MARNE RETREAT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 173, 17 April 1920, Page 7

MARNE RETREAT

TELEGRAMS BETWEEN FRENCH AND . KITCHENER REASON FOR INDEPENDENT • ACTION "CONFIDENCE IN FRENCH LEADERS : WANING" (By Telegraph-Press AEBOciation-Copyrljat (Rec. April ftr, 5.5 p.m.) London,. April 15. The "Evening Standard" publishes • tlie full text of the telegrams between Lord Kitchener and General French at the end of August, 1914. The journal rays it was a rude shock to" Lord Kitchener to learn indirectly of Lord French's decision to make a definite and prolonged retreat with an eight days' march due south. Lord Kitchener anxiously irf. quired Lord French's meaning, and the latter replied that he had let General Jpft're know plainly tliat it was impossible for the British to remain in the front line now that, General Joffre had brgun a retirement.-. • A '/ml Kitchener later received a gloomy letter from Lord French which said: "My confidence in the ability of the 1-v.ulers of the French Army, is fast waning, and this was the real reason for my decision to move the British so far back. T feel most strongly on the absolute necessity of retaining our complete independence and the power to retire on our base '•vhen necessary."

Lord Kitchener regarded the last proposal as calamitous, and considered an independent retreat of such a magnitude nut only a violation of the spirit of the Entente, but a negation of the policy enjoined by the British Government. He ■ ; -i!d : Cabinet,' which was hastily summoned, that a retirement behind ; the Seine might mean the loss of the war. Cabinet instructed him to telegraph to General French that he expected him as far as possible to conform to General Joffre's plans. General French's reply arrived at midnight, and only .reiterated hip. reasons for independent movement, Kitchener consulted Mr. Asquith (Prime Minister) personally, and roused Sir Edward prey (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) from sleep, and'informed him he was proceeding to France in a (totroyor to consult General French. The historic interview at Paris followed. Lord Kitchener had no misgivings about his mission.' As Secretory of State, he must convey his instructions regarding (he. Government policy. He had no idea of interfering with the military execution of the policy. The military situation had already sensibly improved 1 , and General French undertook to do all ■the Government asked, and the episode, which Lord Kitchener always regarded as the.most pregnant in the war; was happily ended.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.