The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-04-22
STRATEGY IN WAR
Retreats to Lure the Enemy From
His Base of Supplies.
KNOWN AS FABIAN TACTICS.
Methods That Have Been Used by
Warriors Since Long Before the
Christian Era George Washington
Was Called the American Fabius.

Warriors Since Long Before the
Christian Era George Washington
Was Called the American Fabius.
After the great war in Europe had
broken loose in the summer of 1914
and the allies fell back from their first
line IN northern France to the Marine
good deal was said and written of Pa
bian tactics" and when the Germans
fell back from the line of the Marine
to the AisEe more was said of "Fa-
bian tactics" In this country when
Washington and the heroic Continental
army fell back before the English in
superior force and of superior equip
ment and perhaps superior discipline
his tactics were called Fabian" In
fact General George Washington was
called and by historical writer's is still
referred to us 1.-The American Fabius."
1t is probably true that many Amer
leans long parted from their school
books have forgotten about Fabius,
even though whenever an army makes
an orderly retreat for the purpose of
gaining time or reaching a more favor
able position they speak fluently of
"Fabian tactics" 1t is phrase that
comes trippngly off the tongue.
Fabius. as might easily be guessed
from his name. was a Roman. He
commanded the legions of Rome
against the powers of Carthage 200
years before the Christian era. The
tactics which came to be called after
Fabius were no doubt employed cen
turtles before Rome was born. Fabian
tactics without doubt have been used
ever since bodies of men made war.
but it may be that Fabius so refined
or systematiZed those tactics that it is
just and worthy they bear his name.
Tabius in PIT B. c. stood opposite
to the hosts or hordes of Carthagin-
ians under the brilliant leadership Of
Hannibal. In battle before Fabius
Maximus was called to the supreme
command of the Roman troops in the
field the Cartha ginians had been vic
torious. Fabius, profiting by what
had befallen his predecessors in COM
mand. avoided pitched battle in the
open and retreated, fighting as he fell
back, holding off the enemy with
what are now described as rear guard
actions Drawing the enemy farther
and farther from base or the sources
of supplies. wearying their troops
more than he wearied his own and
delaying Il battle until he reached
ground where his position would give
him a great advantage-a position
against superior numbers-where the
loss III men and morale of the assai
ants must be great and where at
the proper moment the commensurate
could be delivered with high promise
of success, the tactics of Fabius won
In some ways the phrase "Fabian
tactics" has been diverted from its
original and proper significance and
is made to comprehend any tactics of
4 particularly shrewd or foxy ma
ture. In this connection it has been
said that Napoleon employed "Fabian
tactics With brilliant success at Aus
terlitZ. The combined Austrian and
Russian armies greatly extended their
line in an effort to turn the right
flank of tho French army and cut his
1t seemed as though
this move would succeed, for Napoleon
permitted it to develop without seri-
Gus resistance. Then he suddenly con
centrated his whole strength at the
center, with the exception of a portion
of Rcrnadotte's corps. which he left to
deal With the Austrian turning force.
and burst through the line. destroying
one wing of the Austrian army us it
retrcated.
Historians Of Rome deal at cOlsid-
cradle length With Il family called the
Fahii. 1t is narrated that this ancient
and renowned family undertook the
duty of defending Roman territory
against incursions by the Valentines
and for this purpose established them
selves at Il place on the Cremara river
TIE Fabii Were drawn into ambush
and wore all Killed. Tho date of that
event is given rs b. G. Al.
y, boy of the family Fabii had been
left in Rome, and he became the sec
ond founder Of the family. Fabius
ENilnus, who won his laurels and his
spurs in the second Punic war, was
descended from that boy, and there
WAS another famous member of the
family whose name was FaDills Pictor,
who wrote a history of Rome and who
is often referred to as the earliest Ro-
man historian.--Wa shington Star.