OFFENSIVE OF 1917

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 104, 27 January 1920, Page 7

OFFENSIVE OF 1917

HOW. IT WAS STOPPED

WORK OF HUN MACHINE GUNS

For over two years'(says the "Christiun Science Monitor" special correspondent i» Paris) it lws been affirmed, both in. foreign and in French newspapers, that the French offensive of April l(i, 1!)17. on the Western front, was slopped by Paul Painlcve, then Minister of War, on the demand of several Parliamentarians then visiting the front, just as the most brilliant results were being obtained. .Mr. Painleve denied it repeatedly, but tho story continued to circulate, evidently for political purposes in the next elections.

"In order lo give the truth regarding this rumour, now that the war is'over, Mr. Painleve insisted upon discussing tho question in tho French Chamber on October 10, and as this was. agreed .to ho was able lo relate all that had passed. The recital was singularly touching pnd caused those present to recall their ardent hopes and cruel disappointments during the war. It was agreed ' only after a long discussion that tho whole business could bo spoken alxmt openly and the necessary documents published, on account of tho necessity for obtaining the consent of the foreign Governments involved; but it was ultimately ogreed to omit from the printed record nil documents involving foreign Powers until their consent is obtained.

Aristide Briand. who was Minister of Foreign Affairs, also took part in the discussion, as he iiad been subjected to partisan nttaeks along with Mr. Painleve for stopping the offensive, and he showed how he could not, disclose confidential diplomatic notes to defend himself and his confreres. Attack Failed. Mr. Painleve said that he had been repeatedly accused of stopping tho offensive of April IG, 11)17, because, of pressure brought to bear on' him by a dozen Parliamentarians who had lost their heads at tho sight of a battlefield; as a matter of fact no political intervention had been necessary to arrest tho offensive, for tho good reason that it had been stopped by the strength of the German positions. Mr. Painleve then continued: "It was on April IC, 1917, that tho great spring offensive began. You know its aim was to buret through the four lines of the enemy's positions in 4<i hours, dislocate tho German forces and reach the Meuse. Now at tho end of the first week our oflensivo was broken in many places on the first lines of the eneuiy/s positions, and during this week no intervention nf the Government in any form. Influenced military events, the ccueral-in-ehief conducting them entirely according to his own will. Our 'oflensivo expired because it was broken by tho German machine-guns, and if we managed to get through on one point, it was becauso at this place wo fell into a trap laid for us by the enemy, who-knew the plan of attack of a. great part of the fifth army. "Tho superior command knew of this grave incident, when it took place, while the Government was in ignorance of it. The plan of the., offensive had been taken from a sergeant by tho enemy before Sapigneul in the followiug manner:— During all the month of April, in Order to iucreaso tho enthusiasm of our troops, plans had been given to the colonels and lieutenant-colonels of tho projected operations, which they were allowed to tspeak of to their men. A commandant who possessed this plan, fearing ho might be captured, gave it to a sergeant, who unfortunately fell into the hands of tho enemy at Sapigneul." At this point astonishment was expressed :n tho Chamber that the superior command had not changed its plans after learning of their loss. Insufficient Preparation.

Mr. Fninlevo continued by reading tho report of Henry Berenguer, who is not prejudiced in any way against the great chiefs, and who attributed the stopping of the offensive to three causes: the defects of preparation, the uncertainty of iho weather, and the incident of (Nipigncul. Mr. Painlcve then said: "The preliminary bombardment had not destroyed tiie nests of enemy machineguns, and it was a sad day for our troops. In two days we had only advanced 500 metres when we should hava gained 12 kilometres. Where was tho need of 12 Parliamentarians to stQp tho offensive? These Parliamentarians who were with the Fifth Army, anil who wero accused of having been seized with panic, wero Abel FerryJ Georges Clemenconn, Paul TJoumer, Mr. Aubriot, Pieiro Renatidcl, Mr. Breton, and a few others, and these are the men who had never seen a battlefield" said Mr. Fninlevo with an irony which was appreciated by tlm whole Chamber.

While ho was -about it, Mr. Painlove also destroyed a legem! which had its origin in Parliament itself, concerning General 0. It. 13. Ma.ngin, who had been called nt that time in tho Chamber (lie "Grinder of_ tho Blacks," because it was mid 1)8 "pitilessly cent his colonial coloured troops over the top without any liopo of winning. He showed that Geneal Manpin protested indignantly against the- idea that any orders should have been necessary to cause him to 6top a useless hetneomb. Serious Losses. It was then shown flint after April 29, 1917, General Nivelle wished to undertake ii new offensive of Brimont, but this did notittiko place because General Pctain declared that Briluont would be taken one day and lost again the next. Concerning tlip losses resulting from, the spring offensive, Mr. l'ainleve showed that far from having exaggerated the number, lie had really been much under the true figure, for in place of 25,000 which lie announced, tho actual number including the missing was H-1-.OCO. The former Minister of War was warmly applauded when lifter having recalled that it was he who had named Marshal Petain and Marshal Focli, he concluded with these words: "During two years I have suffered in silence, whilst I was called a liar and traitor to my country, now there is an end of this falsehood."

Tho Chamber then proceeded to pass the following resolution: "The Chamber resolves' that the reports of its secret committees shall ; be published; but such documents as foreign diplomatic notes ehall be nlaced bv the Commission of External Affairs before the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who will lake all necessary precautions to obtain the consent of the Governments concerned, for the publication of these notes." In (his way tho truth about this imnortant action has now been made public and the vague rumours ended, and with the publication of the secret reports and diplomatic notes, the,true history of the great offensive of April 10, 1917, will be given to the world.