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Churchill. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .sidenote {width: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: .5em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 0em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: 0; + text-align: center; border: solid 1px;} + .sidenote2 {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: .5em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 0em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: 0; + text-align: center; border: solid 1px;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align:baseline; + position: relative; + bottom: 0.33em; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of World's War Events, Vol. I, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: World's War Events, Vol. I + +Author: Various + +Editor: Francis J. Reynolds + Allen L. Churchill + +Release Date: July 4, 2008 [EBook #25962] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORLD'S WAR EVENTS, VOL. I *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='tnote'><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> Larger images of the two maps included in +this text may be seen by clicking on the visible image in the text.</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 527px;"> +<img src="images/vol1-frontis.jpg" width="527" height="309" alt="THE CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME AT RHEIMS" title="THE CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME AT RHEIMS" /> +<span class="caption">THE CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME AT RHEIMS</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>WORLD'S WAR<br /> +EVENTS</h1> + +<div class='center'> +RECORDED BY STATESMEN · COMMANDERS<br /> +HISTORIANS AND BY MEN WHO FOUGHT OR SAW<br /> +THE GREAT CAMPAIGNS<br /> +<br /> + + +<br /><span class="smcap">Compiled and Edited by</span></div> + +<h2>FRANCIS J. REYNOLDS</h2> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Former Reference Librarian · Library of Congress</span><br /> + +<span class="smcap">and</span></div> + +<h2>ALLEN L. CHURCHILL</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap">Associate Editor "The Story of the Great War"<br /> +Associate Editor "The New International<br /> +Encyclopedia"</span><br /> +</div> + + + +<h3>VOLUME I</h3> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="75" height="78" alt="Emblem" title="Emblem" /> +</div> + + +<div class='center'> +P. F. COLLIER & SON COMPANY<br /> +<span class="smcap">NEW YORK</span><br /></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +<div class='center'> +<small>Copyright 1919</small><br /> + +<span class="smcap"><small>By P. F. Collier & Son Company</small></span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> +<h2>WORLD'S WAR<br /> +EVENTS</h2> + +<h3>VOLUME I</h3> + +<h3> +BEGINNING WITH THE CAUSES OF THE WAR<br /> +AND THE INVASION OF BELGIUM IN<br /> +1914 AND CARRYING THE HISTORY<br /> +OF THE WAR TO<br /> +THE CLOSE OF<br /> +1915<br /></h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>ARTICLE</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">What Caused the War</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Baron Beyens</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Defense of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Liege'">Liège</ins></span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Charles Bronne</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Great Retreat</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Sir John French</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Battle of the Marne</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Sir John French</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">How the French Fought</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>French Official Account</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Race for the Channel</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>French Official Account</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Last Ditch in Belgium</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Arno Dosch</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Why Turkey Entered the War</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Roland G. Usher</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Falkland Sea Fight</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>A. N. Hilditch</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Cruise of the Emden</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Captain Mücke</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Capture of Tsing-Tao</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>A. N. Hilditch</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Gallipoli</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>A. John Gallishaw</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Gas: Second Battle of Ypres</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Colonel E. D. Swinton</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Canadians at Ypres</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>By the Canadian Record Officer</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sinking of the Lusitania</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_277">277</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Judicial Decision by Judge J. M. Mayer</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mountain Warfare</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_313">313</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Howard C. Felton</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Great Champagne Offensive of 1915</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_322">322</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Official Account of the French Headquarters Staff</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tragedy of Edith Cavell</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_348">348</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Brand Whitlock</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Gallipoli Abandoned</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_366">366</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>General Sir Charles C. Monro</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Death-Ship in the Sky</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_375">375</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Perriton Maxwell</i></span></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<h2>WHAT CAUSED THE WAR</h2> + +<h3>BARON BEYENS</h3> + + +<h3>I</h3> + +<div class="sidenote">Political +designs of +Francis +Ferdinand.</div> + +<p>The Archduke Francis Ferdinand will go +down to posterity without having yielded +up his secret. Great political designs have +been ascribed to him, mainly on the strength +of his friendship with William II. What do we +really know about him? He was strong-willed +and obstinate, very Clerical, very Austrian, disliking +the Hungarians to such an extent that +he kept their statesmen at arm's-length, and +having no love for Italy. He has been credited +with sympathies towards the Slav elements of +the Empire; it has been asserted that he dreamt +of setting up, in place of the dual monarchy, a +"triune State," in which the third factor would +have been made up for the most part of Slav +provinces carved out of the Kingdom of St. +Stephen. Immediately after he had been murdered, +the <i>Vossische Zeitung</i> refuted this theory +with arguments which seemed to me thoroughly +sound.</p> + +<p>The Archduke, said the Berlin newspaper, +was too keen-witted not to see that he would +thus be creating two rivals for Austria instead +of one, and that the Serb populations +would come within the orbit of Belgrade rather +than of Vienna. Serbia would become the Piedmont +of the Balkans; she would draw to herself +the Slavs of the Danube valley by a process of +crystallization similar to that which brought +about Italian unity.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">Army and +Navy reorganized.</div> + +<p>From year to year the Archduke had acquired<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +more and more weight in the governance of the +Empire, in proportion as his uncle's will grew +weaker beneath the burden of advancing age. +Thus he had succeeded in his efforts to provide +Austria-Hungary with a new navy, the counterpart, +on a more modest scale, of the German +fleet, and to reorganize the effective army, here +again taking Germany for his model. Among +certain cliques, he was accused of not keeping +enough in the background, of showing little tact +or consideration in the manner of thrusting +aside the phantom Emperor, who was gently +gliding into the winter of the years at Schönbrunn +amid the veneration of his subjects of +every race.</p> + +<p>Another charge was that he appointed too +many of his creatures to important civil and +military posts.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Antagonism +of +Russia +and +Austria.</div> + +<p>We may well believe that this prince, observing +the gradual decay of the monarchy, tried +to restore its vigour, and that his first thought +was to hold with a firm grasp, even before assuming +the Imperial crown, the cluster of +nationalities, mutually hostile and always discontented, +that go to make up the Dual Empire. +So far as foreign relations are concerned, we +may assume that he was bent on winning her +a place in the first rank of Powers; that he +wished, above all, to see her predominant all +along the Danube and in the Balkans; that +he even aimed at giving her the road to Salonika +and the Levant, though it were at the +price of a collision with Russia. This antagonism +between the two neighbour Empires must +have often been among the topics of his conversations +with William II.</p> + +<p>The Archduke needed military glory, prestige +won on the battle-field, in order to seat +his consort firmly on the throne and make his +children heirs to the Cæsars. He had been +suspected, both in Austria and abroad, of not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +wishing to observe the family compact which +he had signed at the time of his marriage with +Countess Sophie Chotek. It was thought that +he perhaps reserved the right to declare it null +and void, in view of the constraint that had +been put upon him. The successive honours +that had drawn the Duchess of Hohenberg from +the obscurity in which the morganatic wife of +a German prince is usually wrapped, and had +brought her near to the steps of the throne, +showed clearly that her rise would not stop +half-way.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Domestic +life of +the Archduke.</div> + +<p>The Archduke, like William II himself, +was reputed to be an exemplary father and +husband. He was one of those princes who +adore their own children, but, under the spur +of political ambition, are very prone to send +the children of others to the shambles. A fine +theme for Socialist and Republican preachers +to enlarge upon!</p> + +<p>I often met the heir to the Imperial crown, +especially at Vienna in 1910, where I had the +honour of accompanying my Sovereign, and two +years later at Munich, the Prince Regent's +funeral.</p> + +<p>On each occasion this Hapsburg, with his +heavy features, his scowling expression, and +his rather corpulent figure (quite different from +the slim build characteristic of his line), struck +me as a singular type. His face was certainly +not sympathetic, nor was his manner engaging. +The Duchess of Hohenberg, whom, after +having known her as a little girl when her +father was Austrian Minister at Brussels, I +found gracefully doing the honours in the Belvedere +Palace, had retained in her high station +the genial simplicity of the Chotek family. This +probably did not prevent her from cherishing +the loftiest ambitions for herself, and above all +for her eldest son, and from coveting the glory +of the double crown.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>II</h3> + +<div class="sidenote">Assassination +of +Francis +Ferdinand.</div> + +<p>The news that an assassin's hand had struck +down the Archduke and his wife, inseparable +even in death, burst upon Berlin on the afternoon +of Sunday, June 28, like an unexpected +thunderclap in the midst of a calm summer's +day. I went over at once to the Austro-Hungarian +Embassy, in order to express all the horror +that I felt at this savage drama. Count +Szögyen, the senior member of the diplomatic +corps, was on the eve of resigning the post that +he had held for twenty years, honoured by all +his colleagues. It was whispered that his removal +had been asked for by the Archduke, who +was anxious to introduce young blood into the +diplomatic service. I found the Ambassador +quite overcome by the terrible news. He seemed +stricken with grief at the thought of his aged +Sovereign, who had already lost so many of his +nearest and dearest, and of the Dual Empire, +robbed of its most skillful pilot, and with no +one to steer it now but an octogenarian leaning +on a youth of twenty-six. M. Cambon had come +to the Embassy at the same time, and we left +together discussing the results, still impossible +to foresee clearly, that this fatality might have +for European affairs.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Serajevo +tragedy a +menace.</div> + +<p>From the very next day the tone of the Berlin +Press, in commenting on the Serajevo tragedy, +was full of menace. It expected the Vienna +Cabinet to send to Belgrade an immediate request +for satisfaction, if Serbian subjects, as it +was believed, were among those who had devised +and carried out the plot. But how far +would this satisfaction go, and in what form +would it be demanded? There was the rub. +The report, issued by the semi-official <i>Lokalanzeiger</i>, +of a pressure exerted by the Austro-Hungarian +Minister, with a view to making<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +the Serbian Government institute proceedings +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'again'">against</ins> the anarchist societies of which the Archduke +and his wife had been the victims, surprised +no one, but was not confirmed. On the +other hand, a softer breeze soon blew from +Vienna and Budapest, and under its influence +the excitement of the Berlin newspapers suddenly +abated. An order seemed to have been +issued: the rage and fluster of the public were +to be allowed to cool down. The Austro-Hungarian +Government, so we were informed by +the news agencies, were quietly taking steps +to prosecute the murderers. Count Berchtold, +in speaking to the diplomatic corps at Vienna, +and Count Tisza, in addressing Parliament at +Budapest, used reassuring language, which +raised hopes of a peaceful solution.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Opinion is +moderate +in Berlin.</div> + +<p>The Wilhelmstrasse also expressed itself in +very measured terms on the guarantees that +would be demanded from Serbia. Herr Zimmermann, +without knowing (so he said to me) +what decision had been arrived at in Vienna, +thought that no action would be taken in Belgrade +until the Austro-Hungarian Government +had collected the proofs of the complicity of +Serbian subjects or societies in the planning of +the Serajevo crime. He had made a similar +statement to the Russian Ambassador, who had +hastened to impart to him his fears for the +peace of Europe, in the event of any attempt to +coerce Serbia into proceeding against the secret +societies, if they were accused of intrigues +against the Austrian Government in Bosnia +and Croatia. Herr Zimmermann declared to +M. Sverbeeff that, in his opinion, no better +advice could be given to the Serbian Government +than this: that it should put a stop to +the nefarious work of these societies and punish +the accomplices of the Archduke's assassins. +The moderation of this remark fairly reflected +the general state of public opinion in Berlin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Kaiser +William's +opinion.</div> + +<p>But what of the Emperor, the Archduke's +personal friend? Would not his grief and anger +find voice in ringing tones? All eyes were +turned towards Kiel, where the fatal news +reached William II while he was taking part in +a yacht race on board his own clipper. He +turned pale, and was heard to murmur: "So my +work of the past twenty-five years will have to +be started all over again!" Enigmatic words +which may be interpreted in various ways! To +the British Ambassador, who was also at Kiel, +with the British squadron returning from the +Baltic, he unburdened himself in more explicit +fashion: "Es ist ein Verbrechen gegen das +Deutschtum" ("It is a crime against Germanity"). +By this he probably meant that Germany, +feeling her own interests assailed by the +Serajevo crime, would make common cause with +Austria to exact a full retribution. With more +self-control than usual, however, he abstained +from all further public utterances on the +subject.</p> + +<p>It had been announced that he would go to +Vienna to attend the Archduke's funeral. What +were the motives that prevented him from +offering to the dead man this last token of a +friendship which, at first merely political, +had become genuine and even tender, with +a touch of patronage characteristic of the +Emperor?</p> + +<div class="sidenote">William +II not +at the +funeral.</div> + +<p>He excused himself on the ground of some +slight ailment. The truth is, no doubt, that +he was disgusted with the wretched stickling +for etiquette shown by the Grand Chamberlain +of the Viennese Court, the Prince di Montenuovo, +who refused to celebrate with fitting +splendour the obsequies of the late heir apparent +and his morganatic wife. Under these +circumstances, Vienna could have no desire +either for the presence of William II or for his +criticisms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Kaiser +goes to +Norway.</div> + +<p>At the beginning of July, the Emperor left +for his accustomed cruise along the Norwegian +coast, and in Berlin we breathed more freely. +If he could withdraw so easily from the centre +of things, it was a sign that the storm-clouds +that had nearly burst over Serbia were also +passing off from the Danube valley. Such, I +fancy, was the view taken by the British Government, +for its Ambassador, who was already +away on leave, was not sent back to Berlin. +Other diplomats, among them the Russian Ambassador, +took their annual holiday as usual. +But the Emperor, in the remote fiords of Norway, +was all the time posted up in the secret +designs of the Vienna Cabinet. The approaching +ultimatum to Serbia was telegraphed to +him direct by his Ambassador in Vienna, Herr +von Tschirsky, a very active worker, who strenuously +advocated a policy of hostility towards +Russia, and from the first moment had wanted +war.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Kaiser +decides.</div> + +<p>We may assume that the Emperor, if his +mind was not already made up at Kiel, came +to a decision during his Norwegian cruise. His +departure for the north had been merely a +snare, a device for throwing Europe and the +Triple Entente off the scent, and for lulling +them into a false security. While the world +imagined that he was merely seeking to soothe +his nerves and recruit his strength with the +salt sea breezes, he was biding his time for a +dramatic reappearance on the stage of events, +allowing the introductory scenes to be played +in his absence.</p> + + +<h3>III</h3> + +<p>During the first half of July, my colleagues +and I at Berlin did not live in a fool's paradise. +As the deceptive calm caused by Vienna's +silence was prolonged, a latent, ill-defined uneasiness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +took hold of us more and more. Yet +we were far from anticipating that in the +space of a few days we should be driven +into the midst of a diplomatic maelstrom, +in which, after a week of intense anguish, we +should look on, mute and helpless, at the +shipwreck of European peace and of all our +hopes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Austria's +ultimatum +to Serbia.