THE MARNE RETREAT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 193, 10 May 1919, Page 7

THE MARNE RETREAT

EXTRACT FROM LORD FRENCH'S BOOK

VIOLENT SOLICITATIONS

REJECTED

By Toleerapli—Press Association—Conyright ,

London, May S. The "Daily Telegraph" publishes Ihfl following/extract from Lord French's book: "On August 31, 1911, JofTre's demand Hint the British should etniid and fight was urgently repealed, and was backed by messages from 'President Poinciire and the British Government; yet simultaneously the 'Fifth French Army was being thrown back, widening the gap, while Lord Kitchener wa6 assuring the Homo Government that our losses were small and . the deficiences were being iiiado good. Neither on this nor on several subsequent days did one man, liorse, or gun reach, me." He adds: "I •profoundly believe that if I had yielded to these violent solicitations, the whole of" tlio 1 'Allied" Army would have been thrown buck over the Marne nnd Paris vould linvc fallen."—Renter.

LORD KITCHENER'S VISIT TO PARIS

TO INSIST ON ARRESTING : THE .. .RETREAT. . (Rec. if«y 10, 1.5 a.m.)

London, Mn.v 6. 1.0r.d- French, continuing his narrative of the'.M'ons relrcat, dwells 011 the difficulties with Lord Kitchener.'who arrived ill- Paris in the uniform of a fieldmarshal, and from tho outset assumed the air of Commander-in-Chief, announcing his -intention of taking the field and inspecting the troops. Lord Trench says that ,t.!ie,;British .Ambassador.. Lord Bertie, 'supported him in protesting against Lord Kitchener's attitude, and after an interview,' in which Lord French told tord Kitchener that lie wonld not tolerate interference with his executive com-mand-.'lliey'reached an amicable Tinderstaiuling. '-"Lord' Kitchener realised his mistake, and left Paris that night. Lord French emphasises the danger of undue interference by the -Home Government with n commander in the field, and says the utmost pressure was brought to bear on him to make a stand, exposing the British -Army to the greatest- danger of annihilation.' Lord, French Kitchener "eanio to Pnris~witli''no other object than, to. insist, on arresting the retreat. •It'-was .difficult to resist 6>ich pressure., but fortunately I fras able to do fio.'^lleutoK'v'