THE MARNE BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 92, 15 October 1927, Page 11

THE MARNE BATTLE

CAUSE OF DEFEAT

YON MOLTKEJ'S ILL-HEALTH

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, 19th August. According to a Berlin correspondent, tho German defeat in the Battle of the Marne is now largely attributed to the ill-health of General yon Moltke, and certain officers of his staff, by Professor Bircher, a well-known- Swiss' surgeon, who is an officer himself and is considered an expert in military affairs. Professor Bircher's recent book, "The Crisis in the Marne Battle," is.now causing considerable comment in Germany. It is reviewed in the last number of the "Deutsche Medizihinsche Wochenschrift" by Professor Kochs, who was formerly chief surgeon to the German General Staff. When war was declared General yon Moltke was taking the cure in Karlsbad, trying to find relief from .hardening of the arteries. When he went to" command his armies yon Moltke was actually suffering from degeneration of the cardiac muscles as well as inflammation of tho . cardiac ! valvee.. ■ This physical condition, according to Professor Bircher, had a tremendous influence on his general ability and mental alertness. While Joffre.was right with his troops yon Moltke remained 200 milea behind the front, and did not come up to the front lines until 11th September, after the defeat. Six months later yon Moltke died of paralysis of the heart caused directly, by over-fjsertion. ".._."" ' i