</div> + +<p>The ultimatum, sent in the form of a Note +by Baron von Giesl to the Serbian Cabinet on +July 23, was not disclosed by the Berlin newspapers +until the following day, in their morning +editions. This bolt from the blue proved +more alarming than anything we had dared +to imagine. The shock was so unexpected that +certain journals, losing their composure, +seemed to regard the Vienna Cabinet's arraignment +as having overshot the mark. "Austria-Hungary," +said the <i>Vossische Zeitung</i>, +"will have to justify the grave charges that +she makes against the Serbian Government +and people by publishing the results of the +preliminary investigations at Serajevo."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Russia +would +defend +Serbia.</div> + +<p>My own conviction, shared by several of my +colleagues, was that the Austrian and Hungarian +statesmen could not have brought themselves +to risk such a blow at the Balkan kingdom, +without having consulted their colleagues +at Berlin and ascertained that the Emperor +William would sanction the step. His horror +of regicides and his keen sense of dynastic +brotherhood might explain why he left his +ally a free hand, in spite of the danger of provoking +a European conflict. That danger was +only too real. Not for one moment did I suppose +that Russia would prove so careless of +Serbia's fate as to put up with this daring assault +on the latter's sovereignty and independence; +that the St. Petersburg Cabinet would renounce +the principle of "The Balkans for the +Balkan nations," proclaimed to the Duma two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +months before by M. Sazonoff, in short, that +the Russian people would disown the ancient +ties of blood that united it with the Slav communities +of the Balkan peninsula.</p> + +<p>The pessimistic feeling of the diplomatic +corps was increased on the following day, the +25th, by the language addressed to it at the +Wilhelmstrasse. Herren von Jagow and Zimmermann +said that they had not known beforehand +the contents of the Austrian Note. This +was a mere quibble: they had not known its +actual wording, I grant, but they had certainly +been apprised of its tenor. They hastened to +add, by the way, that the Imperial Government +approved of its ally's conduct, and did +not consider the tone of its communication unduly +harsh. The Berlin Press, still with the +exception of the Socialist organs, had recovered +from its astonishment of the day before; it +joined in the chorus of the Vienna and Budapest +newspapers, from which it gave extracts, +and faced the prospect of a war with perfect +calm, while expressing the hope that it would +remain localized.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">No signs +of peaceful +settlement.</div> + +<p>In comparison with the attitude of the German +Government and Press, the signs pointing +to a peaceful settlement seemed faint indeed. +They all came from outside Germany, from the +impressions recorded in foreign telegrams. +Public opinion in Europe could not grasp the +need for such hectoring methods of obtaining +satisfaction, when there was no case for refusing +discussion on the normal diplomatic +lines. It seemed impossible that Count Berchtold +should ignore the general movement of +reproof which appeared spontaneously everywhere +but in Berlin against his ultimatum. +A moderate claim would have seemed just; but +Serbia could not be asked to accept a demand +for so heavy an atonement, couched in a form +of such unexampled brutality.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Key to +the situation +in +Berlin.</div> + +<p>The more I reflected on the ghastly situation +created by the collusion of German and Austro-Hungarian +diplomacy, the more certain did I +feel that the key to that situation (as M. Sazonoff +said later) lay in Berlin, and that there +was no need to look further for the solution +of the problem. If, however, the choice between +peace and war was left to the discretion of +the Emperor William, whose influence over his +ally in Vienna had always overruled that of +others, then, considering what I knew as to +His Majesty's personal inclinations and the +plans of the General Staff, the upshot of it all +was no longer in doubt, and no hope of a peaceful +arrangement could any longer be entertained. +I communicated this dismal forecast +to the French Ambassador, whom I went to see +on the evening of the 25th. Like myself, M. +Cambon laboured under no illusions. That +very night I wrote to my Government, in order +to acquaint it with my fears and urge it to +be on its guard. This report, dated the 26th, +I entrusted, as a measure of precaution, to one +of my secretaries, who at once left for Brussels. +Early next morning, my dispatch was in the +hands of the Belgian Foreign Minister.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">War +aimed at +Russia +and +France.</div> + +<p>The ultimatum to Serbia [it ran] is a blow +contrived by Vienna and Berlin, or rather, contrived +here and carried out at Vienna. Requital +for the assassination of the Austrian heir +apparent and the Pan-Serb propaganda serves +as a stalking-horse. The real aim, apart from +the crushing of Serbia and the stifling of Jugo-Slav +aspirations, is to deal a deadly thrust at +Russia and France, with the hope that England +will stand aside from the struggle. In order +to vindicate this theory, I beg to remind you of +the view prevailing in the German General Staff, +namely, that a war with France and Russia is +unavoidable and close at hand—a view which +the Emperor has been induced to share. This<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +war, eagerly desired by the military and Pan-German +party, might be undertaken to-day under +conditions extremely favourable for Germany, +conditions that are not likely to arise +again for some time to come.</p> + +<p>After a summary of the situation and of the +problems that it raised, my report concluded as +follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We, too, have to ask ourselves these harassing +questions, and keep ourselves ready for the +worst; for the European conflict that has always +been talked about, with the hope that it +would never break out, is to-day becoming a +grim reality.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Dangers +for +Belgium.</div> + +<p>The worst contingencies that occurred to me, +as a Belgian, were the violation of a part of our +territory and the duty that might fall upon our +soldiers of barring the way to the belligerents. +In view of the vast area over which a war between +France and Germany would be fought, +dared we hope that Belgium would be safe from +any attack by the German army, from any attempt +to use her strategic routes for offensive +purposes? I could not bring myself to believe +that she would be so fortunate. But between +such tentatives and a thoroughgoing invasion +of my country, plotted a long time in advance +and carried out before the real operations of +the war had begun, there was a wide gulf, a gulf +that I never thought the Imperial Government +capable of leaping over with a light heart, because +of the European complications which so +reckless a disdain for treaties would not fail to +involve.</p></div> + + +<h3>IV</h3> + +<p>Until the end of the crisis, the idea of a preventive +war continually recurred to my mind. +Other heads of legations, however, while sharing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +my anxieties on this point, did not agree +with me as to the premeditation of which I +accused the Emperor and the military chiefs. +I was not content with putting my questions to +the French Ambassador, whose unerring judgment +always carried great weight with me. I +also visited his Italian colleague, an astute +diplomat, thoroughly versed in German statecraft. +He had always put me in mind of those +dexterous agents employed by the sixteenth-century +Italian republics.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Signor +Bollati's +views.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Germany +and +Austria +confident.</div> + +<p>According to Signor Bollati, the German +Government, agreeing in principle with the +Vienna Cabinet as to the necessity for chastising +Serbia, had not known beforehand the +terms of the Austrian Note, the violence of +which was unprecedented in the language of +Chancelleries. Vienna, as well as Berlin, was +convinced that Russia, in spite of the official +assurances that had recently passed between +the Tsar and M. Poincaré regarding the complete +readiness of the French and Russian +armies, was not in a position to enter on +a European war, and that she would not +dare to embark upon so hazardous an adventure. +Internal troubles, revolutionary intrigues, +incomplete armaments, inadequate +means of communication—all these reasons +would compel the Russian Government to be +an impotent spectator of Serbia's undoing. The +same confidence reigned in the German and +Austrian capitals as regards, not the French +army, but the spirit prevailing among Government +circles in Paris.</p> + +<p>At present [added the Ambassador] feeling +runs so high in Vienna that all calm reflection +goes by the board. Moreover, in seeking to +annihilate Serbia's military power, the Austro-Hungarian +Cabinet is pursuing a policy of +personal revenge. It cannot realize the mistakes +that it made during the Balkan War, or remain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +satisfied with the partial successes then +gained with our aid—successes that, whatever +judgment may be passed upon them, were certainly +diplomatic victories. All that Count +Berchtold sees to-day is Serbia's insolence and +the criticism he has had to endure even in Austria. +By this bold stroke, very unexpected +from a man of his stamp, he hopes to turn the +criticism into applause.</p> + +<p>The Ambassador held that Berlin had false +ideas as to the course that the Tsar's Government +would adopt. The latter would find itself +forced into drawing the sword, in order to +maintain its prestige in the Slav world. Its inaction, +in face of Austria's entry into the field, +would be equivalent to suicide. Signor Bollati +also gave me to understand that a widespread +conflict would not be popular in Italy. The +Italian people had no concern with the overthrow +of the Russian power, which was Austria's +enemy; it wished to devote all its attention +to other problems, more absorbing from +its own point of view.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Vienna +welcomes +war on +Serbia.</div> + +<p>The blindness of the Austrian Cabinet with +regard to Russian intervention has been proved +by the correspondence, since published, of the +French and British representatives at Vienna. +The Viennese populace was beside itself with +joy at the announcement of an expedition +against Serbia, which, it felt sure, would be a +mere military parade. Not for a single night +were Count Berchtold's slumbers disturbed by +the vision of the Russian peril. He is, indeed, +at all times a buoyant soul, who can happily +mingle the distractions of a life of pleasure +with the heavy responsibilities of power. His +unvarying confidence was shared by the German +Ambassador, his most trusted mentor. +We can hardly suppose that the Austrian +Minister shut his eyes altogether to the possibility +of a struggle with the Slav world. Having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +Germany as his partner, however, he determined, +with the self-possession of a fearless +gambler, to proceed with the game.</p> + +<p>At Berlin, the theory that Russia was incapable +of facing a conflict reigned supreme, +not only in the official world and in society, +but among all the manufacturers who made a +specialty of war material.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Berlin +believes +Russia +weak.</div> + +<p>Herr Krupp von Bohlen, who was more entitled +to give an opinion than any other of +this class, declared on July 28 that the Russian +artillery was neither efficient nor complete, +while that of the German army had +never before been so superior to all its rivals. +It would be madness on Russia's part, he +inferred, to take the field against Germany +under these conditions.</p> + + +<h3>V</h3> + +<p>The foreign diplomatic corps was kept in +more or less profound ignorance as to the +<i>pourparlers</i> carried on since the 24th by the +Imperial Foreign Office with the Triple Entente +Cabinets. Nevertheless, to the diplomats +who were continually going over to the Wilhelmstrasse +for news, the crisis was set forth +in a light very favourable to Austria and Germany, +in order to influence the views of the +Governments which they represented. Herr +von Stumm, the departmental head of the +political branch, in a brief interview that I had +with him on the 26th, summed up his exposition +in these words: "Everything depends on +Russia." I should rather have thought that +everything depended on Austria, and on the +way in which she would carry out her threats +against Serbia.</p> + +<p>On the following day I was received by +Herr Zimmermann, who adopted the same line<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +of argument, following it in all its bearings +from the origin of the dispute.</p> + +<p>It was not at our prompting [he said], or +in accordance with our advice, that Austria +took the action that you know of towards the +Belgrade Cabinet. The answer was unsatisfactory, +and to-day Austria is mobilizing. She +can no longer draw back without risking a +collapse at home as well as a loss of influence +abroad. It is now a question of life and death +to her. She must put a stop to the unscrupulous +propaganda which, by raising revolt among +the Slav provinces of the Danube valley, is +leading towards her internal disintegration. +Finally, she must exact a signal revenge for +the assassination of the Archduke. For all +these reasons Serbia is to receive, by means of +a military expedition, a stern and salutary lesson. +An Austro-Serbian War is, therefore, impossible +to avoid.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attempts +to limit +conflict.</div> + +<p>England has asked us to join with her, +France, and Italy, in order to prevent the conflict +from spreading and a war from breaking +out between Austria and Russia. Our answer +was that we should be only too glad to help +in limiting the area of the conflagration, by +speaking in a pacific sense to Vienna and St. +Petersburg; but that we could not use our influence +with Austria to restrain her from inflicting +an exemplary punishment on Serbia. +We have promised to help and support our +Austrian allies, if any other nation should try +to hamper them in this task. We shall keep +that promise.</p> + +<p>If Russia mobilizes her army, we shall at +once mobilize ours, and then there will be a +general war, a war that will set ablaze all +Central Europe and even the Balkan peninsula, +for the Rumanians, Greeks, Bulgarians, +and Turks will not be able to resist the temptation +to come in.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>As I remarked yesterday to M. Boghitchevitch +[the former Serbian Chargé d'Affaires, +who was on a flying visit to Berlin, where he +had been greatly appreciated during the Balkan +War], the best advice I can give Serbia +is that she should make no more than a show +of resistance to Austria, and should come to +terms as soon as possible, by accepting all the +conditions of the Vienna Cabinet. I added, in +speaking to him, that if a universal war broke +out and went in favor of the Triplice, Serbia +would probably cease to exist as a nation; she +would be wiped off the map of Europe. I still +hope, though, that such a widespread conflict +may be avoided, and that we shall succeed in +inducing Russia not to intervene on Serbia's +behalf. Remember that Austria is determined +to respect Serbia's integrity, once she has obtained +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>I pointed out to the Under-Secretary that +the Belgrade Cabinet's reply, according to +some of my colleagues who had read it, was, +apart from a few unimportant restrictions, an +unqualified surrender to Austria's demands. +Herr Zimmermann said that he had no knowledge +of this reply (it had been handed in two +days before to the Austrian Minister at Belgrade!) +and that, in any case, there was no +longer any possibility of preventing an Austro-Hungarian +military demonstration.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Serbian +reply.</div> + +<p>The Serbian document was not published by +the Berlin newspapers until the 29th. On the +previous day they all reproduced a telegram +from Vienna, stating that this apparent submission +was altogether inadequate. The +prompt concessions made by the Pasitch Cabinet, +concessions that had not been anticipated +abroad, failed to impress Germany. She persisted +in seeing only with Austria's eyes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Zimmermann's +arguments.</div> + +<p>Herr Zimmermann's arguments held solely +on the hypothesis that, in the action brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +by Austria against Serbia, no Power had the +right to come forward as counsel for the defendant, +or to interfere in the trial at all. +This claim amounted to depriving Russia of +her historic rôle in the Balkans. Carried to its +logical conclusion, the theory meant condemning +unheard every small State that should be +unfortunate enough to have a dispute with a +great Power. According to the principles of +the Berlin Cabinet, the great Power should be +allowed, without let or hindrance, to proceed +to the execution of its weak opponent. England, +therefore, would have had no right to +succor Belgium when the latter was invaded +by Germany, any more than Russia had a +right to protect Serbia from the Austrian +menace.</p> + +<p>Russia, it was asserted at the Wilhelmstrasse, +ought to be satisfied with the assurance +that Austria would not impair the territorial +integrity of Serbia or mar her future +existence as an independent State. What a +hollow mockery such a promise would seem, +when the whole country had been ravaged by +fire and sword! Surely it was decreed that, +after this "exemplary punishment," Serbia +should become the lowly vassal of her redoubtable +neighbour, living a life that was no life, +cowed by the jealous eye of the Austrian Minister—really +the Austrian Viceroy—at Belgrade. +Had not Count Mensdorff declared to Sir Edward +Grey that before the Balkan War Serbia +was regarded as gravitating towards the Dual +Monarchy's sphere of influence? A return +to the past, to the tame deference of King +Milan, was the least that Austria would +exact.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +opinion is +misled.</div> + +<p>The version given out by the Imperial Chancellery, +besides being intended to enlighten +foreign Governments, had a further end in +view. Repeated <i>ad nauseam</i> by the Press, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +aimed at misleading German public opinion. +From the very opening of the crisis, Herr +von Bethmann-Hollweg and his colleagues +strove, with all the ingenuity at their command, +to hoodwink their countrymen, to shuffle +the cards, to throw beforehand on Russia, in +case the situation should grow worse, the +odium of provocation and the blame for the +disaster, to represent that Power as meddling +with a police inquiry that did not concern her +in the least. This cunning manœuvre resulted +in making all Germany, without distinction of +class or party, respond to her Emperor's call +at the desired moment, since she was persuaded +(as I have explained in a previous chapter) +that she was the object of a premeditated attack +by Tsarism.</p> + + +<h3>VI</h3> + +<div class="sidenote">German +diplomacy.</div> + +<p>The game of German diplomacy during these +first days of the crisis, July 24 to 28, has already +been revealed. At first inclined to +bludgeon, it soon came to take things easily, +even affecting a certain optimism, and by its +passive resistance bringing to naught all the +efforts and all the proposals of the London, +Paris, and St. <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Petersberg'">Petersburg</ins> Cabinets. To gain +time, to lengthen out negotiations, seems to +have been the task imposed upon Austria-Hungary's +accomplice in order to promote +rapid action by the Dual Monarchy, and to +face the Triple Entente with irrevocable +deeds, namely the occupation of Belgrade and +the surrender of the Serbians. But things did +not go as Berlin and Vienna had hoped, and +the determined front shown by Russia, who +in answer to the partial mobilization of Austria +mobilized her army in four southern districts, +gave food for reflection to the tacticians +of the Wilhelmstrasse. Their language and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +their frame of mind grew gentler to a singular +degree on the fifth day, July 28. It may be recalled, +in passing, that in 1913, during the +Balkan hostilities, Austria and Russia had +likewise proceeded to partial mobilizations; +yet these steps had not made them come to +blows or even brought them to the verge of +hostilities.