The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-10-10
FALSE REPORT OF DISASTER

UT A1A~
 On our arEval, news came through that the First A. c. had been routed, and that the relics of this corps were arriving in Montowo. Such news was difficult to believe. A telephone in quiry to the railway commandant there elucidated the fact that troops Of the First Army Corps were collecting at that point but later on it appeared that it was a question of only one battalion that had found itself in very tlgnt corner and given way
 Another rather alarming discovery was a number of supply columns nur- riedly retreatIng through Lobau
 general bas much to bear and needs strong nerves. The civilian is 100 n- clined to think that is only like the working out of an arfthmetical pro- blem with given numbers. It is any thing but that. On both sides 1t is a case of wrestling with powerful, un- known physical and psychological forces, n struggle which inferiority in numbers makes all the more difficult. 1t means working with men of varying force of character and with their own views. The only quantity that IS known and constant Is the will of the leader.
 All those who criticize the disposi- tions of a general ought first to study military history. unless they have themselves taken part in a war in a position of command. I should like to see such people compelled to conduct a battle themselves. yThey would be overwhelmed by the greatness of their task. and when they realized the ob- scurity of the situation, and the ex- acting nature of the enormous de- mands made on them, they would doubt less be more modest. c
 AWESOME TO BE A COMMANDER
 Only the head of the government, or statesman who decides on war, 1 shoulders the same or a bigger burden l of responsibility than that of the Com mander-in- Chief. In his case it is a question of one great decision only, but the commander of an army iS faced with decisions daily and hourly. He 1 is continuously responsible for the wei l fare of many hundred thousands of per | sons, even of nations. For n soldier 1 there is nothing greater. but at the same time more awesOme and respOnsi- ble than to find himself at the head of 1 an army or the entire armed force ot his country.
 Late at night we received news in 1 Lobau that the First A. c. had reached ] Wartenburg. The Russian Sixth Corps was in full retreat before the 17th Army Corps beyond Ortelsburg, and was again defeated south of Bischofs- burg. Smaller forces were sent in pur- l suit, while the main body of the 17th A. c. bivouacked at and to the north | of Mensguth on the evening of the 27th.
 1 (This movement put the 17th Corps full on the rear of the main Russian forces around Allenstein. The gap be- hind the Russian armies was now only about 40 miles wde.)
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 The next instaiIment General Luden dOrff tells of the complete trapping o } the army of SamsOnoff mad his pre-
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 army, which lay idle while it's fellow
 were destroyed.
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