New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-19

The greatest general Of my time was once
entertained by his friends at the close OF
successful campaign. The only toast pro
posed was the victorious army IN response
10 which he said: "The army has not Deeh
exposed to the severest trial, that or H"o
fortune and retreat; hope that If ~
had been subjected to that ordeal It would
have stood the test" The armies OF the
Allies, both in the west and in the east
have passed this supreme test, as far AS
we know. with credit OF the Russian retire
ment through Poland it ia premature to
speak, for we have seen il only through a
glass, darkly. II seems to have been con-
Quoted hitherto with wonderful judgment
and GOODNESS. The report just published by
the headquarters Of the Belgian army on
its action from July 81 TO December 81
makes it possible for the first time to un-
dcrstand and appreciate one of the most re-
markable campaigns on record. IL reveals
generashp of high order
The report, which is written in French
but Of which an English translation Is prom
sed at an early date, Is model OF lucldity'
and as every operation is illustrated with
clear and simple sketch map, it can be read
by any one however unlearned in military
matters | do not remember TO have read
10 be a first lesson in the art OF war and in
military history. Those readers of "The
Westminster Gazette" who care to form
some idea of the way in which a general
who knows his business thinks out and
solves his problems will learn more from
this small volume, which can be read in a
couple Of hours, than from anything that
has been published since the war began.
The Belgian army was strengthened on July
20 bv the recall to the colors OF three annual
classes of militia. It's mobilization was or
dered on July 81 and was completed on
August g. II then had a strength OF H.
600 men, afterwards reinforced by 1890
volunteers. These troops formed six divi-
sions and cavalry division. and the num-
bers given do not include the garrisons of
the works Of Li6ge, Namur and Antwerp.
After the German note of August the
Belgian government had no doubt that "A
very large German army intended to pass
through Belgium. Accordingly the follow
ing principles were laid down for the con-
duet of the operations of the Belgian army;
Whenever it should be confronted by great
ly superior forces it was to occupy posi-
tons. chosen to cover as much as possible
of Belgium, in which to await, as an ad-
vance guard, the French and British arm
les. III was 10 hNOlu bdttlt WIN Ni'N VII
emy's masses before the arrival of the Al
lies, because to fight in such conditions
would mean its destruction; it was to avoid
being enyeloped and in all circumstances to
keen OMEN its line of retreat for an ultimate
junction with the French and British armies.
Whenever the forces opposed to it should
not be superior it was to attack them. The
fortresses of Liege and Namur and the in
trenched camp of Antwerp were to be de-
Tended.
The Beginning of the Campaign.
On August the army was distributed as
follows: The Sd Division at Liege, the 4th
at Namur, the 1st at TirlemOnt, the I'd at
Louvain, the 9th at Perwez, and the 9th at
Wayre. On the 18th seven German army
corps, 100000 men, were advancing through
Belgian territory toward Liege, the eastern
forts of which next day were bombarded by
Unexpectedly heavy artillery. On the 9th
il was clear that Lege would be surround
ed, and the Sd Division was therefore with