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Kaiser +returns to +Berlin.</div> + +<p>On the evening of the 26th the Emperor's +return was announced in Berlin. Why did he +come back so suddenly? I think I am justified +in saying that, at this news, the general feeling +among the actors and spectators of the drama +was one of grave anxiety. Our hearts were +heavy within us; we had a foreboding that the +decisive moment was drawing near. It was the +same at the Wilhelmstrasse. To the British +Chargé d'Affaires Herr von Zimmermann frankly +confessed his regret at this move, on which +William II had decided without consulting +any one.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, our fears at first seemed to be +unwarranted. The 28th was marked by a notable +loosening of Germany's stiff-necked attitude. +The British Ambassador, who had returned +to Berlin on the previous day, was +summoned in the evening by the Chancellor. +Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, while rejecting +the conference proposed by Sir Edward Grey, +promised to use his good offices to induce Russia +and Austria to discuss the position in an +amicable fashion. "A war between the Great +Powers must be averted," were his closing +words.</p> + +<p>It is highly probable that the Chancellor +at that time sincerely wanted to keep the +peace, and his first efforts, when he saw +the danger coming nearer and nearer, succeeded +in curbing the Emperor's impatience for +forty-eight hours. The telegram sent by William +II to the Tsar on the evening of the 28th<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +is friendly, almost reassuring: "Bearing in +mind the cordial friendship that has united +us two closely for a long time past, I am using +all my influence to make Austria arrive at a +genuine and satisfactory understanding with +Russia."</p> + +<p>How are we to explain, then, the abrupt +change of tack that occurred the following day +at Berlin, or rather, at Potsdam, and the peculiar +language addressed by the Chancellor to Sir +Edward Goschen on the evening of the 29th? +In that nocturnal scene there was no longer +any question of Austria's demands on Serbia, +or even of the possibility of an Austro-Russian +war. The centre of gravity was suddenly +shifted, and at a single stride the danger passed +from the southeast of Europe to the northwest.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Will England +be +neutral?</div> + +<p>What is it that Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg +wants to know at once, as he comes +straight from the council held at Potsdam under +the presidency of the Emperor? Whether +Great Britain would consent to remain neutral +in a European war, provided that Germany +agreed to respect the territorial integrity of +France. "And what of the French colonies?" +asks the Ambassador with great presence of +mind. The Chancellor can make no promise +on this point, but he unhesitatingly declares +that Germany will respect the integrity and +neutrality of Holland. As for Belgium, France's +action will determine what operations Germany +may be forced to enter upon in that +country; but when the war is over, Belgium +will lose no territory, unless she ranges herself +on the side of Germany's foes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A bargain +proposed.</div> + +<p>Such was the shameful bargain proposed to +England, at a time when none of the negotiators +had dared to speak in plain terms of a +European war or even to offer a glimpse of that +terrifying vision. This interview was the immediate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +result of the decisive step taken by +German diplomacy on the same day at St. +Petersburg. The step in question has been +made known to us through the diplomatic +documents which have been printed by the +orders of the belligerent Governments, and all +of which concur in their account of this painful +episode. Twice on that day did M. Sazonoff +receive a visit from the German Ambassador, +who came to make a demand wrapped up in +threats.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germany's +demands +on Russia.</div> + +<p>Count de Pourtalès insisted on Russia +contenting herself with the promise, guaranteed +by Germany, that Austria-Hungary +would not impair the integrity of Serbia. M. +Sazonoff refused to countenance the war on +this condition. Serbia, he felt, would become +a vassal of Austria, and a revolution would +break out in Russia. Count de Pourtalès then +backed his request with the warning that, unless +Russia desisted from her military preparations, +Germany would mobilize. A German +mobilization, he said, would mean war. The +results of the second interview, which took +place at two o'clock in the morning, were as +negative as those of the first, notwithstanding +a last effort, a final suggestion by M. Sazonoff +to stave off the crisis. His giving in to Germany's +brutal dictation would have been an +avowal that Russia was impotent.</p> + +<p>To the Emperor William, who had resumed +the conduct of affairs since the morning of the +27th—the Emperor William, itching to cut the +knot, driven on by his Staff and his generals—to +him and no other must we trace the responsibility +for this insolent move which made +war inevitable. "The heads of the army insisted," +was all that Herr von Jagow would +vouchsafe a little later to M. Cambon by way +of explanation. The Chancellor, and with him +the Foreign Secretary and Under-Secretary,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +associated themselves with these hazardous +tactics, from sheer inability to secure the adoption +of less hasty and violent methods. If they +believed that this summary breaking off of +negotiations would meet with success, they +were as grievously mistaken as Count de Pourtalès, +whose reports utterly misled them as to +the sacrifices that Russia was prepared to make +for Serbia.</p> + +<p>At all events this upright man, when he +realized the appalling effects of his blunder, +gave free play to his emotion. Such sensitiveness +is rare indeed in a German, and redounds +entirely to his credit.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Russian +military +development.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">French +military +situation.</div> + +<p>But the Emperor and his council of generals—what +was their state of soul at this critical +moment? Perhaps this riddle will never be +wholly solved. From the military point of +view, which in their eyes claimed first attention, +they must <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'thave'">have</ins> rejoiced at M. Sazonoff's +answer, for never again would they find such +a golden opportunity for vanquishing Russia +and making an end of her rivalry. In 1917 +the reorganization of her army would have +been complete, her artillery would have been at +full strength, and a new network of strategic +railways would have enabled her to let loose +upon the two Germanic empires a vast flood +of fighting men drawn from the inexhaustible +reservoir of her population. The struggle with +the colossus of the North, despite the vaunted +technical superiority of the German army, +would in all likelihood have ended in the triumph +of overwhelming might. In the France +of 1917, again, the three years' term of service +would have begun to produce its full results, +and her first-line troops would have been both +more numerous and better trained than at +present.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, William II could cherish +no false hopes as to the consequences of this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +second pressure that he was bringing to bear +on St. Petersburg. Had it succeeded in 1914 +as in 1909, the encounter between Germany and +the great Slav Empire would only have been +put off to a later day, instead of being finally +shelved. How could the Tsar or the Russian +people have forgiven the Kaiser for humbling +them once more? If they had pocketed the +affront in silence, it would only have been in +order to bide their time for revenge, and they +would have chosen the moment when Russia, +in possession of all her resources, could have +entered upon the struggle with every chance of +winning.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">William +II and +Russia.</div> + +<p>Here an objection may be raised. The German +Emperor, some may hold, fancying that +the weight of his sword in the scale would +induce the Tsar to shrink from action, had +foreseen the anger of the Slav nation at its +sovereign's timorous scruples, and looked forward +to revolutionary outbreaks which would +cripple the Government for years to come and +make it unable to think of war, if indeed they +did not sweep the Romanoffs from the throne. +I would answer that this Machiavellian scheme +could never have entered the head of such a +ruler as William II, with his deep sense of +monarchial solidarity, and his instinctive horror +of anarchist outrages and of revolution.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Kaiser +eager to +act.</div> + +<p>No: the Emperor, together with the military +authorities whose advice he took, wished +to profit by a juncture which he had awaited +with longing, and which fickle Fortune might +never again offer to his ambition. Everything +proves it, down to his feverish haste, as soon as +M. Sazonoff's reply was conveyed to him, to +learn the intentions of England, and to suggest, +on that very day, a bargain that might +purchase her neutrality. This is why Herr von +Bethmann-Hollweg received orders to summon +the British Ambassador on the night of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +29th. The Emperor could not wait until the +following morning, so eager was he to act. Is +this impatience the mark of one who was the +victim of a concerted surprise? If he had not +wanted war, would he not have tried to resume +negotiations with Russia on a basis more in +keeping with her dignity as a Great Power, +however heavy a blow it was to his own pride +that he had failed to intimidate her?</p> + + +<h3>VII</h3> + +<p>The abortive efforts to overawe St. Petersburg +and the offers made to the British Ambassador, +as if Great Britain's inaction could +be sold to the highest bidder, brought results +that were not hard to foresee.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sir +Edward +Grey's +telegram.</div> + +<p>In London, Sir Edward Grey's indignation +found immediate vent in the following passage +of his telegram of July 30 to Sir Edward +Goschen: "It would be a disgrace for us to +make this bargain with Germany at the expense +of France—a disgrace from which the good +name of this country would never recover. The +Chancellor also in effect asks us to bargain +away whatever obligation or interest we have +as regards the neutrality of Belgium. We could +not entertain that bargain either."</p> + +<p>Through the brazen overtures of Herr von +Bethmann-Hollweg, however, the British Cabinet +henceforth came to occupy itself, before all +things, with the fate allotted to our country by +the Imperial Government in the war that it +was preparing. In order to tear off the mask +from German statesmanship, the surest method +was to ask it a straightforward question. On +July 31, Sir Edward Grey, following the example +of the Gladstone Ministry of 1870, inquired +both of Germany and France whether +they would respect the neutrality of Belgium.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +At the same time he gave Belgium to understand +that Britain counted on her doing her +utmost to maintain her neutrality.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Neutrality +of +Belgium.</div> + +<p>The answer of the Republican Government +was frank and unhesitating. It was resolved +to respect Belgian neutrality, and would only +act otherwise if the violation of that neutrality +by some other Power forced it to do so in self-defence.</p> + +<p>The Belgian Government, for its part, +hastened to assure the British Minister at +Brussels of its determination to resist with +might and main should its territory be invaded.</p> + +<p>At Berlin, however, the Foreign Secretary +eluded Sir Edward Goschen's questions. He +said that he must consult the Emperor and the +Chancellor. In his opinion, any answer would +entail the risk, in the event of war, of partly +divulging the plan of campaign. It seemed +doubtful to him, therefore, whether he would +be able to give a reply. This way of speaking +was perfectly clear in its ambiguity. It did +not puzzle Sir Edward Grey for a moment. On +the following day he declared to the German +Ambassador that the reply of the German Government +was a matter of very great regret. +Belgian neutrality, he pointed out, was highly +important in British eyes, and if Belgium was +attacked, it would be difficult to restrain public +feeling in his country.</p> + +<p>On the same day, August 1, in accordance +with instructions from my Government, I read +to the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (at +the same time giving him a copy) a dispatch +drafted beforehand and addressed to the Belgian +Ministers attached to the Powers that had +guaranteed our neutrality. This dispatch affirmed +that Belgium, having observed, with +scrupulous fidelity, the duties imposed on her +as a neutral State by the treaties of April 19, +1839, would manifest an unshaken purpose in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +fulfilling them; and that she had every hope, +since the friendly intentions of the Powers towards +her had been so often professed, of seeing +her territory secure from all assault, if +hostilities should arise near her frontiers. The +Belgian Government added that it had nevertheless +taken all the necessary steps for maintaining +its neutrality, but that, in so doing, it +had not been actuated by a desire to take part +in an armed struggle among the Powers, or +by a feeling of distrust towards any one of +them.</p> + +<p>Herr Zimmermann listened without a word +of comment to my reading of this dispatch, +which expressed the loyal confidence of my +Government in Germany's goodwill. He merely +took note of my communication. His silence +did not surprise me, for I had just learnt of +Herr von Jagow's evasive reply to the British +Government concerning Belgium; but it bore +out all my misgivings. His constrained smile, +by the way, told me quite as much as his refusal +to speak.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Russia +and +Germany +hasten +preparations.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Austria +mobilizes.</div> + +<p>From the 30th, Russia and Germany—as an +inevitable sequel to the conversations of the +29th—went forward actively with their military +preparations. What was the exact nature +of these preludes to the German mobilization? +It was impossible to gain any precise notion at +Berlin. The capital was rife with various +rumors that augured ill for the future. We +heard tell of regiments moving from the northern +provinces towards the Rhine. We learnt +that reservists had been instructed to keep +themselves in readiness for marching orders. +At the same time, postal communication with +Belgium and France had been cut off. At the +Wilhelmstrasse, the position was described to +me as follows: "Austria will reply to Russia's +partial mobilization with a general mobilization +of her army. It is to be feared that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +Russia will then mobilize her entire forces, +which will compel Germany to do the same." +As it turned out, a general mobilization was +indeed proclaimed in Austria on the night of +the 30th.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the peace <i>pourparlers</i> went on +between Vienna and St. Petersburg on the 30th +and 31st, although on the latter date Russia, +as Berlin expected, in answer both to the Austrian +and the German preparations, had mobilized +her entire forces. Even on the 31st these +discussions seemed to have some chance of attaining +their object. Austria was now more +accurately gauging the peril into which her +own blind self-confidence and the counsels of +her ally were leading her, and was pausing on +the brink of the abyss. The Vienna Cabinet +even consented to talk over the gist of its Note +to Serbia, and M. Sazonoff at once sent an encouraging +reply.</p> + +<p>It was desirable, he stated, that representatives +of all the Great Powers should confer +in London under the direction of the British +Government.</p> + +<p>Was a faint glimmer of peace, after all, +dawning above the horizon? Would an understanding +be reached, at the eleventh hour, +among the only States really concerned with +the Serbian question? We had reckoned without +our host. The German Emperor willed +otherwise. Suddenly, at the instance of the +General Staff, and after a meeting of the Federal +Council, as prescribed by the constitution, +he issued the decree of <i>Kriegsgefahrzustand</i> +(Imminence-of-War). This is the first phase +of a general mobilization—a sort of martial +law, substituting the military for the civil authorities +as regards the public services (means +of communication, post, telegraphs, and telephones).</p> + +<p>This momentous decision was revealed to us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +on the 31st by a special edition of the <i>Berliner +Lokalanzeiger</i>, distributed at every street +corner. The announcement ran as follows:</p> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap">Russia Wants War!</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"From official sources we have just received +(at 2 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>) the following report, pregnant with +consequences:</p> + +<p>"'The German Ambassador at St. Petersburg +sends us word to-day that a general mobilization +of the Russian Army and Navy had +previously been ordered. That is why His +Majesty the Emperor William has decreed an +Imminence-of-War. His Majesty will take up +his residence in Berlin to-day.'</p> + +<p>"Imminence-of-War is the immediate prelude +to a general mobilization, in answer to the +menace that already hangs over Germany to-day, +owing to the step taken by the Tsar."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Kaiser's +ultimatum +to Russia.</div> + +<p>As a drowning man catches at a straw, those +who in Berlin saw themselves, with horror, +faced by an impending catastrophe, clutched +at a final hope. The German general mobilization +had not yet been ordered. Who knew +whether, at the last moment, some happy inspiration +from the British Cabinet, that most +stalwart champion of peace, might cause the +weapons to drop from the hands that were +about to wield them? Once more, however, the +Emperor, by his swift moves, shattered this +fond illusion. On the 31st, at seven o'clock in +the evening, he dispatched to the Russian +Government a summons to demobilize both +on its Austrian and on its German frontiers. +An interval of twelve hours was given for +a reply.</p> + +<p>It was obvious that Russia, who had refused +two days before to cease from her military +preparations, would not accept the German<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +ultimatum, worded as it was in so dictatorial +a form and rendered still more insulting by +the briefness of the interval granted. As, however, +no answer had come from St. Petersburg +by the afternoon of August 1st, Herren von +Jagow and Zimmermann (so the latter informed +me) rushed to the Chancellor and the +Emperor, in order to request that the decree +for a general mobilization might at least be +held over until the following day. They supported +their plea by urging that the telegraphic +communication with St. Petersburg had presumably +been cut, and that this would explain +the silence of the Tsar. Perhaps they still +hoped against hope for a conciliatory proposal +from Russia. This was the last flicker of their +dying pacifism, or the last awakening of their +conscience. Their efforts could make no headway +against the stubborn opposition of the +War Minister and the army chiefs, who represented +to the Emperor the dangers of a twenty-four +hours' delay.