New-York tribune., 1916-07-30

II was mooesb plan, put PiaS'iSo',
was consistently pursued, and labo-
riously and minutely studied. 1t rep
resented approximately the maximum
war effort that a voluntary system
would yield, and applied In most
effective and daring manner to . deci-
sive spot 1t commanded assent OF al
most all the leading generals. When
the hour struck II worked with perfect
precision and punctuslity. There was
nothing to argue about, nothing TO
haggle over. The French knew exactly
what they were going to get If Great
Britain decided TO come in and exactly
when and where they were going to
get II. Mobilization schemes, railway
traffic time tables, bases, depots OF
supply and arrangements which would
fill many volumes regulated and in
sured a perfect and concerted execu-
ton. All that remained TO be done on
that day was to take decision and give
the signal.
Plans All Cut and Dried.
But this was not 50 simple as 1t
looks now. The differences which pre-
vailed about entering the war were ag-
gravated by q strong 'cross-current OF
opinion by no means operative only in
the Cabinet, that II we participated 1t
should be by naval action alone Men
Of great power and influence, who since
and during the struggle labored tire
lesslv and rendered undoubted services,
were found to be resolutely opposed 70
landing a single soldier on the CONT
nent; and if everything had not been
nr.psred. If the plan had not been cut
and dried, II il had not been the only
plan, and if all the military opinion hsd
not been industriously mars hailed
ropnd II who shall say what fatal hesi-
fancy might not have intervenedT Inc
fundamental uncertainty and huctua-
t;on from year to year and month 10
month which pervaded the question OF
whether the great war would ever come
or not had always been in strong con-
trast TO the very definite and precise
oninions Of military men about what
would happen if it did. Almost all
professional opinion agreed the strug-
gle would be short and fierce ana IN
few weeks would be decisive. Not until
Kitchener appeared on the scene was
the grim vista Of years opened up
The German generals believed pro-
foundlv that they would take Paris in
month, and they staked everything
ruthlessly on their conviction Inc
French and Russian stats agreed in the
view that the fate of France. and con-
s.ouently the issue Of the war. proba-
blv depended on the first main trial
of strength in the West
Everything at the outset therefore
was held to turn on time. The Germans
trampled Belgium under foot 10 gam
time. The Russians charged forwara
before they were ready. at aPpaillng
sacrifices, in a noble resolve not 70 pc
too late, ana tne TItDCh NOuH wv ""
hours when the British could arrive and
the minutes when their own armies
could take their station.
Problem of Mathematics.
The mobilization system Of each OF
the belligerents was fairly accurately
known to the others. The intended
line of advance of the German armies
was indicated with brutal candor by
their strategic railways and sidings.
The problems were no longer in the re-
gion Of speculation, but Of mathematics.
The French judged the value of any
help that we could give entirely by
when it could arrive. If on that 4th
of August they had been given the
choice of 100000 British soldiers IN
fortnight. or of 100000 in six months,
or 900 900 in year, they would un-
ouestionably replied: What have six
months hence TO do with us? We've
got to live through the six weeks"