FRANK CONFESSION OF FAILURES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2417, 24 March 1915, Page 5

FRANK CONFESSION OF FAILURES

ERRORS OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR London, March 22. The first instalment of "A Retrospect of the War" , has been compiled from official French sources. It frankly admits that tho Northern campaign in France in its early stages was characterised by individual and collective failures, rash deployments, precipitate retreats, \prematuro waste of men, and inadequacy of certain troops and leaders, whereby the enemy turned difficult terrain (fighting ground) to account and secured a maximum profit. General Joffre, it is stated, thereafter concentrated his energies on a strategic retirement, and September was fixed as the limit of the retreat and the time suitable for an offensive. On September 5 the desired situation existed, and that night General Joffre sent this message to all the armies: "The hour has come. Advance at all costs. Die where Jou stand rather than give way.' l BRITAIN'S ARMY OF THREE MILLION MEN. FIRST MILLION* NEARLY READY. London, March 22. The military correspondent of "The Times" says, regarding tho working up of the British Army to a three million men standard: "We shall have a million at the decisive theatre before tho campaign is much older. This is 110 times the number that fought at Agincourt, 33 times the number of those in the Crimean War, and 29 times of those in the Peninsular War, 14 of those in the second Afghan War, and four of thoso in the South African War."—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) GERMANY HAS FAILED BADLY. (Rec. March 23, 5.30 p.m.) London, March 22. The "Times's" military correspondent writes: —"The German Eastern offensive has failed badly, and the losses are immense. The Russian and Servian armies are still formidable, and unbroken: the Turk has done no good, and trembles for his capital. There has been no decision in Germany's favour, and her burdens are too heavy for her shoulders. Her sea schemes have failed, her flag has been driven from the ocean, and will shortly vanish from all her-colonies." —("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

GERMAN NAVAL LOSSES. (Rec. March 23, 9 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 23. During the discussion on the Naval Estimates in the Reichstag it was stated that Germany's naval losses had already been made good.