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germany +mobilizes.</div> + +<p>The order for a mobilization of the army +and navy was signed at five o'clock in the +afternoon and was at once given out to the +public by a special edition of the <i>Lokalanzeiger</i>. +The mobilization was to begin on August 2nd. +On the 1st, at ten minutes past seven in the +evening, Germany's declaration of war was forwarded +to Russia.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Pretexts +given in +Germany.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Heroism +of France.</div> + +<p>As all the world knows, the Berlin Cabinet +had to resort to wild pretexts, such as the committing +of acts of hostility (so the military +authorities alleged) by French aviators on +Imperial soil, in order to find motives, two days +later, for its declaration of war on France. Although +Germany tried to lay the blame for +the catastrophe at Russia's door, it was in +reality her western <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'neighbor'">neighbour</ins> that she wished +to attack and annihilate first. On this point +there can be no possible doubt to-day. "Poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +France!" said the Berlin newspapers, with +feigned compassion. They acknowledged that +the conduct of the French Government throughout +the crisis had been irreproachable, and that +it had worked without respite for the maintenance +of peace. While her leaders fulfilled +this noble duty to mankind, France was offering +the world an impressive sight—the sight of +a nation looking calmly and without fear at a +growing peril that she had done nothing to conjure +up, and, regarding her word as her bond, +determined in cold blood to follow the destiny +of her ally on the field of battle. At the same +time she offered to Germany, who had foolishly +counted on her being torn by internal troubles +and political feuds, the vision of her children +closely linked together in an unconquerable resolve—the +resolve to beat back an iniquitous +assault upon their country. Nor was this the +only surprise that she held in store. With the +stone wall of her resistance, she was soon to +change the whole character of the struggle, +and to wreck the calculations of German +strategy.</p> + +<p>No one had laboured with more energy and +skill to quench the flames lit by Austria and +her ally than the representative of the Republic +at Berlin.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think M. Cambon's attitude +has been admirable?" remarked the British +Ambassador to me, in the train that was +whirling us far away from the German capital +on August 6th. "Throughout these terrible +days nothing has been able to affect his coolness, +his presence of mind, and his insight." +I cannot express my own admiration better +than by repeating this verdict of so capable a +diplomat as Sir Edward Goschen, who himself +took a most active part in the vain attempt +of the Triple Entente to save Europe from +calamity.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>VIII</h3> + +<div class="sidenote">Berlin +enthusiastic.</div> + +<p>The Berlin population had followed the various +phases of the crisis with tremendous interest, +but with no outward show of patriotic +fervour. Those fine summer days passed as +tranquilly as usual. Only in the evenings did +some hundreds of youths march along the highways +of the central districts, soberly singing +national anthems, and dispersing after a few +cries of "Hoch!" outside the Austro-Hungarian +and Italian Embassies and the Chancellor's +mansion.</p> + +<p>On August 2nd I watched the animation +of the Sunday crowd that thronged the broad +avenue of the Kurfürstendamm. It read attentively +the special editions of the newspapers, +and then each went off to enjoy his or +her favourite pastime—games of tennis for the +young men and maidens, long bouts of drinking +in the beer-gardens, for the more sedate +citizens with their families. When the Imperial +motor-car flashed like a streak of +lightning down Unter den Linden, it was hailed +with loud, but by no means frantic, cheers. It +needed the outcries of the Press against Russia +as the instigator of the war, the misleading +speeches of the Emperor and the Chancellor, +and the wily publications of the Government, +to kindle a patriotism rather slow to take +fire. Towards the close of my stay, feeling +displayed itself chiefly by jeers at the unfortunate +Russians who were returning post-haste to +their native country, and blackguardly behaviour +towards the staff of the Tsar's Ambassador +as he was leaving Berlin.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +people +deluded.</div> + +<p>That the mass of the German people, unaware +of Russia's peaceful intentions, should +have been easily deluded, is no matter for astonishment. +The upper classes, however, those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +of more enlightened intellect, cannot have been +duped by the official falsehoods. They knew as +well as we do that it was greatly to the advantage +of the Tsar's Government not to provoke +a conflict. In fact, this question is hardly +worth discussing. Once more we must repeat +that, in the plans of William II and his generals, +the Serbian affair was a snare spread for +the Northern Empire before the growth of its +military power should have made it an invincible +foe.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Uncertainty +regarding +Britain.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">England's +attitude.</div> + +<p>There is no gainsaying that uncertainty as to +Britain's intervention was one of the factors +that encouraged Germany. We often asked +ourselves anxiously at Berlin whether Germany's +hand would not have been stayed altogether +if the British Government had formally +declared that it would not hold aloof from the +war. We even hoped, for a brief moment, that +Sir Edward Grey would destroy the illusions +on which the German people loved to batten. +The British Foreign Secretary did indeed observe +to Prince Lichnowsky on July 29th that +the Austro-Serbian issue might become so great +as to involve all European interests, and that +he did not wish the Ambassador to be misled +by the friendly tone of their conversations into +thinking that Britain would stand aside. If at +the beginning she had openly taken her stand +by the side of her Allies, she might, to be sure, +have checked the fatal march of events. This, +at any rate, is the most widespread view, for +a maritime war certainly did not enter into the +calculations of the Emperor and Admiral von +Tirpitz, while it was the nightmare of the German +commercial world. In my opinion, however, +an outspoken threat from England on the +29th, a sudden roar of the British lion, would +not have made William II draw back. The +memory of Agadir still rankled in the proud +Germanic soul. The Emperor would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +risked losing all prestige in the eyes of a certain +element among his subjects if at the bidding +of the Anglo-Saxon he had refused to go +further, and had thus played into the hands of +those who charged him with conducting a +policy of mere bluff and intimidation. "Germany +barks but does not bite" was a current +saying abroad, and this naturally tended to exasperate +her. An ominous warning from the +lips of Sir Edward Grey would only have +served to precipitate the onslaught of the Kaiser's +armies, in order that the intervention of +the British fleet might have no influence on the +result of the campaign, the rapid and decisive +campaign planned at Berlin.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +opinion.</div> + +<p>We know, moreover, from the telegrams and +speeches of the British Foreign Minister, how +carefully he had to reckon with public feeling +among his countrymen in general and among +the majority in Parliament. A war in the Balkans +did not concern the British nation, and +the strife between Teuton and Slav left it cold. +It did not begin to be properly roused until it +grasped the reality of the danger to France's +very existence, and it did not respond warmly +to the eloquent appeals of Mr. Asquith and +Sir Edward Grey until the day when it knew +that the Germans were at the gates of Liège, +where they threatened both Paris and Antwerp—Antwerp, +"that pistol pointed at the +heart of England."</p> + +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>The National Review, June, 1916.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>With the failure of diplomatic efforts to prevent +war as a result of the deliberate intention +of Germany to bring about the conflict, the +great German war machine was put in motion. +It was anticipated by the General Staff that +the passage across Belgium would be effected +without difficulty and with the acquiescence +of King and people.</p> + +<p>How wrong was this judgment is one of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +curious facts of history. The Germans discovered +this error when their armies presented +themselves before the strong fortress of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Liege'">Liège</ins>, +the first fortified place in their path. Its capture +was necessary for the successful passage +of the German troops.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Importance +of +the delay.</div> + +<p>It was captured, but at a cost in time and in +their arrangement of plans which were a +great element in the great thrust—back at the +Marne.</p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE DEFENCE OF <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'LIEGE'">LIÈGE</ins></h2> + +<h3>CHARLES BRONNE</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">Germany +invades +Belgium.</div> + +<p>On Sunday, August 2nd, while the news +was going round that a train had entered +Luxembourg with German forces, +the German Minister at Brussels delivered an +ultimatum to Belgium demanding the free +passage through our territory of the German +armies. The following day, Monday, the Belgian +Government replied that the nation was +determined to defend its neutrality. The same +night the German advanced posts entered our +territory. Tuesday morning they were before +Visé, at Warsage, at Dolhain, and at Stavelot. +The bridges of Visé and Argenteau and the +tunnels of Troisponts and Nas-Proué were +blown up.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Atrocities +begin.</div> + +<p>From this day the atrocities committed by +the pioneers of German "Kultur" began at Visé +with fire and the massacre of inhabitants. On +Thursday, they were to continue at Warsage +and Berneau. On Wednesday, August 5th, the +investment of Liège began, the bombardment +being specially directed to the north-west sector +which comprises the forts of Evegnée, Barchon, +and Fléron. In the afternoon the attack extended +as far as the fort of Chaudfontaine. +The region attacked by the foe was thus that +between the Meuse and the Vesdre, the beautiful +country of Herve, where cornfields are followed +by vineyards, where meadowland encroaches +on the sides of narrow but picturesque +valleys, where small but thick woods conceal +the number of the assailants. It was found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +necessary to destroy some prosperous little +farms, several country houses, and pretty villas. +This was but a prelude to the devastation +brought by the soldiers of the Kaiser.</p> + + + +<p>The enemy was in force. Later it was known +that around Liège were the 10th Prussian Army +Corps from Aix-la-Chapelle on the way to Visé, +the 7th Corps, which had passed through the +Herve country, the 8th, which had entered +through Stavelot, and also a brigade of the 11th +Corps, making up a total of about 130,000 men.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Forts of +Liège.</div> + +<p>To resist these forces, General Leman had +forts more than twenty-four years old and +30,000 men: the 3rd division of the army increased +by the 15th mixed brigade, <i>i.e.</i>, the 9th, +11th, 12th, and 14th of the line, a part of the +2nd Lancers, a battalion of the 1st Carabineers, +and the Divisional Artillery.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Thursday, August 6th, was rich in moving +incidents.</p> + +<p>While the enemy were in force before Barchon, +in a night attack, an attempt was made +on General Leman. The story has been variously +told. Here is the true version.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +spies.</div> + +<p>The enemy's spies, so numerous in Liège, had +been able to give the most exact information +regarding the installation of the General Staff +in the Rue Sainte Foy. They were quite aware +that for a week the defender of Liège had only +been taking two or three hours' rest in his +office, so as to be more easily in telephonic communication +with the forts and garrison. These +offices in the Rue Sainte Foy were very badly +situated, at the extreme end of the northern +quarter, and were defended only by a few +gendarmes. General Leman had been warned, +however, and the King himself had at last persuaded +him to take some precautions against a +possible attempt. He had finally given way to +this advice, and a rudimentary structure, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +a sure one, fitted with electric light and telephone, +was being set up under the railway tunnel +near the Palais station.</p> + +<p>This was, then, the last night the General +would pass at Rue Sainte Foy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Leman in +danger.</div> + +<p>Towards half-past four in the morning a +body of a hundred men descended from the +heights of Tawes. Whence did they come? +How had they been able to penetrate into the +town? Some have said that they dressed in +Liège itself. In reality, they represented themselves +to the advanced posts of the fort of +Pontisse as being Englishmen come to the aid +of Liège, and asked to be conducted to the General +Staff. They were soldiers of a Hanoverian +regiment, and bore upon their sleeves a blue +band with the word "Gibraltar." This contributed +in no small degree to cause them to +be taken for British sharpshooters. They were +preceded by a spy who had put on the Belgian +uniform of the 11th of the line and who seemed +to know the town very well. At Thier-à-Liège, +they stopped a moment to drink at a wine-shop +and then went on. They were more than a +hundred in number and were preceded by two +officers. A detachment of Garde Civique, posted +at the gas factory of the Rue des Bayards, did +not consider it their duty to interfere. A few +individuals accompanied the troop, crying +"Vive les Anglais." A few passers-by, better-aware +of the situation, protested. The troop +continued its imperturbable march. The officers +smiled. Thus they arrived at Rue Sainte Foy +where, as we have said, the offices of the General +Staff of General Leman were installed.</p> + +<p>A German officer asked of the sentinel on the +door an interview with General Leman. The +officers of the latter, who now appeared, understood +the ruse at once, and drew their revolvers. +Shots were exchanged. One of the +officers, Major Charles Marchand, a non-commissioned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +officer of gendarmes, and several +gendarmes were killed. The Germans attempted +to enter the offices, of which the door +had been closed. They fired through the windows, +and even attempted to attack the house +by scaling the neighbouring walls. General +Leman, who was working, ran out on hearing +the first shots. He was unarmed. He demanded +a revolver. Captain Lebbe, his aide-de-camp, +refused to allow him to expose himself uselessly, +and begged him to keep himself for the +defence of Liège. He even used some violence +to his chief, and pushed him towards the low +door which separated the house from the courtyard +of a neighbouring cannon foundry. With +the help of another officer, the captain placed +his General in safety. While this was happening, +the alarm had been given, and the Germans, +seeing that their attempt to possess +themselves of the person of General Leman had +failed, retired. The guard, which comprised +some fifty men, fired repeatedly on the retreating +party. Some fifty Germans, including a +standard-bearer and a drummer, were killed. +Others were made prisoners.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Leman in +Fort +Loncin.</div> + +<p>The General retired to the citadel of Sainte +Walburge, and later to the fort of Loncin. +From there he followed the efforts of the enemy +attacking anew the north-east and south-east +sectors. The environs of Fort Boncelles are +as difficult to defend as those of the Barchon-Evegnée-Fléron +front. There is first the discovered +part which surrounds what remains of +the unfortunate village of Boncelles, which the +Belgians themselves were forced to destroy to +free their field of fire, but for the rest, there +are only woods, that of Plainevaux, which +reaches to the Ourthe, Neuville, and Vecquée +woods, that of Bégnac, which continues Saint +Lambert wood as far as Trooz and the Meuse.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Belgian +troops +fight +heroically.</div> + +<p>Every place here swarmed with Germans,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +40,000 at least, an army corps which had spent +a day and a night in fortifying themselves, and +had been able to direct their artillery towards +Plainevaux, to the north of Neuville, and upon +the heights of Ramet. Thirty thousand men at +least would have been needed to defend this +gap and less than 15,000 were available. A +similar attack was delivered at the same time +between the Meuse and the Vesdre. On both +sides miracles of heroism were performed, but +the enemy poured on irresistibly. They were +able to pass, on the one side, Val Saint Lambert, +on the other, between Barchon and the +Meuse, between Evegnée and Fléron. Fighting +took place well into the night, the enemy being +repulsed at Boncelles twice. The following +morning I saw pieces of German corpses. The +Belgian artillery had made a real carnage, and +no smaller number of victims fell in the bayonet +charges. The 9th and the Carabineers, who +had fought the day before at Barchon, were +present here.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Retreat +ordered.</div> + +<p>In the other sector, the soldiers of the 12th +of the line particularly behaved like heroes. +The battle began towards two o'clock in the +morning at Rétinne where, after prodigies of +valour and a great slaughter of the enemy, the +Belgian troops were forced to retire. The +struggle continued at Saine and at Queue du +Bois. Here Lieutenant F. Bronne and forty of +his men fell while covering the retreat. In +spite of such devotion and of a bravery that +will not be denied, the enemy passed through. +Why? Some troops surrendered with their +officers, who were afterwards set free upon +parole at Liège. But this was only a very +small exception, and it was under the pressure +of an enemy four times as numerous that the +3rd division succumbed after three days of repeated +fighting, during which the soldiers were +compelled to make forced marches from one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +sector to another, and stop the rest of the time +in the trenches fighting. The enemy's losses +were 5,000 killed and 30,000 wounded.</p> + +<p>General Leman considered that he had obtained +from his troops the maximum effort of +which they were capable and ordered a retreat. +It was executed in good order, and the enemy +had suffered so severely that they did not dream +of pursuit. They contented themselves with +pushing forward as far as the plateau of Saint-Tilman +(close to Boncelles) and that of +Robermont (behind Fléron) some cannons of +15, which had bombarded the town the first +time on Thursday, August 6th, at four o'clock +in the morning. No German troops, except +some 200 men who entered as prisoners, penetrated +into the town on this day.</p> + +<p>Although this retreat left behind a few men +with several guns, it may be said to have been +effected in good order. I was able to see that +for myself in passing through with the troops, +from the fifth limit of the Saint Trond route, +near Fort Loncin, up to the centre of the town. +The auto in which I was seated was able to +pass easily.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Refugees.