Omaha daily bee., 1919-06-21
General French's Memoirs
London Times Synopsis of British Com
manders Review of War Experiences.

III.
So badly shaken was the British army BY
this unnecessary battle lie Cateaul that Lord
French was presently contending for delay
against great deal of pressure from the French
who were anxious to stand. This pressure was
seconded by Lord Kitchener In resisting a
battle before his army was sufficiently recov-
cred Lord French believed he was acting in the
spirit of Lord Kitchener's instructions. Lord
Kitchener had written that the numerical
strength of the British army and its contingen,
reinforcement was Strictly limited" and that
it was necessary to exercise the greatest care
not to incur unnecessary losses and wastage
When therefore Lord Kitchener came over to
France and supported the French arguments for
battle Lord French was the more indignant
The whole of this passage must be quoted
Lord Kitchener arrived on this occasion in
the uniform of field marshal, and from the
outset OF his conversation assumed the air of a
comman der-ln-chief, and announced his inten-
ton of taking the field and inspecting the
troops. On hearing this the British ambassador
(Sir Francis, now Lord Bertie) at once en-
phatically objected, and drafted telegram to
the foreign secretary stating clearly and un-
mistakenly his views and demanding instruc-
tons He gave this dispatch to Lord Kitchener
to read The latter then asked for nv opinion,
and said my views on the subject conceded
entirely with those of the ambassador After
some discussion, the secretary of state decided
to abandon his intention, and the telegram to
Sir Edward Grey was not sent. In the con-
versation which followed between us all, Lord
Kitchener appeared to take grave exception to
certain views which I expressed as to the ex-
pediency of leaving the direction of the opera
tons in the field in the hands of the military
chiefs in command in the field He abruptly
closed the discussion, and requested me to &C
company him for private interview in another
room.
When we were alone he commenced by en-
tering strong, objection to the tone I as
sumed Upon this l told him all that was in
my mind. l said that the command of the
British forces in France had been entrusted
to ME by his majesty's government; that alone
was responsible to them for whatever hap
pened and that on French soil my authority as
regards the British army must be supreme until
was legally superseded by the same authority
which had put that responsibility upon me- I
further remarked that Lord Kitchener's pres
ence in France in the character of soldier
could have no other effect than to weaken. and
prejudice my position in the eyes of the French
and my own countrymen alike. I reminded him
of our service in the field together some 10
years before, and told him that I valued highly
his advice and assistance, which | would gladly
accept as such, but that l would not tolerate
any interference with my executive command
and authority so long as his majesty's govern
ment chose to retain me in my present position
| think he began to realize my difficulties, and
we finally came to amicable understanding
important messages and kilograms were
then brought me, and | told Lord Kitchener
that it was impossible for me to absent myself
any longer from my headquarters, whittier I
at once repaired with all possible speed. 1t is
very difficult for any but soldiers to understand
the real bearing and significance of this Paris
incident. If the confidence of the troops in
their courage, endurance, and above all, faith
gree, or if his influence, power. and authority
are prejudiced by any display OF distrust in his
ability to conduct operations, however slight
the indications of such distrust may be, the
effect reacts instantly throughout the whole
army. This is more than ever true with troops
which, at the moment in question: were being
subjected to great and severe demands upon
their courage, endurance, and, above all, faith
in their leaders. Then again there was the
effect which might have been produced on the
French. Ministers and generals were present
and witnessed Lord Kitchener's apparent as
sertion of his right to exercise the power and
authority of a communicating chief in the field.
Fortunately, the incident terminated in man
ner which led to no regrettable publicity.
Lord Kitchener realized his mistake, and left
Paris that night"