THE VICTOR OF THE MARNE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 3, 5 January 1931, Page 6

THE VICTOR OF THE MARNE.

Marslial Joffre's claim to fame stands up like an isolated mountain peak. He may not have been a military genius; he may not have been Foch's equal as a commander; but he did win the most decisive battle of the greatest war in history. That is his claim upon the gratitude of the world, and it is sufficient for any man. Only those who were sufficiently old in August-September, 1914, to understand what vast issues were at stake as the German armies advanced, can realise what an appalling strain was placed upon the Allied world in those days. The responsibility weighing upon the Allied Commanders could not have been heavier, and the hearts of civilians were burdened with an intolerable anxiety. The French opening plan of campaign, failed disastrously at the first touch with reality; the offensive was undertaken rashly and the strength of the Gem an thrust through Belgium was gravely under-estimated; Joffre, of course, must bear his share of responsibility for mistakes that well-nigh brought the whole Allied cause to ruin. The British Commander, we know, gave way to something very like despair. It was the greatness of Joffre that he never lost hope, and that with patient skill and indomitable courage he set about retrieving the situation. Bringing his armies back and back, heedless of the political consequences of giving ground, coplly surveying the vast battleground and keeping in touch with the whole line, he bided his time,' and then struck back. <Only a gifted soldier who was also a man of the strongest character could have done this. The battle of the Marne was decisive, in that it killed the German hopes of a speedy victory, which in all the circumstances was the only victory possible for Germany. His subordinates helped him greatly, but the main credit for the victory is his. Democracy and Civilisation itself salute his memory. . • ,