</div> + +<p>The terrified population from Bressoux began +to arrive. There were people half-dressed, but +who carried some object which to them seemed +the most precious, sometimes a simple portrait +of a loved one. Others drove cattle before +them. The men carried children, while women +followed painfully loaded with household +goods. Mixed up with them were the Garde +Civique. It had just been assembled and informed +that it was disbanded, and a certain +number of them had told the inhabitants that +the Prussians were coming, and that there was +nothing better to do than for everyone to bolt +himself in. The cannon had thundered all +night. The citizens of Liège had found in their +letter-boxes a warning from the burgomaster<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +concerning the behaviour of the inhabitants in +case of the town being occupied by the enemy. +This urgent notice, distributed the night before +between 9 and 11 p.m., foreshadowed an imminent +occupation. The hasty flight of the +people of Bressoux stopped when they had +crossed the Meuse; but as the bombardment recommenced +towards noon, fright again seized +on the population. The bombardment lasted +till two. Some thirty shells fell on different +parts of the town.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bridge of +Arches +destroyed.</div> + +<p>At half-past twelve a dull noise was heard as +far as the furthest fort; it was the old Bridge +of Arches which gave way, towards the left +bank. The engineers had just blown it up. It +seemed wiser to destroy the bridge at Val +Bénoit, which left the Germans railway communication. +But no one thought of this; or +rather, orders to that effect were not given by +the higher authorities. This was afterwards +to cause the degradation to the ranks of the +chief officer of engineers who was responsible +for this unpardonable lapse.</p> + +<p>The second bombardment lasted till two +o'clock. Several projectiles now fell upon the +citadel, where everything was in readiness to +set fire to the provisions and munitions which +remained there along with some unserviceable +cannon, generally used in the training of the +Garde Civique. By 10 a.m. the citadel had +been evacuated, only very few persons remaining, +among them a major, who hastily hoisted +the white flag.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +envoys in +Liège.</div> + +<p>Burgomaster Kleyer awaited developments at +the Town Hall. At half-past three, he received +envoys, who demanded the surrender of the +town and forts. Put into communication with +General Leman, who was all the time at Loncin +with his Staff, he informed him that if the forts +persisted in their resistance, the town would +be bombarded a third time. General Leman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +replied that the threat was an idle one, that it +would be a cruel massacre, but that the higher +interests of Belgium compelled him to impose +this sacrifice on the town of Liège.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bombardment +of +Liège.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Gloomy +aspect +of the +town.</div> + +<p>At 9 p.m. fresh shells fell on different parts +of the city and caused more damage if not more +victims. This bombardment lasted till 2 a.m. +It recommenced at intervals of half-an-hour, +and caused two fires, one in Rue de Hanque, +and the other in Rue de la Commune. After +midday, the streets were deserted and all dwelling +houses closed. In the afternoon a convoy +of Germans taken prisoners were seen to pass +along the boulevards, and were then shut up +in the Royal Athenæum. Then there was an +interminable defile of autos and carts conveying +both German and Belgian wounded, especially +the former, those who came from Boncelles +more particularly. Bodies of stragglers +re-entered Liège slowly, ignorant of what had +happened, as they were either untouched by the +order to retire, or had been forgotten in the +advanced posts or in the trenches. They were +very tired and hardly had the courage to accelerate +their pace, except when the few passers-by +explained the position in a couple of words. +The aspect of the town was very gloomy, and +the only places where any animation was to be +seen were around Guillemins station, where +trains full of fugitives were leaving for Brussels, +the West quarter, towards which the last +of the retiring companies were marching, and +the North, where many were still ignorant of +this movement.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +enter +Liège.</div> + +<p>On Friday, August 7th, at 3 a.m., the bombardment +of Liège began again, chiefly directed +against the citadel, where only a few soldiers +now remained. These evacuated the place after +setting fire to some provisions they were unable +to carry off. The population passed +through hours of anguish, which were destined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +not to be the last. Everybody took refuge in +the cellars. Some people lived there for several +days in fear that a shell might fall upon their +house. On this Friday the Germans penetrated +into the town at five o'clock in the morning by +the different bridges which had remained intact. +They came in through Jupille and Bois +de Breux chiefly. They seemed tired and, above +all, hungry. Leaving detachments in the Place +de Bavière and near the bridges, they successively +occupied the Provincial Palace and the +citadel.</p> + +<p>Count Lammsdorf, Chief of the Staff of the +10th Corps, Commander of the Army of the +Meuse, arrested Burgomaster Kleyer at the +Town Hall, and conducted him to the citadel, +where he at first made him a rather reassuring +communication as to the fate of the town.... +He then spoke anew and said that he understood +all the forts would surrender, in default +of which the bombardment would recommence. +M. Kleyer vainly protested against a measure +so contrary to the laws both of war and of +humanity. He was simply authorized to pass +through the German lines with a safe conduct, +to discuss the matter with General Leman, or +even with the King himself.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Burgomaster's +task.</div> + +<p>This task of the burgomaster of Liège was a +heavy one, and terrible was the expectant attitude +of the German authorities. Later, some +people have discussed the attitude he should +have taken up and conceived the nature of +what should have been his reply; they would +have desired words of defiance on his lips and +an immediate answer.</p> + +<p>He lacked courage for this, and who will dare +to-day to blame him for the immense anxiety +he felt on hearing of the horrible fate with +which his beloved town and his unhappy fellow-citizens +were threatened?</p> + +<p>He gathered together at the Town Hall several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +communal and provincial deputies, some +deputies and senators. The general opinion +at the beginning of the discussion was that it +was necessary to obtain the surrender of the +forts. Someone pointed out that there was +not much likelihood of getting this decision +from General Leman, who had already pronounced +himself upon that question, and +thought it would be necessary to continue the +work heroically begun of arresting the progress +of the invader, and that the forts, all intact, +would powerfully contribute to that end.</p> + +<p>It was finally decided to approach General +Leman again with a message which was entrusted +to the burgomaster, the Bishop of Liège, +and M. Gaston Grégoire, permanent deputy. +These gentlemen repaired to the citadel in +search of the promised safe conduct. They were +met there, according to the demand of Count +Lammsdorf, by some prominent Liège citizens, +to whom he had expressed his desire to explain +the situation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Hostages +to the +Germans.</div> + +<p>At the moment the three delegates were about +to depart on their mission, with a good faith +upon which it would be foolish to insist, the +German commander declared that all the persons +present were detained as hostages. He +gave as a specious pretext for this violation +of right that some German soldiers had been +killed by civilians in some neighbouring villages, +and that the hostages would enable the +Germans to guard against the repetition of +such acts, the more so as they were prepared +to make a striking example at the beginning +of the campaign.</p> + +<p>All the Liège citizens who had entered the +citadel on this day were kept there till the next +day, Saturday. Moreover, the following persons +were retained as responsible hostages for +three days: 1. Mgr. Rutien, Bishop of Liège; +2. M. Kleyer, Burgomaster of Liège; 3. M.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +Grégoire, Permanent Deputy; 4. M. Armand +Flechet, Senator; 5. Senator Van Zuylen; 6. +Senator Edouard Peltzer; 7. Senator Colleaux; +8. Deputy De Ponthière; 9. Deputy Van Hoegaerden; +10. M. Falloise, Alderman.</p> + +<p>The hostages were shut up in damp case-mates, +palliasses were given them for the night +and, as food, the first day each one had half a +loaf and some water. The burgomaster and the +bishop were, however, allowed to go about their +duties after they had given their parole to remain +at the disposal of the German military +authorities.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Last +train for +Brussels.</div> + +<p>The same day at 9 a.m. the last train left +Liège for Brussels with numbers of fugitives. +The number of persons who abandoned Liège +and its suburbs may be calculated at some five +thousand. From this moment and for several +days Liège was absolutely cut off from the rest +of the world, all communications having been +cut.</p> + +<p>On Saturday, August 8th, while the Germans +were methodically organising the occupation +of Liège, Burgomaster Kleyer was authorised +to wait upon the King, in order to discuss the +surrender of the forts. Furnished with a safe +conduct and accompanied by a German officer, +he reached Waremme early in the afternoon, +and placed himself in communication with the +General Staff. The King was consulted, and +the reply brought back to Liège was the one +the mayor had foreseen.</p> + +<p>The same day saw the appearance of the following +order of the day addressed to the +soldiers of the army of Liège:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Our comrades of the 3rd Army Division +and of the 15th mixed brigade are about to re-enter +our lines, after having defended, like +heroes, the fortified position of Liège.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The King +encourages +the +army.</div> + +<p>"Attacked by forces four times as numerous,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +they have repulsed all assaults. None of the +forts have been taken; the town of Liège is +always in our power. Standards and a number +of prisoners are the trophies of these combats. +In the name of the Nation I salute you, officers +and soldiers of the 3rd Army Division and the +15th mixed brigade.</p> + +<p>"You have done your duty, done honour to +our arms, shown the enemy what it costs to attack +unjustly a peaceable people, but one who +wields in its just cause an invincible weapon. +The Fatherland has the right to be proud of +you.</p> + +<p>"Soldiers of the Belgian Army, do not forget +that you are in the van of immense armies in +this gigantic struggle, and that you await but +the arrival of our brothers-in-arms in order to +march to victory. The whole world has its eyes +fixed upon you. Show it by the vigour of your +blows that you mean to live free and independent.</p> + +<p>"France, that noble country which has +throughout history been associated with just +and generous causes, is hurrying to our aid +and her armies will enter our territory.</p> + +<p>"In your name I address them a fraternal +salute.</p> + +<div class='sig'><span class="smcap">Albert.</span>"<br /> +</div></div> + +<div class="sidenote">German +precautions.</div> + +<div class="sidenote"> +Barricades +constructed.</div> + +<p>On this day the Germans, who were not yet +sure as to the intentions of the Belgian field +army, and who feared a possible offensive on +the part of the French advanced guards, put +Liège in a state of defence. Moreover, they +distrusted the civilian population, and fortified +themselves in the town itself. They placed machine +guns at the head of the bridges, and upon +one of them, Boverie, which they feared might +be blown up, or might be bombarded by the +forts, they placed a curtained recess in which +they shut up several citizens. They caused +the soldiers to occupy Quai des Pêcheurs, Quai<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +l'Industrie, and the houses in proximity to the +bridge, after clearing out the occupants. They +placed bags of earth in the windows, behind +which were installed machine guns. In the +arteries leading to La Hesbaye and La Campine, +and in the streets of the latter, they +erected barricades, and installed themselves in +the riverside houses. These labours continued +during several days on the heights of Saint +Nicholas and Hollogne, while the soldiers of +the 10th Corps installed themselves on the +plateau of Cointe, the General Staff having +taken possession there of a convent, although +this had been transformed into a hospital. In +the town, the German troops, delayed for a +short time by the necessity of carrying off their +dead, shifting their wounded, and of taking a +much-needed rest, entered in large numbers. +They occupied the different stations, that of +Ans on the Herbignon plateau being the last +one where they established themselves.</p> + +<p>On Sunday, September 6th, there were at +Liège more than 100,000 Germans. On this +day, at one o'clock in the afternoon, the hostages +were given their unconditional liberty. +On the same date, in the neighbourhood of +Landen, the King, accompanied by the General +Staff, reviewed the valiant and now reconstituted +3rd Division, reconstituted in spite of +the heavy losses in officers suffered by certain +regiments. General Leman received from M. +Schollaert, President of the Belgian Chamber, +the following telegram: "With a heart overflowing +with enthusiasm and patriotic pride, +I acclaim the glorious defender of Liège."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"> +Praise for +defense of +the city.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">President +Poincaré +honors +General +Leman.</div> + +<p>With reference to the defence of Liège, letters, +despatches, and addresses of felicitation +were received at Brussels from the Presidents +of the French Chamber and the French Senate, +from the Paris Municipal Council, and other +French municipalities, words of friendship and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +encouragement were pronounced later in the +British Parliament, while the King of the Belgians +received the congratulations of King +George, the Tsar, and the President of the +French Republic. Finally, M. Poincaré sent +him the most envied of distinctions, the military +medal. The resistance of Liège had everywhere +aroused grateful enthusiasm, for the +days, and even the hours gained from the invader +were now of inestimable value. But +while the twelve forts were not yet to harass, +as they could, the progress of the enemy, Liège, +whose hatred of the Prussian is ingrained, was +to pay dearly for the resistance it had made, +and its heart was to suffer cruelly over the +vexations of which it was to be the object, while +awaiting pillage and burning.</p> + +<p>Here we enter upon a new period, which cannot, +however, be separated from the siege of +Liège, for at this time the forts still held out.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +twelve +forts.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Forts +on the +banks +of the +Meuse.</div> + +<p>The forts still held out, but the resistance of +their garrisons had to be heroic. The defences +crumbled quite rapidly. We should not be surprised +at this, but should rather remember that +these forts were more than twenty years old. +Their construction began in 1889, and their +armament, though modified later in certain details, +was not capable of resisting the heavy +artillery of the Germans. Liège was defended +by twelve forts, large and small. The most +important works were Barchon, Fléron, Boncelles, +Flémalle, Loncin, and Pontisse. These +forts possessed five large cupolas and three or +four small ones. They were armed with two +guns of 15 centimetres, four of 12, two howitzers +of 21, and three or four guns of 5'7, ten +more of 5'7 flanking the ditches. The little +forts counted upon four large and three or four +small cupolas. They were armed with two +pieces of 15, two of 12, a howitzer of 21, three +or four guns, without cupola, of 5'7, and of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +seven or eight commanding the ditches. The +forts are arranged around Liège in the following +order:—On the left bank of the Meuse: +Flémalle, Hollogne, Loncin, Lantin, and Pontisse. +On the right bank, between the Meuse +and the Vesdre: Barchon, Evegnée, and Fléron. +Between the Vesdre and the Ourthe: Chaudfontaine +and Embourg. Between the Ourthe +and the Meuse: Boncelles. The forts are four +kilometres apart, except Flémalle-Boncelles +and Embourg-Pontisse, which are six kilometres +apart, while Chaudfontaine and Embourg +are only two kilometres from one another. +The forts are eight kilometres from the +limits of the town. The forts of Hollogne, +Loncin, Lantin, and Liers are in grassy country. +Boncelles is nearly completely surrounded +by woods; Embourg and Chaudfontaine dominate +the deep and winding valleys of the +Ourthe and the Vesdre. Pontisse, Flémalle, +and Barchon, commanding the Meuse, are on +broken ground. This last-named fort, with +Evegnée and Fléron, holds the most important +strategic position in the Herve country, facing +the German frontier, in a land cut up by +meadows planted with trees and by little +woods, traversed by many vales, not very deep, +but winding.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">War +conditions +changed.</div> + +<p>It is known that in the Brialmont project +the intervening spaces were to be defended and +fortified with siege artillery. To tell the truth, +the eminent military engineer, in the pamphlets +where he set out the project, only allowed for +a small mobile garrison, but he confessed later +that the difficulties which he knew he would +meet with in the Belgian Parliament over the +credits for the fortifications made him underestimate +the number of men required. Besides +which, the conditions of war have been greatly +modified during the twenty-five years which +have passed, owing to the increased power of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +siege guns. So that it may be laid down that +80,000, if not 100,000, men were needed to properly +defend the entrenched camp of Liège.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Troops +in the +forts.</div> + +<p>As for the forts, they were each occupied by +a battery of artillery (250 men) and three companies +(120 men), a total of 370 men. About +4,500 artillerymen for the twelve forts.</p> + +<p>General Leman was shut up in Loncin, one +of the chief forts, which commanded the road +towards Waremme and Brussels. He had sent +away all his General Staff with the division, +in spite of the supplications of his officers, who +begged to be allowed to share his fate. He +continued to direct the longest resistance possible. +The enemy was anxious to cut all the +communications between the forts, but soldiers +volunteered for carrying messages to the different +commanders. Several succeeded, but many +were killed, for the investment became steadily +tightened. Indeed, certain gaps, where the +ground was most broken, could not be swept +by the guns from the forts, and, under cover +of the night, troops ensconced themselves there +comfortably. Moreover, the Germans, having +received reinforcements and heavy artillery, +undertook the siege systematically, first of +Barchon, which it was unable to take by storm +any more than Boncelles, but which it subjected +to a formidable deluge of shells. Barchon +could only reply haphazard to heavy guns the +position of which it could not tell. It was, indeed, +deprived of its observation posts, and +was in the position of a blind man desperately +parrying the blows of an adversary who could +see where to strike.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Fort +Barchon +taken.