New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-01

4 MEXICAN opinion is fed up with
~ criticism on the one hand and
camouflage, on the other. These
arc days when pessimism and optimism are
both poisons, and what we need is neither
of these, but the truth.
In his evidence before the Senate Gen
cral Bell informs US that the retreat Of the
British forces was due to prearrangcd plans.
winch were shown to him in Paris. The
gallant generals motive for putting it that
way was characteristic generosity to the
European armies, but his statement should
not be misunderstood. A terrible menace
was known to be developing against the
British lines. Obviously, the possibility of
retreat had to be considered Long before
the blow fell the idea was mooted in the
press. But this does not mean that retreat
was good thing. Don't let us deceive our
selves. London knows perfectly we'll the
grave event that has happened. We have
been forced back by overwhelming supe-
riorty of force against our desperate re-
sistance and with unprecedented loss
for the British in guns, material and pris-
oncrs.
a Missing Army
Again, the army of maneuvrc 1t is so
easy to lull ourselves to sleep with gossip
about the army of maneuvre For three
and half years I have heard this same
story precisely, Of vast reserves ready to
push the Germans back to Berlin. If there
be this army, we'll and good. | say frankly
that historians will then discuss the cues
ton whether more immediate help should
at Versailles to Field Marshal Haig. who
was confronted with by far the biggest task
of the war But l respectfully submit that
if ample reserves had been available the
Prime Minister of Great Britain would not
have broken all diplomatic canons and adj
dressed TO the American people an urgen-
message, appealing for instant help. The
position ! write is that the Germans
threaten Amiens, that they digging them
selves into territory recently won and are
moving up guns for fresh drive That
| say, is the situation. A counterstroke
may change it. God grant it be so.
Whose Blood 1t Is
For me it is enough that President Will
son approves the promotion of General
Foch to be gcneralissmo. General Foch
has also impressed Mr.. Lloyd George as
great leader Of men. May he prove
greater still! He will be loyalty assisted
by the British nation and the British army.
On diplomatic grounds it may now be adj
visable that the defence of Paris be intrust-
ed to French officer. But hope you will
allow me to explain to Americans why Brit
ish opinion has hestated over this matter.
1t is not national pride. We have lost
three-quartcrs of million dead, and all
we care about is to win the war We be-
lieve in close naval, military and economic
cooperation and have done what we could
to promote it. But arc aware from ex-
periencc that generals sometimes come in
for criticism. Wellington was criticised
Grant criticised. And we wish to avoid
the faintest possibility that criticism in
England may introduce the name of an
Allied commander. We accept the position,
and would far rather that French gen
cral led British troops than that n British
general led French troops Never in the
worlds history has any empire made the