The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1915-06-25
BY Pr. G. R. Mente, Grangerburg

the sea tactics of Germany,
Russia crowding her armies into
Hungary, Italy taking hand in the
struggle, the storm along the western
frontier ceased as by miracle and the |
Kaiser moved the veteran troops
from the western theater of war to the
Austrian-H Hungary line Of battle. AS
soon as German generalship took
hold Of the desperate affairs of the
dual monarchy's army the superiority
Of German discipline made itself felt
and today the seeming defeat of the
great army of Austria has been turn
ed into one of the worst defeats for
allied troops ever experienced in this
or any other age.
This once more shows that my con-
tention as to the superior generalship
Of Germany is correct. Why did not
England, France and Belgium at once
take advantage of the weakened con-
dition of Germany's western army and
drive the invader from France and
Belgium soil The future sage will
have to answer this question. Metz
was almost in the hands of the allied
army, when the veteran troops of Ger
many were withdrawn to be replaced
by reserves and land storm soldiers,
yet no decided offensive was instituted
by the defenders of French Belgium
territory. 1t reminds me Of the unde-
cided action OF the former generals;
for when Bazine,, who had been en-
trusted with the remnants Of the Sec
ond army saw that it's only chance of
victory was in a successful flanking
movement, he retreated and with the
fortress of Metz in his rear he sought
to give battle to the superior forces
of Germany. 1t required only the
foresight of Prince Karl to most sue
cessfully turn the tide in favor of his
fresh. troops and when the terrific
struggle began on Aug. 18, at noon,
the incessant heavy artillery fire from
more than 100 Prussian guns soon
silenced the French batteries, tho the
men manning the guns fought like de-
mons in hand to hand struggles.
Gravelotte was looked upon as in
vincible, yet the Saxon troops at the
cost of hundreds of their very best
men and the loss of some of their lead
| ing officers, were enabled to turn the
tide of battle in favor of Prussian
arms. AS the sun was sinking upon
the blood-stained battlefield the COM
bined German armies attempted a gen
eral advance and Bazaine, who after
wards was branded BY 9 court mar
| tial as a coward and traitor, took adj
vantage Of the moonless night to fall
back upon Metz, tho he should have
known that his only escape was thru
the German lines. This is called the
third battle of Metz and really de-
cided the fate of the Empire, for the
army of France was entirely cut III
two.
The one-half was now surrounded
by the combined armies of the Bavar-
ian King and the cavalry forces Of
the undaunted Prince Fredric Karl Of
Russia within the walls Of Metz
| whi'e the other half was threatened by
three great detachments of Prussiar
arms. History will never charge the
French soldier of the line with cow.
ardice while the reasonable behavior
of French generals will ever go or
record Only those who were person.
ally interested in events of those days
will be able to understand the dreadful
demoralizing effect upon the army
when faith in leaders has been chal-
lenged.
/ You can see the effect at the present
time in the east where the vast hordes
of Russia, having become demoralized
are offering little, if any, resistance
to the advance of the enemy. 1t was
thus with our troops after the final
fall of Metz. In Paris the defeats Of
| the French armies had a strange eff
feet upon the people and it became
necessary for the government to muz-
zle the press to insure the continuance
Iof the empire. But even the most
careful censorship permitted rumors
Of lost cause to reach the capita
and now France called for revenge up
on the German extraction, that were
peacefully living within its borders
| / never did approve Of the doctrine o1
an eye for an eve, hence am not il
sympathy with the treatment given K
the citizens Of Germany dwelling ii
French lands. Like Germany in thi'
present war, France in "a was guilt!
Of criminal offenses against noncom
battants, women and children and onl!
after reaching Switzerland or Belgium
soil, were the fugitives safe from thy
i passions Of the aroused populace. Sucl