</div> + +<p>The struggle was not for long, and the fort, +reduced to impotence, left a wide breach +through which the invader scrambled. Through +there he could also introduce his heavy siege +guns, howitzers of 28, and even pieces of 42 +cms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Forty-two +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'centimeter'">centimetre</ins> +guns.</div> + +<p>The enemy then followed a tactic which was +to succeed rapidly. He attacked the different +fortifications in a reverse way. Thus Loncin, +Lantin, Liers, and Pontisse were bombarded +by batteries placed in the citadel itself and to +which the Belgians could not reply without +shelling the town and doing frightful damage. +A battery was also placed in a bend of ground +up Rue Naniot, under the "Tomb," where some +of those who fell in 1830 are buried, but it was +discovered and had to be withdrawn. Forts +Boncelles and Embourg were attacked by guns +placed on the hill at Tilff, a pretty village, +which would have been completely destroyed +had the firing been responded to. Finally, +along the line of the plateau of Herve, no +longer dominated by Barchon and Fléron, now +destroyed, the enemy was able to bring into +the very centre of the town four of those +howitzers of 42 cms. which were later to bombard +Namur, Maubeuge, and Antwerp.</p> + +<p>The following are the dates on which the different +forts succumbed: Barchon and Evegnée +fell on August 9th. Right from the 5th they +had not ceased to be the object of continual attacks. +They had valiantly resisted repeated +assaults and field artillery. The heavy pieces +poured in a hurricane of fire.</p> + +<p>Pontisse, which had so usefully barred the +passage of the enemy below Visé, did not give +way till the 12th. On the 13th Embourg surrendered +after a twenty-six hours' bombardment.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Forts +yield one +by one.</div> + +<p>The same day saw the fall of Chaudfontaine +and Nameche, where two accidents happened +worthy of being related. A shell burst on a +cupola gun as it was finishing its movement +after being loaded. The whole gun was shattered +and ten men were wounded. A little +while after, a shell entered the fort through +the embrasure and set fire to the powder magazine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +One hundred and ten artillerymen were +terribly burned, fifty dying upon the spot. The +14th saw the fall of Boncelles, Liers, and +Fléron. Boncelles from the 5th had offered an +admirable resistance. Commandant Lefert had +been wounded on the 8th, when 200 Germans, +presenting themselves to surrender, treacherously +fired upon him. Suffering greatly, he +none the less went on directing the defence +until his officers met together in a kind of +council of war, and had him taken away in an +ambulance. The unfortunate man was seized +by a fever and became delirious. Boncelles +was bombarded unceasingly for a whole day +and the following morning. It was nearly destroyed, +and may be considered as the fort which +was the centre of the worst carnage of German +soldiers. The enormous heaps of dead buried +around it bear witness to the fact. Liers was +put out of action by guns installed at Sainte +Walburge.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Loncin +and +Lantin +fall.</div> + +<p>To get the better of the obstinate resistance +of Fléron (Commandant Mozin), the Germans +united twenty guns by an electric battery and +fired them all off at the same time upon the +fort, which trembled in its massive foundations. +No one can have an idea of how demoralising +this rain of projectiles was. On the 15th, Loncin +and Lantin fell, the defenders firing until +they were overcome by asphyxia. On the 16th, +it was the turn of Flémalle, and on the 18th, +of Hollogne.</p> + +<p>We know that it was at Loncin, which +dominated the roads of La Hesbaye, where +General Leman was shut up. Commandant +Naessens and Lieutenant Monard had the honour +of defending the fort under the General's +eyes. Electrified by the presence of the governor +of the fortress, the soldiers of Loncin wrote +with their blood the most heroic page of the +heroic defence of Liège. Commandant Naessens<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +modestly narrated the story when he had +been wounded and transported to the military +hospital of Saint Laurent. General Leman has +also <i>résuméd</i> the different phases of the attack, +while a prisoner at Magdeburg. We will listen +to his clear and crisp recital.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Leman's +story.</div> + +<p>He distinguishes four periods during the +bombardment. The first commenced on August +14th at 4.15 p.m. The shell fire, directed with +great exactitude, lasted two hours without interruption. +After a break of half-an-hour, +some 21-centimetre guns opened fire. All night, +at intervals of ten minutes, they rained shells +upon the fort, causing it considerable damage. +The escarpment was damaged, the protecting +walls of the left flank battery destroyed, and +the shutters of the windows pierced. Another +unfavourable circumstance was that all the +places of the escarpment where shelter could +be obtained were full of smoke from the shells +which had burst either in the protecting wall +or in the ditches. The deleterious gases rendered +it impossible to stand in the covered +places, and forced the General to assemble the +garrison in the interior and in the gallery. +Even in these refuges the stupefying effects of +the gases allowed themselves to be felt, and +weakened the fighting value of the garrison.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Horrors +of the +bombardments.</div> + +<p>The third period of bombardment began on +the 15th at 5.30 a.m. and continued until two +o'clock in the afternoon. The projectiles +caused fearful havoc. The vault of the commanding +post, where General Leman was present +with his two adjutants, was subjected to +furious shocks, and the fort trembled to its +foundations. Towards two o'clock, a lull occurred +in the firing, and the general took advantage +of it to inspect the fort. He found +part of it completely in ruins.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Currents +of poisonous +gas.</div> + +<p>The fourth period is described as follows: +"It was two o'clock when the bombardment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +recommenced with a violence of which no idea +can be given. It seemed to us as if the German +batteries were firing salvoes. When the +large shells fell we heard the hissing of the air, +which gradually increased into a roar like a +furious hurricane, and which finished by a sudden +noise of thunder. At a certain moment of +this formidable bombardment, I wished to +reach the commanding post in order to see what +was happening, but at the end of a few paces +in the gallery I was knocked down by a shock +of violent air and fell face forward. I got up +and wished to continue my way, but I was held +back by a current of poisonous air which invaded +the whole space. It was a mixture of the +gas from the exploded powder and of the smoke +of a fire which had started in the rooms of the +troops where furniture and bedding were kept.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The fort +blown up.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Leman a +prisoner.</div> + +<p>"We were thus driven back to the place +whence we had come, but the air had become +unbreathable. We were near to being asphyxiated +when my adjutant, Major Collard, had +the idea of taking off the top of the shutter, +which gave us a little air. I was, however, +obsessed by the idea of placing part of the +garrison in safety, and I told my comrade I +desired to reach the counter-escarpment. I +managed to pass the gap and reach the ditch, +which I crossed. What was my amazement +when I perceived that the fort was blown up, +and that the front was strewn with ruins, forming +a quay reaching from the escarpment to +the counter-escarpment. Some soldiers were +running to and fro upon it. I took them for +Belgian gendarmes and called to them. But +I was being suffocated, giddiness seized upon +me, and I fell to the ground. When I came to, +I found myself in the midst of my comrades, +who tried to come to my aid. Among them was +a German major, who gave me a glass of water +to drink. As I learnt afterwards, it was then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +about 6.30 p.m. I was placed in an ambulance +carriage and transported to Liège.</p> + +<p>"I was taken, but I had not yet surrendered."</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>English Review, April, 1915.</small></div> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="sidenote">Surrender +of Namur.</div> + +<p>Following the capture of Liège the German +armies made rapid progress through Belgium. +After several sharp engagements with Belgian +troops, which resisted with heroic tenacity, the +Germans on August 19 took Louvain, and +then began the deliberate system of atrocities +which horrified the civilized world. The most +valuable parts of the city, including many +beautiful and important edifices, were burned, +citizens were killed and tortured, and the utmost +brutality was practiced, under the excuse +that German troops had been fired upon by +citizens of the town. On August 17 Brussels +had been abandoned by the Belgian Government +which withdrew to Antwerp. The former +city was surrendered without resistance. In +the meantime the French had hurried their +armies to assist the Belgian forces and, joined +by the available troops of the English Expeditionary +Force, they encountered the Germans +at Charleroi. On August 23 the great +fortress of Namur was surrendered under the +fire of the heavy German artillery, and on the +following day, the Allied armies were defeated +at Charleroi, and began the Great Retreat toward +Paris which was to continue to the banks +of the Marne. The French armies were under +the command of General Joffre, while Sir John +French commanded the British Expeditionary +Force. In the following narrative General +French describes the heroic performances of +his gallant troops during the terrible ordeal.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE GREAT RETREAT</h2> + +<h3>SIR JOHN FRENCH</h3> + + +<p>The transport of the troops from England +both by sea and by rail was effected in the +best order and without a check. Each +unit arrived at its destination in this country +well within the scheduled time.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Disposition +of +British +forces.</div> + +<p>The concentration was practically complete +on the evening of Friday, September 21st, and +I was able to make dispositions to move the +force during Saturday, the 22d, to positions I +considered most favorable from which to commence +operations which the French Commander +in Chief, General Joffre, requested me +to undertake in pursuance of his plans in prosecution +of the campaign.</p> + +<p>The line taken up extended along the line of +the canal from Condé on the west, through +Mons and Binche on the east. This line was +taken up as follows:</p> + +<p>From Condé to Mons inclusive was assigned +to the Second Corps, and to the right of the +Second Corps from Mons the First Corps was +posted. The Fifth Cavalry Brigade was placed +at Binche.</p> + +<p>In the absence of my Third Army Corps I +desired to keep the cavalry division as much +as possible as a reserve to act on my outer +flank, or move in support of any threatened +part of the line. The forward reconnoissance +was intrusted to Brigadier General +Sir Philip Chetwode with the Fifth Cavalry +Brigade, but I directed General Allenby to +send forward a few squadrons to assist in +this work.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Advance +on Soignies.</div> + +<p>During the 22d and 23d these advanced +squadrons did some excellent work, some of +them penetrating as far as Soignies, and several +encounters took place in which our troops +showed to great advantage.</p> + +<p>2. At 6 A. M. on August 23, I assembled the +commanders of the First and Second Corps and +cavalry division at a point close to the position +and explained the general situation of the +Allies, and what I understood to be General +Joffre's plan. I discussed with them at some +length the immediate situation in front of us.</p> + +<p>From information I received from French +Headquarters I understood that little more +than one, or at most two, of the enemy's army +corps, with perhaps one cavalry division, were +in front of my position; and I was aware of +no attempted outflanking movement by the +enemy. I was confirmed in this opinion by the +fact that my patrols encountered no undue opposition +in their reconnoitring operations. The +observations of my aeroplanes seemed also to +bear out this estimate.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attack +on Mons +line.</div> + +<p>About 3 P. M. on Sunday, the 23d, reports +began coming in to the effect that the enemy +was commencing an attack on the Mons line, +apparently in some strength, but that the right +of the position from Mons and Bray was being +particularly threatened.</p> + +<p>The commander of the First Corps had +pushed his flank back to some high ground +south of Bray, and the Fifth Cavalry Brigade +evacuated Binche, moving slightly south; the +enemy thereupon occupied Binche.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"> +Germans +gain +passages +of the +Sambre.</div> + +<p>The right of the Third Division, under General +Hamilton, was at Mons, which formed a +somewhat dangerous salient; and I directed +the commander of the Second Corps to be careful +not to keep the troops on this salient too +long, but, if threatened seriously, to draw back +the centre behind Mons. This was done before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +dark. In the meantime, about 5 P. M., I received +a most unexpected message from General +Joffre by telegraph, telling me that at least +three German corps, viz., a reserve corps, the +Fourth Corps and the Ninth Corps, were moving +on my position in front, and that the Second +Corps was engaged in a turning movement +from the direction of Tournay. He also informed +me that the two reserve French divisions +and the Fifth French Army on my right +were retiring, the Germans having on the previous +day gained possession of the passages of +the Sambre between Charleroi and Namur.</p> + +<p>3. In view of the possibility of my being +driven from the Mons position, I had previously +ordered a position in rear to be reconnoitred. +This position rested on the fortress of Maubeuge +on the right and extended west to Jenlain, +southeast of Valenciennes, on the left. +The position was reported difficult to hold, because +standing crops and buildings made the +siting of trenches very difficult and limited the +field of fire in many important localities. It +nevertheless afforded a few good artillery +positions.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +retire to +Maubeuge +position.</div> + +<p>When the news of the retirement of the +French and the heavy German threatening on +my front reached me, I endeavored to confirm +it by aeroplane reconnoissance; and as a result +of this I determined to effect a retirement to +the Maubeuge position at daybreak on the 24th.</p> + +<p>A certain amount of fighting continued +along the whole line throughout the night and +at daybreak on the 24th the Second Division +from the neighborhood of Harmignies made a +powerful demonstration as if to retake Binche. +This was supported by the artillery of both the +First and Second Divisions, while the First +Division took up a supporting position in the +neighborhood of Peissant. Under cover of this +demonstration the Second Corps retired on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +line Dour-Quarouble-Frameries. The Third Division +on the right of the corps suffered considerable +loss in this operation from the enemy, +who had retaken Mons.</p> + +<p>The Second Corps halted on this line, where +they partially intrenched themselves, enabling +Sir Douglas Haig with the First Corps gradually +to withdraw to the new position; and he +effected this without much further loss, reaching +the line Bavai-Maubeuge about 7 P. M. +Toward midday the enemy appeared to be directing +his principal effort against our left.</p> + +<p>I had previously ordered General Allenby +with the cavalry to act vigorously in advance +of my left front and endeavor to take the +pressure off.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Allenby +supports +Fifth +Division.</div> + +<p>About 7:30 A. M. General Allenby received +a message from Sir Charles Fergusson, commanding +the Fifth Division, saying that he was +very hard pressed and in urgent need of support. +On receipt of this message General +Allenby drew in the cavalry and endeavored to +bring direct support to the Fifth Division.</p> + +<p>During the course of this operation General +De Lisle, of the Second Cavalry Brigade, +thought he saw a good opportunity to paralyze +the further advance of the enemy's infantry by +making a mounted attack on his flank. He +formed up and advanced for this purpose, but +was held up by wire about 500 yards from his +objective, and the Ninth Lancers and the Eighteenth +Hussars suffered severely in the retirement +of the brigade.</p> + +<p>The Nineteenth Infantry Brigade, which had +been guarding the line of communications, was +brought up by rail to Valenciennes on the 22d +and 23d. On the morning of the 24th they were +moved out to a position south of Quarouble to +support the left flank of the Second Corps.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sir +Horace +Smith-Dorrien +suffers +great +losses.</div> + +<p>With the assistance of the cavalry Sir Horace +Smith-Dorrien was enabled to effect his retreat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +to a new position; although, having two corps +of the enemy on his front and one threatening +his flank, he suffered great losses in doing so.</p> + +<p>At nightfall the position was occupied by the +Second Corps to the west of Bavai, the First +Corps to the right. The right was protected +by the fortress of Maubeuge, the left by the +Nineteenth Brigade in position between Jenlain +and Bry, and the cavalry on the outer +flank.</p> + +<p>4. The French were still retiring, and I had +no support except such as was afforded by the +Fortress of Maubeuge; and the determined attempts +of the enemy to get round my left flank +assured me that it was his intention to hem +me against that place and surround me. I felt +that not a moment must be lost in retiring to +another position.</p> + +<p>I had every reason to believe that the enemy's +forces were somewhat exhausted and I knew +that they had suffered heavy losses. I hoped, +therefore, that his pursuit would not be +too vigorous to prevent me effecting my +object.</p> + +<p>The operation, however, was full of danger +and difficulty, not only owing to the very superior +force in my front, but also to the exhaustion +of the troops.</p> + +<p>The retirement was recommenced in the early +morning of the 25th to a position in the neighborhood +of Le Cateau, and rearguards were +ordered to be clear of the Maubeuge-Bavai-Eth +Road by 5:30 A. M.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Allenby +covers +west flank.</div> + +<p>Two cavalry brigades, with the divisional +cavalry of the Second Corps, covered the movement +of the Second Corps. The remainder of +the cavalry division, with the Nineteenth Brigade, +the whole under the command of General +Allenby, covered the west flank.</p> + +<p>The Fourth Division commenced its detrainment +at Le Cateau on Sunday, the 23d, and by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +the morning of the 25th eleven battalions and +a brigade of artillery with divisional staff were +available for service.</p> + +<p>I ordered General Snow to move out to take +up a position with his right south of Solesmes, +his left resting on the Cambrai-Le Cateau +Road south of La Chaprie. In this position the +division rendered great help to the effective retirement +of the Second and First Corps to the +new position.</p> + +<p>Although the troops had been ordered to occupy +the Cambrai-Le Cateau-Landrecies position, +and the ground had, during the 25th, been +partially prepared and intrenched, I had grave +doubts—owing to the information I had received +as to the accumulating strength of the +enemy against me—as to the wisdom of standing +there to fight.