Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-16
STUDY OF DOUGLAS HA|G,
BRITISH COMMANDER
Closeup View of the Man Who is
Directing English Army Now
Serving I'm France.
HAS CONFIDENCE OF TROOPS
Largo Relief Map of tho Fighting
Zone Covers Huge Table and Forms
Major Portion Of tho Generals
Fighting Equipm mt.
ny ISAAC MARCOSSON.
International News Rurean. \

ny ISAAC MARCosSON.
international News Bureau.)
like to remember my nrst glimpse
OF Sir Douglas Haig. 1t came after
unforgettable days and nights with
armies that firtod with death above
and upon the ground. His name ran
like a strain up and down the line.
I had watched troops returning from
raid that had Melted good bag Of
prisoners, and heard tho tubilant officer
s SAY =, =: VII be good news for tho
We turned or the chief artery for
traihe. and travelled for miles along
almost before had realized It we had
run the gauntlet of the sentries at
the IN, gate and had brought up before a
heart OF an architectural enthusiast.
Whether by accident or design. tho
general headquarters are smaller and
more unpretcntious than any of the
others: One reason. perhaps. Is that
Sir Douglas Haig is surrounded only
by his personal stan; the other officers
who comprise his field cabinet live in
sat chatting with q young stafr
officer in one OF the anterooms that led
on from the main hall His telephone
daor to @s rsKt o Dennf s sns lr
NAMED open after military secretary
had passed out
looked through tho doorway and
tho insignia of a field marshal on his
shoulder straps. He sat at a plain,
a,-t9pped desk. earnestly studying a
report. IN moment he Strengthened
said: '"''"
The chief will see you
now"
.v., fo %I,s,n my, ,s IL presence THAI.
profession. would have unconscioualy
iIm, Io Itself as military. Dignity.
n al mt =, an, and gracious reserve
seen masculine face SO handsome
and yet 30 strong. His hair and mus
taehe are fair, and his clear. almost
unkindly. His chest is broad and deep.
yet scarcely broad enough for the 70 vs.
OF service and other ribbons that plant
mass OF color against the background
Of khaki.
CONVENTIONAL DRAwING-R0oM
The room which Ia to-day the capital
Or British military sovereignty In
France is conventional drawing-room.
theless. and with all the working tools
Chief among them Is an immense reliaf
map of the lighting rome. 1t rests on
shars desk. Over this inert and I'M
crisis crossed with red lines. he has
T..
ON II is written the whole triumphant
story OF that great advance which
registered new glory for British
arms.
could not help thinking what a
great place In history that simple room
would have--how in yenrs to come It
the decisive phase of tho great war. SO
lar as land operations are concerned
We spoke Of many things-of America,
math OF the war. strange contrast that
II was to the business OF slaughter that
ragged around us.
musical He Is as sparing OF words as
he Is Of men.
b. Yet ct , his guile. mar at whose com
passion and noise. Is very human. One
Of the ironies OF this war Is that the
most inhuman of professions is directed
me what l thought OF tho work of the
armies In the field. l told him that,
after their efficiency. morale and splen-
impressed me most was the youth that
walked into death SO blithe and un-
An he said, with thrilling on
thusiasm;; war to-day is a young mans
game! 1t is war of youth, and 1t
takes youth to win!"
risen from the ranks It seemed to
strike responsive chord, for he said
eH IL Is very true. Every man In
this war has his chance: Enciency
counts above all other things. You
cannot afford to have friends"
ANALYSIS SHOWS HAIG
HAS AMAZING INSIGHT
As you analyze the Haig personality
you find that he has an amazing in
sight. real gift OF constructive fore
ea snac. His s,, spPrT;aisal Of The German
for yi STARS ag9 he wsnt to
n uSyo ne wrote Ions letter to Sir Evelyn
events of the present is little short Of
uncanny. a friend who saw that letter
mas summed 1t up as "one Of practical
p nsSn nad 81 ssa TS
future commander-in chief OF The Brit
ish armies in France was convinced
ehen OF the ineyitableness Of con-
strongly the urgent need Of prepared
would uproot all Europe.
ne had ample opportunity to i'm.
stan In India. and he had just begun
20 execute some of his striking ideas
OF framing as commander at AlderShot
in at the beginning, and he has been
on the firing line ever since In the
rack and agony OF those first fighting
months he saw the hideous harvest
unpreparedness reaps.
those T twe h ss1ee
f t Sistors i sns OF 1917
zine ,ha Intrepid array, by the way that
little English .army"-fiaig commanded
cavalry.
NE, From Z, Mons ts to xpres no wa. in the
tniek OF me oattle. never depressed,