FRENCH AND JOFFRE

Evening Star, Issue 17329, 17 April 1920, Page 6

FRENCH AND JOFFRE

THE 9-lONS RETREAT. KITCHENER’S INTERVENTION. LONDON, April 14. The ‘Evening Standard,’ in giving the full text of the telegrams which passed between Lord Kitchener and Sir John French at tho end of August, 1914. says that it was a rude shock to Lord Kitchener to Irani indirectly of General .French’s decision to make "a definite and prolonged retreat of eight days’ march duo south. Lord Kitchener anxiously inquired ns to Sir John French’s meaning. Sir John French replied that he had let Marshal Jofire know 7 plainly that it was impossible tor the Biitis’ii to remain in the front line now that Marshal JofTie had begun a retirement.

Lord Kitchener later received a gloomy letter from Sir John French, who sa’d ; “My confidence in the ability of the leaders of the French army is fast waning. Ibis is the real reason for the decision to move Die British So far back. I_ feel most strongly the absolute necessity for retaining complete independence i-f power to retire on a base, when necessary.”

Lord Kitchener regarded tho last proposal ns calamitous, and considered that an independent retreat of such magnitude yeas not only a violation of the spirit of the Entente, but was a negation of the policy enjoined by the British Government.

He told the Cabinet, which was hastily summoned, that a retirement behind the Seine might mean thi loss of the war. The _ Cabinet instructed him to telegraph to Sir John French that he expectecF him as far as possible to conform to Marshal JniTre a plans. Sir John French’s renly arrived at midnight, and only reiterated nis reasons for an independent retirement Lord Kitchener consulted Mr Asquith personally, and roused Sir Edward Grey from sleep to inform him that he was proceeding to Franco in a destroyer to consult Fir John French.

The historic interview at .Paris followed Lord Kitchener had no misgivings about his mission. As Secretary "of State he bud to r-onvey instructions iv*nrdin'r rim Government policy, and he fSd no" idea ol Jt rt ' w, . th t F‘ c military policy. J lie mihiair situation had ah’eadv seneibly improved, and Sir John French und/ytook to do all the Government had asl/.-d, and tho episode wind. Lord Kitchener always regarded as the most preg-nant-in the war was happily ended