The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-04-01
THURSDAY, APRIL l, 1915.
What France has Done.

Russia and Germany were both read
ier FOR war than France. 1t is I'M
doubtedly true that Russian mobiliza-
ton had proceeded far toward effec-
4iveness before war was declared.
Gormany's plans were SO complete that
mobilization for her meant merely the
waving of the magician g wand.
But France was unready. Germany s
blow through Belgium almost succeed
ed because Of this Too much reliance
had been placed by France, first, on
the protection to a large part Of her
frontier offered by the neutrality of
Belgium, and, second, on the strength
Of the Belgian Notifications In case
the little country's neutrality should
he violated.
Three things combined to save Paris.
They were the resistance Of the French
Notifications on the Verdun-Toul and
Epinal- Belfort line, the mastery tao
tics Of General French in retreat from
mons and the forced movement of
the pursuing Germans across the front
of Paris.
With these three factors conspiring,
France obtained time to breathe when
1.-THE tide Of invasion was turned and the
Germans were driven back to the Aisne.
Since the beginning Of the siege from
tine North Sea to Upper Alsace she has
done much to make up for the weak
nesses that were apparent in the first
weeks of the war. Possibly one of the
most important things done has been
ito retire the incompetent commanding
officers, of whom Joffre discovered
many when the test of actual field
work was applied to the military gen
Itlemen whose chief occupation had
been parading the Champs Elysee in
uniform. The morale of the fighting
force has been much improved by the
substitution of fighting men for orna-
mental soldiers in the positions of re
lsponsibility
Not less important is the fact that
France has found herself. She has
completely conquered whatever lurking
fear of unftness may have been in her
soula born of her experience in 1870
The three or four days in which she
was on the heels of her foe between
the Marine and the Aisne did much to
inspire confidence, but what has done
more is the realization that in the
severe test of prolonged trench work
defensive and offensive--her soldiers
possess the stability and doggedness to
match the elan and esprit for which
they have been ever famous in open
fighting.
France has held her line firm along
the Disc, the Aisne and the Meuse. AT
only two points has there been serious
threat of reverse--Soissons and ST.
Mihiel The latter was for while a
menace of grave possibilities 1t look
co as if the Germans might break
through the Verdun-Toul barrier. But
they have failed to press the advantage
gained. At SCISSORS, where thew are
within fifty miles Of Paris, their adj
vance was checked after its first rush.
and the French lost nothing by learn
ing that they could check sudden as
sault OF the valorous German foe.
AT some points on the front they
have improved their positions. This is
notably true in the Champagne and on
the roads to Metz east of the Mouse
They have retained foothold on Ger
man soil in the lost province of Alsace,
and still command most of the import
ant positions in the Vosges
Meanwhile their reserves have been
trained for the final test Of strength,
and are today being marhaled at the
front in chosen positions related to the
general plan of attempted advance
agreed upon with their British and
Belgian llics.-Chicaoo Post