THE RETREAT FROM MONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 194, 12 May 1919, Page 5

THE RETREAT FROM MONS

■ a LORD FRENCH'S PROFOUND BELIEF THAT HIS ACTION SAVED PARIS By TelocraDh-Press Associn tion-OopyriitM (Rec. May 11, 6.5 p.m.) London, May 5. Lord French, continuing" the story of! tlio retreat from Blons in the "Daily Telegraph," ehows that the Fifth French' Army commenced the retreat from' the Sambro twenty-four hours before he (Lord French) received the official intimation: that General Joffre's offensive had been abandoned. Lord French save: "ilyduty, to the country demanded that 1 should not risk a recurrence, so, J wrote to Lord; Kitchener urging tlio necessity of. my; retaining complete independence of acj Hon. General Joifre, M. Poincare, Lord Kitchener, and the British Government . all sent messages urgently repeating the demand that 1 should stand: and tight, yet General Lanrezac was still throw ing back the left flank'of the Fifth Army) widening the gap between the French ana the British. 1 retain the most profound belief that if I had yielded to these violent solicitations the whole of the Allied Army would have been thrown back in disorder over the Marne' and that Paris would have fallen an easy, prey to the Germans. My refusal brought Lord Kitchener to.Paris, where'l met hihi on September 1. though I deeply, resonted beitts called from Headquarters when a critical action was going on."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable i.sss. - (Roc. May 12, 0.15. a.m.) , London, May G. Lord French told Lord Kitchener that he had,been, entrusted with the British command in France, and lie alone was responsible; therefore, his authority must be supreme until ho was superseded, and l*o would not tolerate interference with his executive command, though lie would be glad to accept Lord Kitchener's advice and assistance. Lord Kitchener began to realise Lord French's difficulties, and they came (o an amicable understanding. He told Lord Kitchener it was impossible for him to be absent longer from Headquarters, and he quitted Paris forthwith. Lord French adds that tlio French Ministers and generals witnessed Lord Kitchener's apparent exercise of superior authority, and the narrator says he was apprehensive of the effect in French circles, ami upon'the moral of the British troops. Lord Kitchener realised his mistake, and quitted Paris 'that night—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assni-'; .' LORD FRENCH'S ATTACKS RESENTED. (Rec. May 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 7. Sir George Arthur, Lord Kitchener's biographer, writes to the Press pointing out that Lord' French's account of Lord. Kitchener's conduct in Paris in 19U is ' not borne out by telegrams and correspondence between them. . \ Military members of the • House of Commons' resent Lnrd French's attack, and intend to <ask the Government if it proposes to take • disciplinary action against Lord French.—Renter.