Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-01
FEEL THEY HAVE, TAKEN
MEASURE OF GERMANS
Confidence Of British Soldiers Justified by Events De-
clares Sir Douglas Haig, Who Sees Initiative
Entirely With Allies on All Fronts
BN FRIEDRICH PALMER.

Accredited CorrcsponJcnt with the
British Army OF the Press of the
United states.
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN
THE FIELD, July 3i.-At the close Of
two years OF war and Of the first
month OF the British offensive. Sir
Douglas liais, commander in chief or
the group OF British armies In France,
speaking Of the situation, laid particu-
lar emphasis on the fact that the be-
ginning OF the third year of war saw
the initiative entirely with the allies
on all fronts, while England. for the
hrst time, was cXerting something like
the power worthy Of her numbers and
resources on land
The tide has turned" he said Time
has been with the allies from the first.
!, is only question Of more time till
we win decisive victory, which is
the one sure way to bring peace in
this. as in other. wars
Until this victory is won, IL Ill
becomes a British soldier in France TO
think OF peace
Those who have had freedom along
the battle lines during the last four
weeks have had glimpscs Of the youth
full and scholarly features Of Sir Doug
las in passing his automobile on dusty
and transports. and again Of his ath-
letic figure, alighting from his car at
the headquarters Of one OF the army
commanders for a conferences But
mostly his time is spent in n quiet room
in the small chateau which forms his
Headquarters. In the center of this
room. where lie had a talk with the
correspondent today, was raised a map
Of the region Of the present offensive
with every detail, roads, woods. viii
lagos, trenches, ridges and valleys and
all contours revealed at a glance.
LITTLE SHEETS or REPORTS
COME FROM FIRING LINE
Tho only other machinery at his
command were little sheets OF reports
which come from the firing line through
curtains Of shell fire. giving the status
OF the situation at intervals on every
sector OF the front
The object Of the first summers
campaign and the second for the allies
was TO hold the Germans from fore
ing q decision with their ready num-
hers of men and guns and shells" said
Sir Douglas. Whether it was the able
retreat Of tho British cypcditionary
force from Mons. the stubborn rescue
OF the French and British to German
effort for tho channel ports. the Rus
sian retreat last summer, Bclgium's or
serbia sacrifice, ltaly'S stone wall
ing against Austria's offensive. or
Frances immortal defense of Verdun.
inc purpose was always TO gain time
Tor the preparations necessary to take
IN" offensive away from the enemy"
lie mentioned the days at Yprcs in
III" fall Of 1914, when the British had
not oattalions where they have divi-
Sl"ns now. and fought with flesh and
hlcod against superior gun fire. Since
ne took command of the army. which
ne mad to train and form, his favorite
word has been patience" to his sub
ordlnates and callers
our preparedness at the start Of
thc war was due to its unexpecteJ-
ness; mat is no secret" he continued
While France, which had a great ma
tlonal army and universal service was
giving all her strength. we had IN
begin building from the bottom. Tho
majority Of our best regular officers
hhd been killed or wounded in ,ho
carly fighting. With the remainder as
nucleus TO drill and organize tho
volunteers '''c
~, he had the spirit that o,irk-
enc'h. We undertook to create an army
ni millions which must he offircrcd
Ia!3"iF by 'ncM OF no military cxneri-
een'e I" fight the German army win
us forty years of preparation.