FRENCHS BOOK

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 27 October 1919, Page 5

FRENCHS BOOK

ATTACKED BY OFFICIAL WAR HISTORIAN

IGNORANCE AND MALICE

ALLEGED

By Talesraph-Presi Ajsooiatton-OtpyrfifHJ (Ree. October 2fi, 11.53 p.m.) ' London, Octohcix U. Mr. J. W. For(e=que, the official his-, torian of Die war, in reviewing Viscount French's took in (ho "Quarterly Keview," created a sensation by -untieing an attack upon Viscount French. Ho.isiyfi: "This is one. of the most unfortunate books ever written. On August 26', 1111-l, Field-Marshal French, and his stall' completely lost their heads, and in a vain endeavour to conceal this Viscount French has taken leave, of all sense of accuracy and descended to misstatements and misrepresentations of tho clumsiest kind in order to injure tho reputation of a subordinate who is forbidden to defend himself. Coming from one in Viscount French's position this brings shame and dishonour upon tho whole Army. He says that wtien Bri-satlier-General Gricrson died Marshal French wanted General Plumcr to succeed him, but Lord Kitchener preferred lo send General Smith-Dorrien. Thereby hangs a sorry tale. . An unsavoury incident is the fact'that in a dispatch of September 7 .Marshall French gave Genera! Smith-Dorrien full credit for his cool courage- in accepting battle at Lfl Catoau. He now would have us believe that General Smith-Dorrien was only opposed by cavalry. Viscount French also says that fourteen thousand men and eighty guns were lost, whereas tho real figures show a loss ,of eight thousand men and thirty-six guns. There is ignorance as well as malice in this portion of the narrative." Mr. Fcrtcsque continues: "Marshal French, long before the battle of Lb Gateau, decided to hurry hack to Noyon, leaving his army to look after, itself for ii day or two. Happily Kluck marched south-west across the rear of the Second Corps, so that the British continued to retreat unmolested."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable ■Aesn.