The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-24
Liberal Viewpoint
DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

THE death of General Alexander Won Kluck
i brings TO mind the major blunder of the
World war just twenty years ago. Won Kluck had
victory within his grasp-a victory which would
| almost certainly have meant German triumph
in the war-when it was snatched from him by
bungling and incompetent meddling on the part
OF the German high command.
The Germans had counted on winning the
war through a quick and smashing victory
against France, after which the German armies
were TO be withdrawn and hurled against Russia.
This was the Schlieffen plan, perfected in
1905 and Immediately thereafter. In 1928, it
finally was decided to go through Belgium, what
ever the diplomatic and military COST since it
was believed impossible to crush Russia in the
east even if most Of the German forces were
hurled against the Slavic giant. Secretary OF
state Won Jagow, had argued against this on the
ground that it might bring England into the
war, but he was overruled.
The Schlieffen plan worked perfectly in 1914,
in spite of a blunder by General Won Bulow,
which prevented the annihilation Of the French
armies later in August, 1914. General Won Kluck
would have taken Paris and fatally crippled both
the French and English armies had it not been
for an order to retreat issued from German
headquarters. With Hindenburg smashing the
Russian in the east the war would have been
Germanys before snowfall.
THE primary responsibility was that of the
kaiser. He retained Won Moltke as chief-of-
staff against the advice of his ableSt military
men. This was due in part to intoxication over
a name and partly to the kaiser's personal 10y
atty to Won Moltke. The latter was the nephew
of the great field marshal who had won the
Franco-Prussian war Won Moltke was name
to cOniure with in Germany, though the younger
Won Motke had given no proof whatever of
possessing any of the military genius of his illus
trious uncle
In the summer of 1914, his physical condi-
ton, if nothing else, would have dictated his
honorable retirement even before war broke out.
He had taken the cure" at the health baths
three times that spring. Admiral Won Tirptz
once told me that during the consultations of
the crisis of July, 1914, Won Moltke could not get
out of his chair unassiSted. Yet it this medi-
OGRE soldier and sick man to whom the kaiser
entrusted the destinies of Germany in 1914
This is the chief responsibility of the kaiser
for losing the war. When he failed to put an
able and aggressive general in control of the
German armies, he headed himself toward
Doom.
NTOLTKE was too feeble and confused to
1V1 keep up with the rapidly moving events Of
the surprising German advance. Alarmed lest
disaster might follow too rapid and extensive
| progress of the German armies in France, he
sent out Lieutenant Colonel HentSch as his rep
resentative with plenary powers to order a re-
treat if he deemed it desirable.
| Hentsch never had seen service on the field
| of battle. He became confused and, terrified at
the sight of carnage, ordered retreat when the
Germans might have advanced into Paris al
most unoppoSed
The so-called 'taxicab army already had
been repulsed. The French were in flight and
the British had prepared to recall their army
and transport it to Bordeaux. The famous
first battle Of the Marine was won for France,
not by Joffre or the taXicab army, but by the
kaiser, Won NIoltke and HentSch
1t is pure conjecture as to what the world
would be like if Won Kluck had kept on going
west and Germany had won the war. German
n1ilitarism would have been indicated and would
have been in the saddle. Perhaps a coalition
would have been formed against it and another
bloody war waged ere this. 1t is doubtful, how
ever if things would have been much worse than
they are now in Europe.
The calamity of a smashing German victory
was averted by the incompetence of Won Noltke,
but on it's heels came the calamity with which
we have to reckon bitterly today, the knock
out blow" Of the allies the Treaty of Versailles
and the European anarchy and FasciSm, which
menaces us twenty years after Won Kluck's hand
was STAYED By the German high command.