HAIG’S SECRETS

Evening Star, Issue 22194, 23 November 1935, Page 9

HAIG’S SECRETS

CRITICISM OF SIR J. FRENCH IN HEW BOOK WAR DIARY REVELATIONS The first volume of Mr Duff Cooper’s biography of the late Fielcl-mnrslial Dad linin' was published on October o. Mr DufUCoopor had access io documents in the possession of Dari Daig s executors, and the diaries the famous soldier kept during the war. These reveal in a startling manner the great anxiety he felt when on; John French was Coinmander-in-CJnet of the British Force in France. • Field-marshal Earl Haig’s lack of confidence in Sir John French is made fully evident from the beginning, tor on August 11, 1914, he wrote in his diary:— “In my own heart I know that French is quite unfit for this great command at a time of crisis in our nation’s history “ His (French’s) military, ideas often shocked me when I was his Chief of Staff during the South African War. ... ' “ However, I am determined to behave as I did in the South African War —namely, to be thoroughly loyal and do my duty as a subordinate should, trying all the time to see Sir John’s good qualities and not his weak ones.” It was the Battle of Loos that brought about the complete break between French and Haig. RESERVES’ FAILURE. On October 9, 1915, Lord Haldane visited Haig in France and asked for his views on the question of reserves. Haig wrote in his diary:— “He said) that feelings were so strong on the subject in England that he had come to France to help in arriving at the truth. I gave him all the facts. The main criticism, to my mind, is that the reserves were not at hand when wanted.” Haig was very bitter when the reserves were not available at Loos. He had an interview with French on September 28, 1915, the day he decided to press the attack no further, but to consolidate the positions that had been gained. His diary entry started . “ Sir John French . . . seemed tired of the war, and said that in his opinion wo ought to take the first opportunity of concluding peace, otherwise England would be ruined. I could not agree, but said we cannot make peace till the German military power is beaten.” The following day Haig wrote to Kitchener complaining that the reserves had not been available when they were needed. “ I think it right that you should know how the lessons which have been learnt in the war at such a cost have been neglected. We were in a position to make this the turning point - in the war.” REFERENCES TO L.G. References to Mr Lloyd' George are contained in the volume. On returning from Fiance in September, 1916, while the Battle of the Somme was still raging, Mr Lloyd George wrote to Haig:— “ I can say, on behalf of my colleagues in the Cabinet, as well as for myself, that the heartening news of the last few days has confirmed qur anticipations and hopes that the tide has now definitely turned in' our favour. “ I congratulate you ' most warmly on the skill with which your plans were laid, and on the imperturbable bravery of your troops. Such a combination augurs well for further successes, though I realise the difficulties that have to be faced and overcome.” Mr Duff Cooper comments:—“Such praise and appreciation come strangely from one who has written of ‘ the horrible and futile carnage of the Somme,’ and has maintained that he was opposed to it from the first. “ Oddly enough, even at the time the words were uttered, they failed to convince the man to whom they were addressed of their author’s sincerity.” Haig’s second impressions of Mr Lloyd George wese not favourable. He wrote that he had “ no great opinion of L.G. as a man or leader. He seems to me to be so flighty—makes plans and is always changing them and his mind.”

“ THESE AUTHORITIES OF OURS.” In October, 1916, General French was sent over to France to report on French artillery and French tactics. Haig wrote in his diary:— “ How unnecessarily difficult these authorities of ours at home seem to make things Jor me, struggling to do my best against the enemy. If Lloyd George wishes to know about French guns and their tactics he should ask me. But ho had already got my reasoned opinion in the matter of guns, and doubtless wants another opinion different from mine.” Mr Duff Cooper’s comment is;— “ The motive of the mission was obvious. Lloyd George wanted material which would enable him to get rid of Haig. Who ■would be more comgetent to collect it than the man whom laig had supplanted?” Mr Duff Cooper also says:—■ “On September 17 Foch came to visit Haig. Afterwards L, G., using Lord Reading as interpreter, had a private talk with Foch. Ho began by saying that ho was a British Minister, and as such ho considered that he had a right to be told the truth. He wished to know why the British, who gained no more ground than tho French, if as much, had suffered such heavy casualties, “ Foch replied that tho French infantry had learned their lesson in 1914, and were now careful in theii advances. He often wished that they were not so well instructed. Ho would then have advanced much further and more quickly. . . . L. G. also asked his opinion as to the ability of the British generals. Foch said L. G. was sufficiently patriotic not to criticise the British Commander-in-Chief, but he did not speak with confidence of the other British generals as a whole. Foch’s reply was that he had no means of forming ah opinion. “ Unless I had been told of this conversation personally by General Foch 1 would not have believed that a British Minister could have been so nngentlemanly as to go to a foreigner and put such questions regarding Ins own subordinates.” INTERVIEW WITH JOFFRE. It was during the Battle of tho Somme that Haig had his celebrated interview with Jolfre. Joffre wanted him to take Thiepval Hill. Haig gave reasons for pressing his attack on Longneval. Haig wrote:— “ At this, Genera] Jolfre exploded in a lit of rage. Ho could not ‘ approve of it.’ He ‘ ordered me to attack Thiepval and Pozieres,.’ ‘ H I attacked LonguevaTl would be beaten, ’

etc., etc. I waited calmly till he had finished. His breast heaved and his face Hushed. The truth is the poor man cannot argue, nor can he easily read a man. lint to-day I had a raised model of the ground before us. “ When JolTre got out of breath I quietly explained what my positoin is relatively to him as the ‘ Generalissimo.’ lam solely responsible to the British Government for the action of

the British Army; and I had approved the plan, and must modify it to suit the changing situation as the fight progresses. 1 was most polite. Joffre saw that he had made a mistake and tried to cajole me. . . . “ 1 soothed old Joffre down, and he seemed ashamed of his outburst, and 1 sent him and I'och Jo Amiens. All present at the interview felt ashamed of Joifre.”