New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16


ton of the British commanders
leadership, and the failure to realize
the possibilities of the September Of
fensive stirred a new storm Of CEN
sure.
German reports have since de-
clared that if the British forces had
pushed the advantage won on Hill
70 the Kaiser's troops would have
/ cen compelled to retire. In June,
when French had 100000 men on a
front of only thirty-one miles, the
inactivity Of the British forces
caused London to wonder and to
criticise.
General French has had differences
with General Joffre and Earl Kitchener,
Secretary Of War. On two different
occasions visits by Premier As9uith
TO the front are said to have had for
their purpose the strengthening out OF
difficulties between French and kitch-
ener.
Coming 80 soon after the assembling
Of the Allied War Council, the re
tirement Of French is given Increased
Significance here. On several occasions
the British field marshal, in his re-
ports 70 the War 0ffice, attributed mis-
takes and defeats to the failure Of the
French 70 give him proper cooperation.
Many disputes, il is said, with Joffre
resulted.
Joffre Made Supreme.
On December 2 General Joffre was
appointed commander in chief of all the
French armies except those in North
Africa. Then, when the Allied War
Council met in Paris. on December s,
Joffre assumed the presidency. Since
then there have been several meetings
of the board, and French was present
az the conference Of December Z.
From Paris have come reports OF dis
sension in the council. The French and
Russian delegates, il was said, were
dissatisfied with the tactics OF the
British. Joffre, il was pointed out, had
"scrapped" the inefficient men in his
commands, but the British chiefs had
taken no such action. Family and repu-
tation we're held sufficient 70 keep the
British leaders ut the front.
The retirement Of Sir Ian Hamilton
from the Dsrdanelles was the first shift
in the British personnel But that is
given nothing Of the Importance which
is attached to the recall of French. The
defeats in the Balkans and the in
activity on the Western front have
stirred the Allied leaders 20 drastic
action. il is reported. The retirement
of French Is accepted here as proof Of
that.
For some time French has been under
fire. a month ago Arthur Lynch, Ma
tionalist member for West Clare, urged
in the House Of Commons that Sir
John French, together with 10 pei. cent
of the British command, be shelved.
lie said that French, although in com
mand for the last fifteen months, had
made no progress
Hn the last offensive" said MT
Lynch. "the Allies broke through the
German lines. but in the superior com
mand decision was wanting 10 take tull
advantage of the moral victory.
"The government has no plan OF
campaign The idea Of a successful
war Of attrition is absurd The war
must be won in the field. The men are
good and munitions are there. IL Is
leadership and direction that are lack
ing
The recall of French Is noteworthy
at this time because of the reports that
the Germans will attempt a new often
aivc in the vest before the first of the
year.
Persistent reports come from Hol-
lard Of the concentration of German
armies IN Belgium and Luxembourg
with the intention Of striking blow
rs soon as the ground permits of it.
AZ the present moment the. greater
part of the country is sea Of mud, in
which it would be suicide for any army
10 attempt an offensive.
The reported concentration Of Ger
mans doubtless accounts for the many
air raids which the Entente Allies are
making behind the German lines in an
effort 10 upset the movement Of troops
-.. '4strov shelters. camps and the
supplies Of munitions. which are neces-
sary for an offensive.
s..ra. Fr. -~ L a report 20 the
British War Office last April admitted
that he had made bad blunder at