FRENCH AND GERMAN STRATEGY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 186, 6 August 1914, Page 4

FRENCH AND GERMAN STRATEGY.

It may perhaps be premature to venture on a. discussion of ("Jermany's plans and future military operations al this early period of the war. But the initial steps in the campaign on Germany's side —the attempt to break into France . through Luxembourg and Melgiiun—iudi- | cate clearly enough the nature of the lirst stage of thei-e operations. The. right wing of the German army of invasion is lo move through tbe Belgian Ardennes, passing Liege, while the loft wing advances by Treves and Thionvill-. The two fok-os will ultimately concentrate on tbe Aisbe. and by that time they will be half way between the lidgian border and Paris. We may remark in passing that the rapidity of the advance of the right wing and the strength which it will ultimately develop will depend upon what happens at Liege. This city is. at the present time, one of the very strongest fortified posts in Europe. and if resolutely held by the Belgians it can seriously delay the German advance. unlc<*> llioy can afford to leave a very largo force behind j to ""musk'" tho fortress, and protect their j communications. But, meantime, what I of tho French army! To tlr.s question I tlie military strategists in France and England who have considered seriously the possibilities of a German invasion by way of Belgium, give a practically tin-1 iinimous answer.- The best polioy for the j French forces'is to fall brick before th* | Germans, fighting . only defensive rear- i guard actions. Time will thus be given for England to do what Vhe car. by Se» ] and land; and the further the Germans hdvanco from their own border the more, difficult will it bo for them to protect themselves from attacks on (lank and roar. "To obtain her primary objectives," says one eminent authority, "Germany is prepared to ! waste a large number of men. Tito cost I of men will not prevent her straining every 6fTbrt to attain her ends. (If the French pour over into Belgium to moot , her half way, they Will be playing her I game, and equalising the ohaneci- of' loss." Trance has evidently taken these I warnings to heart, and eho is naturally i anxious to avoid the reckless preeipita-1 tion which threw away the chance of | Success in. the great war of 1870-I.' H they draw the German forces on toward Paris before making a resolute vdand, and- save their magnificent cavalry for the crisis of the struggle, they will probably be able to administer a decisive cheek to tho Germans at a moment when Germany's only hope lies in a rapid and triumphant onward march. 'In any ease they will bo able to reflect that they bare not. a«.-in, the " terrible year * of %n"?T>ownffllTf--given colour to the whole war by an initial Wttnder due to military pride."