New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-15
Observer Thinks Battle of
Marine Proved Relative
Worth of Troops.
KAISER'S SUPPLY
SYSTEM COLLAPSES
Soldiers Said To Be Unfit, OV.
ing to Complete Breakdown
of the CommiSSariat.
By GEORGE DRU.

Especial Correspondent New York Tghy,.
and London STANDARD
Paris, Sept. l4.-lt is quite clear
that in the battle OF the Marne u.
Germans did their best and were beat.
en- in a battle which they themselves
recognized as critical and as the turn.
ing point of the campaign in France
One feature stands out clearly, and
that is that the French troops are ca.
pable Of meeting the Germans On
equal terms and Of beating them. II
the battle of the Marne produced 10
other re suit than the realization o.
this fact on both sides its effect %
the rest of the war would still be Of
incalculable value.
The defeat of the Germans will b
supremely important in many other
directions. Vast quantities Of Mill
tary stores and ammunition which
have fallen into the hands Of the 81.
lied armies show clearly how diser'
derby the flight of the Germans b.
came in the last day or two. and TIE
loss of more than 200 guns alone sii
a severe blow to Prussian self-esteer::
Advancing, the allied armies f0gns
large areas of ground Uttered VIA
rifles, ammunition belts, knspsseGA
drinking TASKS, ammunition wsgeaS
boxes of -four and other paraphsf,
MALTA. Some OF the Germans hsd
thrown off their coats, as well rs oths
portions of their equipment. IN thei
desire to tighten themselves and aus
facilitate escape. -,
After the superiority Of the British
and French troops compelled the Gef,
mans to retreat, the retreat Develops
into flight partly owing to the collapse
of supplies of ammunition and 1904
During the previous Withdrawal Of ne
French army from the north OF France
TO lines between Paris and Verdun Iny
took with them nearly all the ayalliM
cattle, wheat and foodstufs, so that ne
Germans adva ced through regions o.
most deprived Of any means OIL SUSIE
nance. Thrown back on their own sse'
plies, brought up over greatly pT'
longed lines OF communication, neI
commissariat was unequal to the usl
and broke down.
The Wanted German organizSt9a
was not able to cope with this dlrleSA
situation. Many German prisoners ~
they had been without food for peros,
varying from twentyfour to forty'etsn
hours, and some were so weak tn,l
could hardly stand; dozens and seogs
of Germans soldiers were found oy'as
on the ground; others we're IN suH
Of complete exhaustion. Inc utS"J
demoralized condition Of hundreds
German prisoners testies IN ltsen y
the incredible privstions which psI
had undergone. Most Of their p'n"
were skeletons. -
Fifty Uhlans under the command
a non commissioned officer gave tnsh'
selves up 70 the French in Montere.ss
saying: do what you like with u
They were dying from hunger and y
tigue and had TO be 80 20 the reh"
ambulances. IL
Apart from .he heavy losses wax
the Germans sustained during the w
ing thew had been severely punlssesH
their 1ursuers during the hurried
t~9at. The British and French arthlss
Jecimated columns OF the ruf
enemy, who also had been pursued
lentlessly by cavalry Of the s
armies. Ia
Judging from unofficial accounts ~
now are beginning 10 come 10 o.
great battle. there is every reason
believe the French official eornmua'
tions have uaderststed the extep
the victory.