The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1914. SAVING THE SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 12 September 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1914. SAVING THE SITUATION.

In the light of yesterday's cablegrams, the graphic message in which FieldMarshal Sir John French describes the operations which took place between the 23rd and 28th of last month makes interesting reading. No finer' tribute could be paid to the officers and men of the British 'Army than that which their successful retreat from a position of the greatest peril evoked from the .Marshal. How serious was the position of the British troops in face of a surrounding movement by a vastly larger force of the enemy, is at once apparent on studying the map of the district in question, in connection with Sir John French's report. Had the Germans succeeded in hemming the British forces against Maubeuge and surrounding them, as they evidently hoped to do, our men would have been annihilated. As it was they suffered severely, but thanks to the magnificent lighting spirit displayed'by the ollieers and men, and tp tile resourcefulness and intrepidity of the commanding officers, this disaster was avoided, and the retreat successfully carried out. No one can read the Marshal's repoit of this momentous incident without feeling a thrill of pride at the splendid manner in which the British cavalry and aitillery covered the retreat to such good purpose that the enemy suffered L>o heavily to pursue energetically, A skil-fully-executed retreat is frequently more creditable than a victory, and there is no question that the operations referred to will add to the glorious repute of the British forces. The evacuation of Bine-he, and its occupation by tile enemy, necessitated immediate steps being taken to withdraw, especially as the French commander notified that at least throe German army corps were moving on the British position in front, and a second corps engaged in a turning movement, while owing to the retirement of t'.ie French a heavy German force menaced the 'British front. Unfortunately, the French cavalry were too exhausted (o be of any assistance until the retiring movement was almost finished, so thut the British troops were in about as tight ; a corner as possible. It is all the more to their credit that they carried out the retreat in spite of overwhelming odds, and thus saved the situation. We have been receiving such scraps of news hitherto that to have a descriptive official report like Sir John French has given is doubly welcome. Moreover, it affords another irrefutable proof that British officers and men have deteriorated neither' in resourcefulness nor pluck, and that if they are set a task that is humanly possible a way will be found in which to execute it. The same spirit which actuated the Light Brigade in its famous charge through the Valby of Death is as much in evidence to-day as of yore, and it is leading to the same goal of honor and victory.. The last week in August saw tho British troops almost, but not quite, at the mercy of the enemy. To-day the. tables are turned and the Germans are being driven back all along tile line, and the personal ascendancy of our men is asserting itself to good purpose. Having harried the enemy for some weeks, and yet giving way time and again, defence has been turned into an attack which appears to have made itself felt from one end of the Herman Hue to the other, and there appears to be every prospect of the Allies being able to separate and probably annihilate the right wing of the German invading force. Apparently, the time has arrived to strike the enemy in a decisive way. It is, however, not clear what particular factor in the Allied •.forces has operated to bring about the ! attacking movement. There is just a possibility that General Pan has again appeared on the scene with that portion of the French army which, n fortnight ago, was employed between Mczieres and Vitron in keeping the Germans florn crossing the Mouse, and getting through the gap, advancing out of the Ardennes. If this force is not connected with tho present driving movement of the Allies, it would be interesting to know where it is, for nothing has been heard of its movements for some tim'i. It is only fair to assume that it is playing its part, and perhaps only right to shroud its movements in secrecy; but that does not prevent a certain amount of curiosity on tho point. However, the general news from the scat of ivar is satisfactory, so far. Should the result of the battle that is now in progress li.s the destruction of the German right, iv will be the beginning of the end, though finality may be a long way off. At any moment now news may be received n[ the greatest interest and importance, and developments will, .therefore, 'bo keenly awaited.