WAR ECHOES.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1922, Page 3

WAR ECHOES.

WHERE GENERALS DIFFER. VUSTRAI.fAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. /Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON. Nov 29. Two volumes entitled “Sir Douglas Haig,” by G. A. 11. Dewar, and l.ieul. Col. John G. Bnrastu.i have been given wide attention by 'be London press. General Repington, in the “Daily Telegraph” points out frankly the controversial diameter of the work. Dewar lays about him a whip composed of barbed wire and scorpions and does not let anyone off. least of all. Lloyd George, liepington summarised many questions dealing wtli political errors of war time statesmen, which the public should expect Air Lloyd George to answer on the first possible occasion. Thus, why the War Cabinet early in 1917 .accepted Nivcib s crack brained plan of campaign, and subordinated Haig to Nivelle. It .s a fact that the French prediction • f a German attack in March 1918 was wrong as to the place, date and time. On the other hand was the British headquarters correct. Did the Mar Cabinet send Haig a warning discouraging hh telegram ol August 1918. after he not Eocli. had planned the final oilensive in which Australian troops figur'd i.i the Somme area, and which Lmlcndorff admitted was Germany’s day of doom. Was Haig’s reference to " shortage of men deleted from despatches even after the war, in order to ihimd the War Cabinet from criticism. General Repington likewise controverts the French command because the French “at no time were able to rnakoj good the full lesponsil.hiti they assumed during the German offensive of March, 1918.” Sidebotham in the ‘ Ihiih Chronicle says Dewar points out the actual plans of‘the final victories of the war were not Foch’s, but the British After the. victory on Bth Aug., F«.ch wanted Haig to attack lloye. Haig insisted on attacking further north. Ibe brilliant British victory at Bapanine followed. There' were other instances m which the British were right end the I'icncb wrong. It is useful to 1 ave some corrective disparagement of the Bntisi arinv of which many Flinch writers are guilty, but it >s no: the right wav to correct by ruining down the work of the French. S.debotlmm also justifies the War C-ibi.u-. s telegram to Haig declaring the victories between Aug. and Nov. we," almost as cos ly as the defeats I -'tween March, and June. 1918.