GENERAL VON KLUCK'S TRIBUTE TO GENERAL GALLIENI.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
Sra,—In these days wo have to get our bulletins from Germany in a more roundabout way than her bullets, and it will doubtless interest a great many readers of the Spectator to read the following note, which is contributed to the New York Nation by its Paris correspondent, Mr. Stoddard Dewey. After describing the moving spectacle of a mighty nation's mourning for her dead General, he says :- " The German army, seemingly invincible, sweeping the Trenzh forces before it, was at the gates of Paris in that drear Septeml et of 1914 when General Gallieni with quick decision attacked at the Ourcq and began the victory of the Marne. In these days of his death, the confession of the German general in command, von Kluck, has come to formulate clearly what every inhabitant of Paris at the time and every French citizen ever since has felt in his heart of hearts : ' I knew that General Manoury's army, as my acquaintance with it informed me, was incapable of keeping up the fight. On the other hand, I could not deviate from the principle—taught always in all military schools—that a general commanding a fortified place or precinct has no right to take the offensive, unless against an enemy threatening him from the front. Doubtless, only one general was in existence to risk the gravest responsibilities by disregarding this principle. It was my misfortune that Gallieni was that general'
In the French consciousness, the formula is long since under way of completion : Gallieni saved Paris and Paris saved France—and France saves Europe. The funeral has rooted more deeply than ever in the people's heart the confidence that such shall be the end of this war."
—I am, Sir, 14c., Surrey Lodge, Denmark Hill, S.E.
R. B. MARSTON.
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