Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-12-16
New Head of Expedition in
France and Belgium Has
Notable Career in Military
Service of England.
HIGHLY PRAISED FOR
CONDUCT AT MONS
Change Made at Request of
Field Marshall Who Has
Been Under I0CeSSant Strain
Since HOStiIitieS Began,


London Dee 10 U2;15 "A. M
Field Marshal Sir John French, who
M his own request has been relieved
81 tho command of the British forces
IN France ana Flanders has been sue
ceadcd by General Sir Douglas Haig
Since the landing of the expedition
ary forces Sir Douglas Haig has com
handed the first army and has been
repeatedly mentioned i'm dispatches By
his chief. whose place he now takes.
The change had been expected for
some time and il was announced in
the house OF commons yesterday
"wednesday that statement would
be- published Immediately.
Sir John French becomes command
er-in-chef of the armies of the Unit
ed Kingdom For his sixteen months
service at the front he has been Great
ed yiscount Of the United Kingdom.
Although many had teen mem
toned as possible successors of Field
Marshal French. including that Of the
Duke of Connaught the appointment
IL is said was anticipated i'm the best
informed circles.
lIaig Is Younger.
Sir Douglas Haig is nine years
Younger than his former chief and
won his spurs as a cavalry officer
His first commission was In the Sew
enth Ilussars and as has been the
ease with most British officers OF
higher rank. he saw service i'm the
Soudau India and Africa He was
chief staff officer TO Sir John French
during the Colsburg operations when
the British cavalry had difficult
task n tryinl to round up the mobile
BOcr commanders Later he was
given command of group Of coll
umns and after the South African war
was made inspector general of cavalry
In India one of the most coveted COM
mands for cavalry officers in the Brit
ish service
After a few years of staff duty i'm
England he became chief Of staff i'm
India and "a the outbreak Of the war
vas general officer commandiug at
Aldershot From there he took the
first army to France
Promoted for NnlOr.
In November of last year Sir Doug
las then a lieutenant general, was
promoted To the rank of general for
DISTINGUISHED service i'm the field.
Field Marshal French, In his dis
patch to the British war office de-
scriblg the famous retreat from
Mons credited Sir Douglas with hay
ing eNtricated his corps from a diff
cult position at Landrecies.
u sent urgent messages to the two
commanders of the French reserve di-
visions to come up to the assistance of
the first corps. which they eventually
did said the field marshal's dispatch.
Partly owing to this assistance but
mainly to the skilful manner i'm which
Sir Douslas Haig eXiricated his corps
from am exceptionally difficulty osi-
ton In the darkness of the night. they
We're able by dawn to resume theii
march south towards WassignN ON
Guis
General Haig is a Scotchman. Tic
won his first hOnors under General
Kitchener i'm The Sudan. where he was
promoted TO a brevct major on the
iieId for galantry at Atbara and be.
fore khartum
RcCOId Of French.
Field Marshal Sir John French had
bcer iu charge Of tho British forces
on the continent since tho outbreak
ol the war He is one Of the best
known of the British soldiers and all
WAYS has had the reputation of beinl
a sHllful and dashing leader Of men
NJ John was born in 1852. lie servcC
Tour years in the navy. but not likini
lne sea, he joined the militia an,
through il entered the army
Me has seen wide service. Durin.
the famous Ulster movement insMarct
Of 1914, Field Marshal French, thrt
eniel Of staff of the British army, re-
signed his commission. He was one