO be laid at his door, When the Rus
siaus Unexpectedly ovcrran East Prussia The Gen
eral Staff changed its plans. For political rather
than military reasons it detached troops from the
western arena and sent them east. The Russians
we're driven back across the PrusSian boundary
line and Russia was invaded. But the results Of
that effort were almost negligible in military
sense while the weakening Of the western armies
helped TO paIIiyze the campaign in France II
would have been Sounder Judgment to allow ihe
Russians 10 advance all the way 10 the Ni>tulI
River ard TO send every available reinforcement
10 the west since it was III France that Germany
counted upon winning the decisive victory whic.
was 10 close up the first phase Of the war on two
frontiers" in blaze of glory
The active defence Of East Prussia absorbed
much of Gcrmanys strength to minor advantage
aud allowed the Russians TO defeat the Au>tr0-
Hunga riau armies in Gacia and TO occupy two
thirds Of that province. In the east. therefore
Germany and Austria Hungary have lost much