A MILITARY GENIUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1915, Page 2

A MILITARY GENIUS.

GERMAN TRIBUTE TO GENEBAIi.: ■TOFFEE, PRIVATIONS OF GERMAN TROOPS.. AN INTERESTING CRITICISM. By Oalde—Brew Association— Copyist. London, Oct. 22. The Daily Telegraph's Rotterdam correspondent learns from a German staff officer that Berlin military circles regard General Joffre as a genius. Berlin militarists were extremely nervous in the early stages of the French attack in the Champagne, but became calmer when tie French troops did not succeed in breaking the line. General Joffre's plan wasperfect, and unsurpassed by any tactics in the whole war. There was wonderful co-ordination between the general and his staff, the plans and arrangements being carried out m a successful and elaborate manner. Tho details as worked out and focussed constitute a remarkable achievement of careful generalship. The German praises the Anglo-French troops, and regards the Indians' work as a revelation, and a striking contract j to the newspapers' scoffings at thesej "coloured Englishmen." He had no such high admiration for the British attack. He had nothing but praise for the troops, but was inclined to criticise the tactical scheme upon points' whereon he eulogised French officers. He admitted that the west front offensive relieved the German pressure upon the Russians, perhaps at a most critical moment. When General von Hindenburg's attempt to envelop the Vilna triangle threatened a great disaster, the Germans were compelled to withdraw large forces from the east front. They reached Belgium terribly exhausted, ragged and war-worn. They had not rested "after three months' continuous fighting in Galicia' and elsewhere on tie east front. They had endured the severest privations and were often pushed on ahead of supplies and told to get food at Russian villages, but were compelled to search the dead on Russian battlefields for bread rations. They were compelled to inarch westward for ten days, travelling by train five days. They bitterly complained of the harshness of their officers.

The reserves in Belgium have been withdrawn to the last man. Brussels and Antwerp on September 26 were denuded of troops for the first time since the occupation. Every man was hurried to the front, leaving only the Landsturm, who are greybeards.