Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-01-05
.JOFFRE AND
FABIUS.

another, and by so dong compllcu
work intensely interesting and i'm.
mortal. ,Plutarch's Lives was the
text book Of Napoleon, and doubtless
would have been that of Alexander
had the author not lived several
centuries later. Nearly every mar
who has developed military genius
during the Christian era has nour.
ished his copy of Plutarch, and in our
day we see the hints Of illustrious
ancients adopted.
The tactics Of the allies during
their contest with Germany affords q
striking parallel with principles
which moved men before the begin
ming Of the present age. Hannibal
the Carthaginian. had invaded the
Roman empire. 1t had been his am
hition from his youth to cross swords
with that nation. and when he found
himself clothed with power he cross
ed the Mediterranean and without
cause committed i casus belli. His
course may be compared to that OF
Kaiser William, who since Il child
has desired an opportunity to attack
England, the commercial rival Of
Germany, even us was Rome that OF
Carthage. The Romans, at the time
Hannibal manifested his tcmerity,
were 10th to engage in war, yet the
(srthagirian: had invaded a Roman
possession iii Spain and had started
toward the eternal city. Probably
one Of the best and most careful
strategists of the day--FabiuS-Was
sent to check the invader. The Ro
man general sized up the situation,
and like, Jofire of our day, he con-
Guided to avoid Il conflict with the
Carthaginan, but to- follow him up
and wear him out. The invaders were
long way from home and they haG
thinred their ranks in crossing the
Alps and would, in time, find them
selves in a deplorable plight, when
FabiuS would be in position to ell
gage in decisive battle with them.
This plan, however, did not appeal
to the impetuous Romans. Many be
came FESTIVE for an engagement, ara
FabiuS eventually became unpopular.
not only in the army, but in Rome.
and finally the cautious leader was
deposed and general named MIMI
cius took command. The latter al
lowed himself to be led into d battle
by the Vaccinations Of Hannibal and
came out second best. Fabius was
again in honor, but for short time
only when more murmurs were heart,
and Varro. another hot-blooded Re-
man, engaged in battle with the III
vaders. He. too was worsted. To
shorten the story. Scipio carried tho
war into Africa, and it was not long
before noted Roman general was
sitting amid the ruins OF Carthage
musing upon her sad history. Modern
Tunis is situated upon the site oe
ancient Carthage.
These in touch with the situation
in Europe are firmly convinced tha:
Germany is daily growing weaker,
while the allies are growing stronger
every day. The latter say they can
afford to play waiting game, ana
let Germany do the costly attacking
Germany they insist. yearns TO strike
: telling blow at the earliest possible
moment because she realizes thai
every moment lost leaves her tha'
much weaker in men, money, mum
tons and food.
Another thing which pleases tne
allies is the extenGetl battle line nun
drds of miles long. They claim TIL:
places the Germans at a capital dis
advantage. DESTROYS OF forcing de
cisive action the kaiser's forces ap
,arently cannot do SO because strsrch.
d out over such extended tergitor!
he necessary concentration is oui
the question. At the same Time
Ehorten the battle line would ey
pose the TANKS to the allies offer
sive.
lin shert., the; allies are perfect;
prepared to play a waiting game i
arance COUNTS anything 'rh,,
to be Of the opinion that The,
- wear Germany down, and soons
tter, at a moment they Judge cp