The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-09
Marshal French. Commander in Chief
of The ENGLISH Forces:

| MarSnal rcncn. COMMANDER IN SHIeL
of the English Forces:
| Dear Marshall have the honor TO
send you my thanks for the proposals
that you have been kind enough to sub
nit to the government OF the republic
relative to he cooperation OF the Eng
llIsh army and which have been COM
municated TO me.
The present situation of the Fifth
Army does not permit that army TO as.
sure the English army sufficiently
cfticacious support on the right.
Because Of the events which have
taken place since two o'clock I do not
think II possible at present 10 expect
general manoeuvrc on the Marine with
all Of our forces. But think that the
corporation Of he English army in the
defence Of Paris Is the only one which
can give an advantageous result in the
conditions explained in the letter here
with which have addressed to the
Minister of War and Of which have the
honor 10 send you a copy.
| Kindly accept. Marshal. the express
! sion OF my high consideration and my
sentiments OF cordial comradeship."
replied as follows
"Montcert. Sept. 3. 1914. 1s Noon.
ITO the Commandments from
Field Marshal Sir John French,
mmandcr-in-Chief British Forces:
Dear General-I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt Of your very
kind and cordial letter Of September ?
t3322).
II felt some considerable hesitation
in putting forward my views as To the
general trend Of the future operations,
Ialt 81 F0r hn
kind and friendly support which you
have accorded TO my expression Of opin-
ion.
Il have now received your instruction
No. 4 and your Note pour les Com
l completely and clearly understand
your plans and the part you desire me
TO take in carrying them out.
You may rely on my most cordial CO.
operation in every respect. -
MY troops have very much appreci-
ated the kind consideration you have
shown them in sending so many decor
atoms for distribution.
Il touch with some diffdence' on less
agreeable features OF this memorable
discussion in Paris.
Lord Kitchener arrived on this oc-
caslon in the Uniform Of a Field Mar
shall. and from the outset Of his CONVEX
sation assumed the air Of a Commander
in-Chef and announced his intention or
taking the field and inspecting the
troops.
On hearing this. the british Am
bassador (Sr Francis. now Lord. Bertic)
AT once cmphatically objected and draft
cd n telegram 10 the Foreign Secretary
stating clearly and Enthusiastically his
views and demanding instructions. He
gave this despatch TO Lord Kitchener TO
read. The latter then asked for my
opinion and said my Views on the sub
jcct conceded entirely with those OF the
Ambassador.
After some discussion tho Secretary
of State decided to abandon his intention
and the telegram 10 Sir Edward Grey
WIS not sent. In the conversation
which followed between US all. Lord
Kitchener appeared 10 take grave. ex'
ce2tion to certain views which I e1'
pressed es to the %expcdIency Of leaving
the direction of the operations In the
neld in the hands Of the military chefs
In command in the field.
Flo abrup pity closed the discussion AND
requested me to accompany him Tor
assumed. Upon this told him all that
private Interview In another room.
When we were alone he commenced by
entering a strong objection To the tone !
was upon my mind l said that the COM
mand OF the British forces In France
had been entrusted to me- by His Mnjea-
TVS government; that I alone was IT.
sponsiblc to them for whatever happen
ed. and that on French soil my authority
IA regards the British army must be
supreme until I was legally superseded
by the same authority which had put
that responsibility upon me. I further
remarked that Lord Rtchencrs presence
in France In the character Of a soldier
could have no other effect than to weak
~ and prejudice my position In the eyes
of the French and my own countrymen