The next day—September 14th—Sir John French attacked in force in
order to find out It was shown that a very solid resistance indeed was intended, but nevertheless Sir Douglas Haig tooleaction of "so skilful, bold, and decisive a character" that he gained positions which enabled the British to remain on the north bank "for more than three weeks of very severe fighting." Seldom has an officer received more praise than
Sir John French bestows on Sir Douglas Haig. We wish we had space to record some of the magnificent episodes of warfare which are mentioned, but we must content ourselves with saying that these diversified and conferred distinction on the daily fighting in which the attempts of the Germans to break through were repulsed. On September 28th the last great German attempt failed, and thereafter the enemy'■ efforts on the Aisne died away, and the centre of interest has since moved much further to the north. It would be impossible to read despatches which, for all their modesty and condensa- tion, are more likely to cheer up the downhearted. Any one who believes that in the end the British soldier will lower his sword to the German must really have a heart of lead.
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