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Retirement +of French +troops on +right.</div> + +<p>Having regard to the continued retirement +of the French on my right, my exposed left +flank, the tendency of the enemy's western +corps (II.) to envelop me, and, more than all, +the exhausted condition of the troops, I determined +to make a great effort to continue the +retreat till I could put some substantial obstacle, +such as the Somme or the Oise, between +my troops and the enemy, and afford the former +some opportunity of rest and reorganization. +Orders were, therefore, sent to the corps commanders +to continue their retreat as soon as +they possibly could toward the general line +Vermand-St. Quentin-Ribemont.</p> + +<p>The cavalry, under General Allenby, were +ordered to cover the retirement.</p> + +<p>Throughout the 25th and far into the evening, +the First Corps continued its march on Landrecies, +following the road along the eastern +border of the Forêt de Mormal, and arrived at +Landrecies about 10 o'clock. I had intended +that the corps should come further west so as +to fill up the gap between Le Cateau and Landrecies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +but the men were exhausted and could +not get further in without rest.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +brigade in +Landrecies.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">French +reserve +divisions +support +First +Corps.</div> + +<p>The enemy, however, would not allow them +this rest, and about 9:30 P. M. a report was +received that the Fourth Guards Brigade in +Landrecies was heavily attacked by troops of +the Ninth German Army Corps, who were coming +through the forest on the north of the town. +This brigade fought most gallantly, and caused +the enemy to suffer tremendous loss in issuing +from the forest into the narrow streets of the +town. This loss has been estimated from reliable +sources at from 700 to 1,000. At the same +time information reached me from Sir Douglas +Haig that his First Division was also heavily +engaged south and east of Maroilles. I sent +urgent messages to the commander of the two +French reserve divisions on my right to come +up to the assistance of the First Corps, which +they eventually did. Partly owing to this assistance, +but mainly to the skillful manner in +which Sir Douglas Haig extricated his corps +from an exceptionally difficult position in the +darkness of the night, they were able at dawn +to resume their march south toward Wassigny +on Guise.</p> + +<p>By about 6 P. M. the Second Corps had got +into position with their right on Le Cateau, +their left in the neighborhood of Caudry, and +the line of defense was continued thence by +the Fourth Division toward Seranvillers, the +left being thrown back.</p> + +<p>During the fighting on the 24th and 25th the +cavalry became a good deal scattered, but by +the early morning of the 26th General Allenby +had succeeded in concentrating two brigades to +the south of Cambrai.</p> + +<p>The Fourth Division was placed under the +orders of the general officer commanding the +Second Army Corps.</p> + +<p>On the 24th the French cavalry corps, consisting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +of three divisions under General Sordêt, +had been in billets north of Avesnes. On my +way back from Bavai, which was my "Poste +de Commandement" during the fighting of the +23d and 24th, I visited General Sordêt, and +earnestly requested his co-operation and support. +He promised to obtain sanction from +his army commander to act on my left flank, +but said that his horses were too tired to move +before the next day. Although he rendered me +valuable assistance later on in the course of the +retirement, he was unable for the reasons given +to afford me any support on the most critical +day of all, viz., the 26th.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +Second +Corps and +Fourth +Division +heavily +attacked.</div> + +<p>At daybreak it became apparent that the +enemy was throwing the bulk of his strength +against the left of the position occupied by the +Second Corps and the Fourth Division.</p> + +<p>At this time the guns of four German army +corps were in position against them, and Sir +Horace Smith-Dorrien reported to me that he +judged it impossible to continue his retirement +at daybreak (as ordered) in face of such an +attack.</p> + +<p>I sent him orders to use his utmost endeavors +to break off the action and retire at the earliest +possible moment, as it was impossible for me +to send him any support, the First Corps being +at the moment incapable of movement.</p> + +<p>The French cavalry corps, under General +Sordêt, was coming up on our left rear early +in the morning, and I sent an urgent message +to him to do his utmost to come up and support +the retirement of my left flank; but owing to +the fatigue of his horses he found himself unable +to intervene in any way.</p> + +<p>There had been no time to intrench the position +properly, but the troops showed a magnificent +front to the terrible fire which confronted +them.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +artillery +outmatched +by four +to one.</div> + +<p>The artillery, although outmatched by at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +least four to one, made a splendid fight, and inflicted +heavy losses on their opponents.</p> + +<p>At length it became apparent that, if complete +annihilation was to be avoided, a retirement +must be attempted; and the order was +given to commence it about 3:30 P. M. The +movement was covered with the most devoted +intrepidity and determination by the artillery, +which had itself suffered heavily, and the fine +work done by the cavalry in the further retreat +from the position assisted materially in the +final completion of this most difficult and +dangerous operation.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the enemy had himself suffered +too heavily to engage in an energetic pursuit.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Sir +Horace +Smith-Dorrien +cited for +conspicuous +service.</div> + +<p>I cannot close the brief account of this glorious +stand of the British troops without putting +on record my deep appreciation of the valuable +services rendered by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien.</p> + +<p>I say without hesitation that the saving of +the left wing of the army under my command +on the morning of the 26th August could never +have been accomplished unless a commander +of rare and unusual coolness, intrepidity, and +determination had been present to personally +conduct the operation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +retreat +holding +on line +Noyon-Chauny-La +Fère.</div> + +<p>The retreat was continued far into the night +of the 26th and through the 27th and 28th, on +which date the troops halted on the line Noyon-Chauny-La +Fère, having then thrown off the +weight of the enemy's pursuit.</p> + +<p>On the 27th and 28th August I was much +indebted to General Sordêt and the French +cavalry division which he commands for +materially assisting my retirement and successfully +driving back some of the enemy on +Cambrai.</p> + +<p>General D'Amade also, with the Sixty-first +and Sixty-second French Reserve Divisions, +moved down from the neighborhood of Arras<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +on the enemy's right flank and took much pressure +off the rear of the British forces located +there.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">End of +four days' +battle at +Mons.</div> + +<p>This closes the period covering the heavy +fighting which commenced at Mons on Sunday +afternoon, 23d August, and which really constituted +a four days' battle.</p> + +<p>At this point, therefore, I propose to close +the present dispatch.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Serious +losses in +British +forces.</div> + +<p>I deeply deplore the very serious losses which +the British forces have suffered in this great +battle; but they were inevitable in view of the +fact that the British Army—only two days +after a concentration by rail—was called upon +to withstand a vigorous attack of five German +army corps.</p> + +<p>It is impossible for me to speak too highly +of the skill evinced by the two general officers +commanding army corps; the self-sacrificing +and devoted exertions of their staffs; the direction +of the troops by divisional, brigade, and +regimental leaders; the command of the smaller +units by their officers; and the magnificent +fighting spirit displayed by non-commissioned +officers and men.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Royal +Flying +Corps +cited for +admirable +work.</div> + +<p>I wish particularly to bring to your Lordship's +notice the admirable work done by the +Royal Flying Corps under Sir David Henderson. +Their skill, energy, and perseverance have +been beyond all praise. They have furnished +me with the most complete and accurate information, +which has been of incalculable value +in the conduct of the operations. Fired at constantly +both by friend and foe, and not hesitating +to fly in every kind of weather, they have +remained undaunted throughout.</p> + +<p>Further, by actually fighting in the air, they +have succeeded in destroying five of the enemy's +machines.</p> + +<p>I wish to acknowledge with deep gratitude +the incalculable assistance I received from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +General and Personal Staffs at Headquarters +during this trying period.</p> + +<div class="sidenote2">Lieutenant +General +Sir +Archibald +Murray, +Major +General +Wilson, +Brigade +General +Hon. +Lambton +cited for +admirable +work.</div> + +<p>Lieutenant General Sir Archibald Murray, +Chief of the General Staff; Major General +Wilson, Sub-Chief of the General Staff; and all +under them have worked day and night unceasingly +with the utmost skill, self-sacrifice, +and devotion; and the same acknowledgment +is due by me to Brigadier General Hon. W. +Lambton, my Military Secretary, and the personal +Staff.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Major +General +Sir +William +Robertson +cited for +admirable +work.</div> + +<p>In such operations as I have described the +work of the Quartermaster General is of an extremely +onerous nature. Major General Sir +William Robertson has met what appeared to +be almost insuperable difficulties with his +characteristic energy, skill, and determination; +and it is largely owing to his exertions that the +hardships and sufferings of the troops—inseparable +from such operations—were not much +greater.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Major +General +Sir Nevil +Macready.</div> + +<p>Major General Sir Nevil Macready, the Adjutant +General, has also been confronted +with most onerous and difficult tasks in connection +with disciplinary arrangements and the +preparation of casualty lists. He has been indefatigable +in his exertions to meet the difficult +situations which arose.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE</h2> + +<h3>SIR JOHN FRENCH</h3> + + +<div class='right'> +17th September, 1914.<br /> +</div> + +<p>My Lord: In continuation of my dispatch +of September 7, I have the honor to report +the further progress of the operations +of the forces under my command from +August 28.</p> + +<p>On that evening the retirement of the force +was followed closely by two of the enemy's +cavalry columns, moving southeast from St. +Quentin.</p> + +<p>The retreat in this part of the field was being +covered by the Third and Fifth Cavalry +Brigades. South of the Somme General Gough, +with the Third Cavalry Brigade, threw back +the Uhlans of the Guard with considerable loss.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Chetwode +routs +German +attack.</div> + +<p>General Chetwode, with the Fifth Cavalry +Brigade, encountered the eastern column near +Cerizy, moving south. The brigade attacked +and routed the column, the leading German +regiment suffering very severe casualties and +being almost broken up.</p> + +<p>The Seventh French Army Corps was now +in course of being railed up from the south to +the east of Amiens. On the 29th it nearly +completed its detrainment, and the French +Sixth Army got into position on my left, its +right resting on Roye.</p> + +<p>The Fifth French Army was behind the line +of the Oise, between La Fère and Guise.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Vigorous +pursuit of +retreating +German +forces.</div> + +<p>The pursuit of the enemy was very vigorous; +some five or six German corps were on the +Somme, facing the Fifth Army on the Oise. +At least two corps were advancing toward my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +front, and were crossing the Somme east and +west of Ham. Three or four more German +corps were opposing the Sixth French Army +on my left.</p> + +<p>This was the situation at 1 o'clock on the +29th, when I received a visit from General +Joffre at my headquarters.</p> + +<p>I strongly represented my position to the +French Commander in Chief, who was most +kind, cordial, and sympathetic, as he has always +been. He told me that he had directed +the Fifth French Army on the Oise to move +forward and attack the Germans on the Somme, +with a view to checking pursuit. He also told +me of the formation of the Sixth French Army +on my left flank, composed of the Seventh Army +Corps, four reserve divisions, and Sordêt's +corps of cavalry.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Short retirement +towards +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Compiegne'">Compiègne</ins>-Soissons.</div> + +<p>I finally arranged with General Joffre to +effect a further short retirement toward the +line Compiègne-Soissons, promising him, however, +to do my utmost to keep always within +a day's march of him.</p> + +<p>In pursuance of this arrangement the British +forces retired to a position a few miles north +of the line Compiègne-Soissons on the 29th.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Right +flank of +German +army in +dangerous +line of +connection.</div> + +<p>The right flank of the Germany Army was +now reaching a point which appeared seriously +to endanger my line of communications with +Havre. I had already evacuated Amiens, into +which place a German reserve division was reported +to have moved.</p> + +<p>Orders were given to change the base to St. +Nazaire, and establish an advance base at Le +Mans. This operation was well carried out by +the Inspector General of Communications.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Retirement +to +the Marne +ordered.</div> + +<p>In spite of a severe defeat inflicted upon the +Guard Tenth and Guard Reserve Corps of the +German Army by the First and Third French +Corps on the right of the Fifth Army, it was +not part of General Joffre's plan to pursue this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +advantage; and a general retirement to the +line of the Marne was ordered, to which the +French forces in the more eastern theatre were +directed to conform.</p> + +<p>A new Army (the Ninth) had been formed +from three corps in the south by General Joffre, +and moved into the space between the right +of the Fifth and left of the Fourth Armies.</p> + +<p>While closely adhering to his strategic conception +to draw the enemy on at all points until +a favorable situation was created from +which to assume the offensive, General Joffre +found it necessary to modify from day to day +the methods by which he sought to attain this +object, owing to the development of the enemy's +plans and changes in the general situation.</p> + +<p>In conformity with the movements of the +French forces, my retirement continued practically +from day to day. Although we were +not severely pressed by the enemy, rearguard +actions took place continually.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attack on +British +First +Cavalry +Brigade.</div> + +<p>On the 1st September, when retiring from +the thickly wooded country to the south of +Compiègne, the First Cavalry Brigade was +overtaken by some German cavalry. They +momentarily lost a horse artillery battery, and +several officers and men were killed and wounded. +With the help, however, of some detachments +from the Third Corps operating on their +left, they not only recovered their own guns, +but succeeded in capturing twelve of the +enemy's.</p> + +<p>Similarly, to the eastward, the First Corps, +retiring south, also got into some very difficult +forest country, and a somewhat severe rearguard +action ensued at Villers-Cotterets, in +which the Fourth Guards Brigade suffered considerably.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +forces in +position +south +of the +Marne.</div> + +<p>On September 3 the British forces were in +position south of the Marne between Lagny and +Signy-Signets. Up to this time I had been requested<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +by General Joffre to defend the passages +of the river as long as possible, and to +blow up the bridges in my front. After I had +made the necessary dispositions, and the destruction +of the bridges had been effected, I +was asked by the French Commander in Chief +to continue my retirement to a point some +twelve miles in rear of the position I then occupied, +with a view to taking up a second position +behind the Seine. This retirement was +duly carried out. In the meantime the enemy +had thrown bridges and crossed the Marne in +considerable force, and was threatening the +Allies all along the line of the British forces +and the Fifth and Ninth French Armies. Consequently +several small outpost actions took +place.</p> + +<p>On Saturday, September 5, I met the French +Commander in Chief at his request, and he informed +me of his intention to take the offensive +forthwith, as he considered conditions very +favorable to success.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Joffre +announces +intention +to take +offensive.</div> + +<p>General Joffre announced to me his intention +of wheeling up the left flank of the Sixth Army, +pivoting on the Marne and directing it to move +on the Ourcq; cross and attack the flank of the +First German Army, which was then moving in +a southeasterly direction east of that river.</p> + +<p>He requested me to effect a change of front +to my right—my left resting on the Marne and +my right on the Fifth Army—to fill the gap +between that army and the Sixth. I was then +to advance against the enemy in my front and +join in the general offensive movement.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Battle +begins +Sunday, +September +6.</div> + +<p>These combined movements practically commenced +on Sunday, September 6, at sunrise; +and on that day it may be said that a great +battle opened on a front extending from +Ermenonville, which was just in front of the +left flank of the Sixth French Army, through +Lizy on the Marne, Mauperthuis, which was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +about the British centre, Courtecon, which was +on the left of the Fifth French Army, to Esternay +and Charleville, the left of the Ninth Army +under General Foch, and so along the front of +the Ninth, Fourth and Third French Armies +to a point north of the fortress of Verdun.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Battle +concluded +September +10. +Germans +driven +to the +line +Soissons-Rheims.</div> + +<p>This battle, in so far as the Sixth French +Army, the British Army, the Fifth French +Army, and the Ninth French Army were concerned, +may be said to have concluded on the +evening of September 10, by which time the +Germans had been driven back to the line Soissons-Rheims, +with a loss of thousands of prisoners, +many guns, and enormous masses of transport.</p> + +<p>About September 3 the enemy appears to +have changed his plans and to have determined +to stop his advance south direct upon Paris, for +on September 4 air reconnoissances showed +that his main columns were moving in a +southeasterly direction generally east of a +line drawn through Nanteuil and Lizy on the +Ourcq.</p> + +<p>On September 5 several of these columns +were observed to have crossed the Marne, while +German troops, which were observed moving +southeast up the left flank of the Ourcq on the +4th, were now reported to be halted and facing +that river. Heads of the enemy's columns were +seen crossing at Changis, La <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Ferte'">Ferté</ins>, Nogent, +Château Thierry, and Mezy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +columns +converging +on +Montmirail.