TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-12-21

A
co and because, on the other hand, the
safety would be less complete.
This admitted there would be several
other points to consider, such as rail
way transportation, the question Of
reputation, which the English army
could make, the question conserving
the chief command OF the allied forces.
i He inquired whether our preparations
we're sufficient in order TO SECURE the
defense of the country during the eros.
sing and the transportation Of English
troops, which he estimated TO last about
ten days.
| / answered him that the places Ma
niur and Liege were protected from a
coup de main and that our iieId army
OF 100000 men would be capable OF in,
teryention within four days
| After having expressed his full salts
faction with my explanation my visitor
laid emphasis on the following facts;
First That our conversation was en-
tircly confidential.
Second That il was not binding on
his government.
Third-That bis minister, the Eng
lish general staff, he und / we're, up to
the present, the only ones informed
about the matter.
Fourth That he did not know
whether the opinion OF his sovereign
had been consulted.
In following discussion Lieutenant
Colonel Barnardiston assured me that
he never had received confidential re-
ports Of the other military attaches
about our army. He then gave the ex-
act numerical data OF the English
forces. We could depend on 1t that in
twelve or thirteen days two army
corps. four cavalry brigades and two
brigades Of horse infantry would be
landed. He asked me to study the
question OF the transport Of these
fcrces to that part OF the country
where they would be useful, and be
promised 10 give me for this pnrpose
details about the composition Of tie
landing army.
He reverted TO the question concern
| Ing the effective strength Of our field
army. and he emphasized that no de.
tnthments should be sent from this
army TO Namur and Liege, becaiiec
tlese places were provided with gar
risons OF sufficient strength. He asked
me to direct my attention TO the neeer
sity OF granting the English army the
advantages which the regulations con.
cerning the military requisitions pro.
vided for. Finally he insisted upon the
question OF the chief command.
! answered him that could say
nothing with reference 10 this last
point and promised him that ] would
study the question carefully.
Later on the English military at.
tache confirmed his former calculations
Twelve days would at least be necessary
TO carry out the landing at the Frenc'i
coast. 1t would take considerably
longer time Zone to two and a half
monthsl to land 100000 men in Ant
wefp.
Upon my objection that IL would be
unnecessary 10 await the end OF the
landing In order to begin with the rail.
way transportations and that il would
be better to provide for these, a.
when the troops arrived at the coast,
Lieutenant Colonel Barnardlston prom
ised TO give me exact data as 10 the
number Of troops that could be landed
daily. !
As regards the military requisitions
/ told my visitor that this question
could be easily regulated.
The further the plans Of the English
general staff progressed the, clearer
became the details Of the problem. The
colonel assured me that one-half Of the
Engiish army could be landed within
eight days, the rest At the conclusion
Of the twelfth or thirteenth day, with
the exception Of the horse infantry,
which could not be counted upon until
latar.
In spite Of this thought had to
insist again upon the necessity Of
knowing the exact number Of the daily
shipments, In order to regulate the
railway transportation for every day.
The English military attache con
Fcrsed with me about several other
luestions--namely:
First-The necessity of keeping the
operations secret and Of demanding
'frlet secrecy from the press.
second--Ths advantages which would
lccriie from giving one Belgian officer
g each English gsnerAI staff. one inter;
'reter to each commanding officer ami
,endarInes 10 each unit of troops In
rider 20 assist ii'e British police troops.
IN the course Of another Interview
sieutenant Colonel Bsrnardiston and /
t'idied the combined operations 10 take
laes IN The event ot > German oiisnaIys