The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-10

=.
formntisr fold 4us i hat G hateau--E hierry
was in tho hands OF the enemy and that
the Fifth French army was. retiring
south to the Seine.
The ideas underlying this concentra-
ton on their centre by the enemy look Us
if 1t was based on a totally wrong APP
probation o: our situation. Inc GeI
mans were ignorant of the. real strength
which was gathering north or Paris H.
the formation OF the Sixth French army.
They rcga r1cd the Bri !sh army MS prnc-
,ic;tlly crushed, and almost useless as
4 lighting force
Relying upon this they had no hcslta-
ton in leaving what they thouhEt were
tho remnants of the allied forces imrnH-
diatclv north and cast of tho PARIS 1orli-
locations 10 he dealt with by such OF lhe'r
own forces as were operating throuEh
! AmcnS and on their extreme rlEnI' me-
German higher command then dcc'ucu W
strike with Overwhelming force at the
allied centre south OF the Marine and 10
cut our armies in two.
The first necessity for the enemy was
quick decision by a great victory 10 pc
achieved at once. They were outinaee'-
inc their supplies: there was Russia u
be crushed and their eastern frontier 10
DG SccuTCQ. anu, luIlHCbr u
campaign was what they desired 10
avoid at all COSTS The desperate at
tempt was no sooner fairly launched
than the fatal error of ovcrconildencc
and the folly Of undertaking ones en-
cmy stared them in the face with all lts
lstupcndous consequences. as west OF 'a'c
Ourcu the country was seen to Uazc
along its whole length with the nrc ot
the French ISIS. whilst the British anu
Fifth French armies. now at bay, thFc"
the enemy back in confusion over li'c
Marine.
With their usual arrogance and POM
posity the Germans. ignoring the lac'
that it was their own negligence "h'ch
| had led them into a most dangerous
situation. claim that General Won MUCK
showed unusual skill in e1tricating thc
First German Army from the tolls.
After considering the subject very
! carefully and with thorough KNOW"
ledge of the situation and the ground l
have formed the opinion that Won kluck
manifested considerable hesitation ana
want of energy.
The rear section of the British Gencf-
al Staff had been established during tn'S
day at Mclum. on the Seine. The leau-
ing section remained with me at Mont
cert, which became my advanced hcao-
quarters.
Information which arrived during the
! 4th confirmed all our anticipations VI
the previous day, and. in the evening at
Melun. messages reached me from Joi1rc
that he was formulating his new plan
| had spent most of the day ut ao-
vanced headquarters. and had passed
some time with Haig near Coulommlcrs'
1t seemed likely, that the First corps
might be attacked and Haig had rctlrco
| his Second division In line with INC
First and was preparing for any cVcntu-
ality. I convcrsed with him for con-
siderable time on the state of his troops,
about which he expressed some anxiety.
He said they stood in urgent need OF
rest and refltment. but as usual he was
full Of fight and ready TO meet any en-
Urgency.
/ Whilst I was with Haig. Smith-Dorri-
en- arrived.
The British army had. indeed. suffered
severely, and had performed hercu!cah
task in reaching it's present posllion III
such fighting form. and its morale hao
withstood the ordeal.
think the Germans we're prooaoiy
| justified in doubling our offensive pow
ers, but the thing they forgot was the
nation from which we spring.
On my return to Mclun on this nigh
(Scptcmber ~ found that Murray had
received a visit from General Gallleni'
Governor Of Paris. who had communicate
ed JoHre's plans for my consideration.
He wished the Sixth French army 10
! rccross the Marine between LaGny ana
Mcaux on Sunday. the 9Th! and then 70
take up II position facing east toward
the Ourcq. He asked me to fill up the
SPACE between the right Of the Skin
army Ton the Marnc) and the left OF
the Fifth army (ncar Provins) he then
intended the whole Of the allied armies
TO advance east northeast and north
and endeavor to crush the German
cor7s operating between us.
General Franchct dEspcry had now
superseded Lanrezac in command Of the
Fifth army. ! had sent Wilson tSub-
chief of the general stafr) 10 him on the
previous day, and tonight nc returned
and told inc that d Espery was making
| similar plans.
must say a word here with regard
to Henry Wilson. l have known him for
| many years. He possesses a striking
personality In appearance very tall and
spare his frame is Surmounted by lace
| In which one secs great intelligence ana
power. combined with very kindly and
| humorous expression. In locking al MN
| il is impossible not to, realize the
| strength of will and character which he
undoubtedly possesses. His appearance
does not belle him: he is all that he
looks Not one Of his many friends has
| had a more thorough experience OF him
than I, both in SUNSHINE and shadow"
| Lou.evor ria rk rho SURROUNDINGS, however
desperate the situation. however gloomy
the prospect, his fine humor. splendid
courage and high spirit arc always the
| same.
In those many weary. anxious days We
passed together during my term Of COM
mand in France cherish most grateful
remembrance Of his unfailing and In
| valuable help, as we'll as Of his sincere,
| loyal and whole hearted support or
iron nerve and frame. nothing seemed
to tire him. Having passed through the