ECHOES OF THE WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3470, 14 September 1920, Page 24

ECHOES OF THE WAR

(By Cable.) GERMAN VICTORY NARROWLY MISSED. LONDON, September 6. Captain P. Wright, late assistant secretary to the Supreme War Council, is publishing a series of articles in Blackwood's Magazine disclosing, the innermost history of the most critical days of the war. He says: " The exact distance withi" which Germany came may be put in yards. There were 12,000 yards' separating them from Amiens in 19i8. When they wero racing from the St. Quentin-Amiens road, with their artillery and supplies left far behind, suffering from hunger and with little strength left, they had victory within their grasp. The Supreme War Council, held at Doullens (Haig's headquarters, between Arras and Amiens), was not sanguine of saving the position Marshal Foch outlined plans for abandoning Paris, and Earl Haig outlined plans in the event of the British armies being driven towards the coast." Captain Wright gives great credit to Marshal Foch for hurriedly organising reserves on a wooded hill in Ccmpiegne. He also quotes a letter written by Earl Haig on March 3 refusing, to contribute British divisions towards the Allied reserves, which might have saved General Gough's army. Another letter from Earl Haig on March 24 appealed for the appointment of Generalissimo of the Allied Forces. VICTORY OF THE MARNE. PARIS, September 5. • The victory of the Marne was commemorated at Meaux. Marshal Foch, Marshal Joffre, General Petain, and M. Millerand were present. M. .Millerand exlolled the heroism of the French and British troops, and said that the victoryhad incontestably saved France and the world. THE EX-KAISER'S LONGINGS. BERLIN, September 5. The ex-Kaiser telegraphed to the National Association of G erman Officersthanking them for their loyal remembrances of the anniversary of the battle of Tannenberg, adding : "I would to God the Fatherland might have another Tanneftberg," and signing himself " Wilhelm Emperor Rex." „