</div> + +<p>Considerable German columns of all arms +were seen to be converging on Montmirail, +while before sunset large bivouacs of the enemy +were located in the neighborhood of Coulommiers, +south of Rebais, La Ferté-Gaucher, and +Dagny.</p> + +<p>I should conceive it to have been about noon +on September 6, after the British forces had +changed their front to the right and occupied +the line Jouy-Le Chatel-Faremoutiers-Villeneuve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +Le Comte, and the advance of the Sixth +French Army north of the Marne toward the +Ourcq became apparent, that the enemy realized +the powerful threat that was being made +against the flank of his columns moving southeast, +and began the great retreat which opened +the battle above referred to.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Position +of allies +and Germans +on September 6.</div> + +<p>On the evening of September 6, therefore, +the fronts and positions of the Allied Army +were roughly as follows:</p> + +<p><i>Sixth French Army.</i>—Right on the Marne at +Meux, left toward Betz.</p> + +<p><i>British Forces.</i>—On the line Dagny-Coulommiers-Maison.</p> + +<p><i>Fifth French Army.</i>—At Courtagon, right on +Esternay.</p> + +<p><i>Conneau's Cavalry Corps.</i>—Between the +right of the British and the left of the French +Fifth Army.</p> + +<p>The position of the German Army was as +follows:</p> + +<p><i>Fourth Reserve and Second Corps.</i>—East of +the Ourcq and facing that river.</p> + +<p><i>Ninth Cavalry Division.</i>—West of Crecy.</p> + +<p><i>Second Cavalry Division.</i>—North of Coulommiers.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth Corps.</i>—Rebais.</p> + +<p><i>Third and Seventh Corps.</i>—Southwest of +Montmirail.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">First and +Second +German +army.</div> + +<p>All these troops constituted the First German +Army, which was directed against the +French Sixth Army on the Ourcq, and the British +forces, and the left of the Fifth French +Army south of the Marne.</p> + +<p>The Second German Army (IX., X., X.R., +and Guard) was moving against the centre and +right of the Fifth French Army and the Ninth +French Army.</p> + +<p>On September 7 both the Fifth and Sixth +French Armies were heavily engaged on our +flank. The Second and Fourth Reserve German<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +Corps on the Ourcq vigorously opposed the +advance of the French toward that river, but +did not prevent the Sixth Army from gaining +some headway, the Germans themselves suffering +serious losses. The French Fifth Army +threw the enemy back to the line of the Petit +Morin River after inflicting severe losses upon +them, especially about Montceaux, which was +carried at the point of the bayonet.</p> + +<p>The enemy retreated before our advance, +covered by his Second and Ninth and Guard +Cavalry Divisions, which suffered severely.</p> + +<p>Our cavalry acted with great vigor, especially +General De Lisle's brigade, with the Ninth +Lancers and Eighteenth Hussars.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +retreat +September 8.</div> + +<p>On September 8 the enemy continued his retreat +northward, and our army was successfully +engaged during the day with strong rearguards +of all arms on the Petit Morin River, +thereby materially assisting the progress of the +French armies on our right and left, against +whom the enemy was making his greatest efforts. +On both sides the enemy was thrown +back with very heavy loss. The First Army +Corps encountered stubborn resistance at La +Trétoire, (north of Rebais.) The enemy occupied +a strong position with infantry and +guns on the northern bank of the Petit Morin +River; they were dislodged with considerable +loss. Several machine guns and many prisoners +were captured, and upward of 200 German +dead were left on the ground.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Forcing +of Petit +Morin +September +9.</div> + +<p>The forcing of the Petit Morin at this point +was much assisted by the cavalry and the First +Division, which crossed higher up the stream.</p> + +<p>Later in the day a counter-attack by the +enemy was well repulsed by the First Army +Corps, a great many prisoners and some guns +again falling into our hands.</p> + +<p>On this day (September 8) the Second Army +Corps encountered considerable opposition, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +drove back the enemy at all points with great +loss, making considerable captures.</p> + +<p>The Third Army Corps also drove back considerable +bodies of the enemy's infantry and +made some captures.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +First and +Second +Army +Corps +forced +passage +of Marne.</div> + +<p>On September 9 the First and Second Army +Corps forced the passage of the Marne and advanced +some miles to the north of it. The Third +Corps encountered considerable opposition, as +the bridge at La Ferté was destroyed and the +enemy held the town on the opposite bank +in some strength, and thence persistently +obstructed the construction of a bridge; +so the passage was not effected until after +nightfall.</p> + +<p>During the day's pursuit the enemy suffered +heavy loss in killed and wounded, some hundreds +of prisoners fell into our hands and a +battery of eight machine guns was captured +by the Second Division.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sixth +French +Army +heavily +engaged +west of +River +Ourcq.</div> + +<p>On this day the Sixth French Army was +heavily engaged west of the River Ourcq. The +enemy had largely increased his force opposing +them; and very heavy fighting ensued, in which +the French were successful throughout.</p> + +<p>The left of the Fifth French Army reached +the neighborhood of Château Thierry after +the most severe fighting, having driven the +enemy completely north of the river with +great loss.</p> + +<p>The fighting of this army in the neighborhood +of Montmirail was very severe.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +and +French +advance +on the +line of +the Ourcq, +September 10.</div> + +<p>The advance was resumed at daybreak on the +10th up to the line of the Ourcq, opposed by +strong rearguards of all arms. The First and +Second Corps, assisted by the cavalry divisions +on the right, the Third and Fifth Cavalry +Brigades on the left, drove the enemy northward. +Thirteen guns, seven machine guns, +about 2,000 prisoners, and quantities of transport +fell into our hands. The enemy left many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +dead on the field. On this day the French Fifth +and Sixth Armies had little opposition.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +<a href="images/1-map-big.png"><img src="images/1-map.png" width="600" height="333" alt="BATTLE OF THE MARNE—END OF GERMAN RETREAT AND THE INTRENCHED LINE ON THE AISNE RIVER" title="BATTLE OF THE MARNE—END OF GERMAN RETREAT AND THE INTRENCHED LINE ON THE AISNE RIVER" /></a> +<span class="caption">BATTLE OF THE MARNE—END OF GERMAN RETREAT AND THE INTRENCHED LINE ON THE AISNE RIVER</span> +</div> + +<div class="sidenote">First and +Second +German +armies +in full +retreat.</div> + +<p>As the First and Second German Armies +were now in full retreat, this evening marks +the end of the battle which practically commenced +on the morning of the 6th inst.; and +it is at this point in the operations that I am +concluding the present dispatch.</p> + +<p>In concluding this dispatch I must call your +Lordship's special attention to the fact that +from Sunday, August 23, up to the present +date, (September 17,) from Mons back almost +to the Seine, and from the Seine to the Aisne, +the army under my command has been ceaselessly +engaged without one single day's halt +or rest of any kind.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Continuous +fighting of +British +from +Sunday, +August +23, to +September +17, from +Mons to +Seine +and from +Seine +to the +Aisne.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Amiens +and +Rheims +captured.</div> + +<p>In the narratives preceding we have seen +how the English forces conducted themselves +during the Great Retreat and at the Marne. +It must be remembered, however, that they +comprised but a small proportion of the armies +opposing the Germans. The French bore the +brunt of the attack, and a French army turned +the tide of battle. Beginning with the first +days of September all other military events +were overshadowed by the Great Retreat. On +September 1 the Germans, in spite of French +and British resistance, had reached Senlis. On +September 4th Amiens was captured, and two +days later the German army entered Rheims. +In the following narrative is shown, through +the official records, how the French armies bore +themselves during the Great Retreat, the First +Battle of the Marne, and in the fighting which +marked the hurried return of the German +armies to the banks of the Aisne which they +had, with true foresight, fortified with such a +possible situation in mind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> +<h2>HOW THE FRENCH FOUGHT</h2> + +<h3>THE FRENCH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT</h3> + + +<p>The first month of the campaign began +with successes and finished with defeats +for the French troops. Under what circumstances +did these come about?</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Two +principal +actions.</div> + +<p>Our plan of concentration had foreseen the +possibility of two principal actions, one on the +right <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'betweeen'">between</ins> the Vosges and the Moselle, the +other on the left to the north of Verdun-Toul +line, this double possibility involving the eventual +variation of our transport. On August 2, +owing to the Germans passing through Belgium, +our concentration was substantially +modified by General Joffre in order that our +principal effort might be directed to the north.</p> + +<p>From the first week in August it was apparent +that the length of time required for the +British Army to begin to move would delay our +action in connection with it. This delay is one +of the reasons which explain our failures at the +end of August.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mulhouse +occupied.</div> + +<p>Awaiting the moment when the operations in +the north could begin, and to prepare for it by +retaining in Alsace the greatest possible number +of German forces, the General in Chief ordered +our troops to occupy Mulhouse, (Mülhousen,) +to cut the bridges of the Rhine at +Huningue and below, and then to flank the attack +of our troops, operating in Lorraine.</p> + +<p>This operation was badly carried out by a +leader who was at once relieved of his command. +Our troops, after having carried Mulhouse, +lost it and were thrown back on Belfort. +The work had, therefore, to be recommenced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +afresh, and this was done from August 14 under +a new command.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +losses.</div> + +<p>Mulhouse was taken on the 19th, after a brilliant +fight at Dornach. Twenty-four guns were +captured from the enemy. On the 20th we held +the approaches to Colmar, both by the plain +and by the Vosges. The enemy had undergone +enormous losses and abandoned great stores +of shells and forage, but from this moment +what was happening in Lorraine and on our +left prevented us from carrying our successes +further, for our troops in Alsace were needed +elsewhere.</p> + +<p>On August 28 the Alsace army was broken +up, only a small part remaining to hold the +region of Thann and the Vosges.</p> + +<p>The purpose of the operations in Alsace was, +namely, to retain a large part of the enemy's +forces far from the northern theatre of operations. +It was for our offensive in Lorraine to +pursue still more directly by holding before it +the German army corps operating to the south +of Metz.</p> + +<p>This offensive began brilliantly on August 14. +On the 19th we had reached the region of +Saarburg and that of the Etangs, (lakes,) and +we held Dieuze, Morhange, Delme, and Château +Salins.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">French +offensive +stopped.</div> + +<p>On the 20th our success was stopped. The +cause is to be found in the strong organization +of the region, in the power of the enemy's artillery, +operating over ground which had been +minutely surveyed, and, finally, in the default +of certain units.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +reinforcements.</div> + +<p>On the 22d, in spite of the splendid behavior +of several of our army corps, notably that of +Nancy, our troops were brought back on to the +Grand Couronne, while on the 23d and 24th +the Germans concentrated reinforcements—three +army corps, at least—in the region of +Lunéville and forced us to retire to the south.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>This retreat, however, was only momentary. +On the 25th, after two vigorous counter-attacks, +one from south to north and the other +from west to east, the enemy had to fall back. +From that time a sort of balance was established +on this terrain between the Germans +and ourselves. Maintained for fifteen days, it +was afterward, as will be seen, modified to our +advantage.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Battle +of the +north.</div> + +<p>There remained the principal business, the +battle of the north—postponed owing to the +necessity of waiting for the British Army. On +August 20 the concentration of our lines was +finished and the General in Chief gave orders +for our centre and our left to take the offensive. +Our centre comprised two armies. Our left +consisted of a third army, reinforced to the extent +of two army corps, a corps of cavalry, the +reserve divisions, the British Army, and the +Belgian Army, which had already been engaged +for the previous three weeks at <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Liége'">Liège</ins>, Namur, +and Louvain.</p> + +<p>The German plan on that date was as follows: +From seven to eight army corps and +four cavalry divisions were endeavoring to +pass between Givet and Brussels, and even to +prolong their movements more to the west. +Our object was, therefore, in the first place, +to hold and dispose of the enemy's centre and +afterward to throw ourselves with all available +forces on the left flank of the German grouping +of troops in the north.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +offensive +fails.</div> + +<p>On August 21 our offensive in the centre began +with ten army corps. On August 22 it +failed, and this reverse appeared serious.</p> + +<p>The reasons for it are complex. There were +in this affair individual and collective failures, +imprudences committed under the fire of the +enemy, divisions ill-engaged, rash deployments, +precipitate retreats, a premature waste of +men, and, finally, the inadequacy of certain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +of our troops and their leaders, both as regards +the use of infantry and artillery.</p> + +<p>In consequence of these lapses the enemy, +turning to account the difficult terrain, was +able to secure the maximum of profit from the +advantages which the superiority of his subaltern +complements gave him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +crosses +the +Sambre.</div> + +<p>In spite of this defeat our manoeuvre had +still a chance of success, if our left and the British +Army obtained a decisive result. This was +unfortunately not the case. On August 22, at +the cost of great losses, the enemy succeeded +in crossing the Sambre and our left army fell +back on the 24th upon Beaumont-Givet, being +perturbed by the belief that the enemy was +threatening its right.</p> + +<p>On the same day, (the 24th,) the British +Army fell back after a German attack upon the +Maubeuge-Valenciennes line. On the 25th and +26th its retreat became more hurried. After +Landrecies and Le Cateau it fell back southward +by forced marches. It could not from +this time keep its hold until after crossing the +Marne.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +British +retreat.</div> + +<p>The rapid retreat of the English, coinciding +with the defeat sustained in Belgian Luxembourg, +allowed the enemy to cross the Meuse +and to accelerate, by fortifying it, the action +of his right.</p> + +<p>The situation at this moment may be thus +summed up: Either our frontier had to be defended +on the spot under conditions which the +British retreat rendered extremely perilous, or +we had to execute a strategic retirement which, +while delivering up to the enemy a part of the +national soil, would permit us, on the other +hand, to resume the offensive at our own time +with a favorable disposition of troops, still intact, +which we had at our command. The General +in Chief determined on the second alternative.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">New +offensive +planned.</div> + +<p>Henceforward the French command devoted +its efforts to preparing the offensive. To this +end three conditions had to be fulfilled:</p> + +<p>1. The retreat had to be carried out in order +under a succession of counter-attacks which +would keep the enemy busy.</p> + +<p>2. The extreme point of this retreat must be +fixed in such a way that the different armies +should reach it simultaneously, ready at the +moment of occupying it to resume the offensive +all together.</p> + +<p>3. Every circumstance permitting of a resumption +of the offensive before this point +should be reached must be utilized by the whole +of our forces and the British forces.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Counter-attacks.</div> + +<p>The counter-attacks, executed during the retreat, +were brilliant and often fruitful. On +August 20 we successfully attacked St. Quentin +to disengage the British Army. Two other +corps and a reserve division engaged the Prussian +Guard and the Tenth German Army Corps, +which was debouching from Guise. By the end +of the day, after various fluctuations, the +enemy was thrown back on the Oise and the +British front was freed.</p> + +<p>On August 27 we had also succeeded in +throwing back upon the Meuse the enemy, who +was endeavoring to gain a foothold on the left +bank. Our successes continued on the 28th in +the woods of Marfée and of Jaulnay. Thanks +to them we were able, in accordance with +the orders of the General in Chief, to fall +back on the Buzancy-Le Chesne-Bouvellemont +line.</p> + +<p>Further to the right another army took part +in the same movement and carried out successful +attacks on August 25 on the Othain and +in the region of Spincourt.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Recrossing +the +Meuse.</div> + +<p>On the 26th these different units recrossed +the Meuse without being disturbed and were +able to join in the action of our centre. Our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +armies were, therefore, again intact and available +for the offensive.</p> + +<p>On August 26 a new army composed of two +army corps, five reserve divisions, and a Moorish +brigade was constituted. This army was +to assemble in the region of Amiens between +August 27 and September 1 and take the offensive +against the German right, uniting its +action with that of the British Army, operating +on the line of Ham-Bray-sur-Somme.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +retreat +continues.</div> + +<p>The hope of resuming the offensive was from +this moment rendered vain by the rapidity of +the march of the German right wing. This +rapidity had two consequences, which we had +to parry before thinking of advancing. On the +one hand, our new army had not time to complete +its detraining, and, on the other hand, the +British Army, forced back further by the +enemy, uncovered on August 31 our left flank. +Our line, thus modified, contained waves which +had to be redressed before we could pass to the +offensive.</p> + +<p>To understand this it is sufficient to consider +the situation created by the quick advance +of the enemy on the evening of September +2.</p> + +<p>A corps of cavalry had crossed the Oise and +advanced as far as Château-Thierry. The First +Army, (General von Kluck,) comprising four +active army corps and a reserve corps, had +passed Compiègne.</p> + +<p>The Second Army, (General von Bülow,) +with three active army corps and two reserve +corps, was reaching the Laon region.</p> + +<p>The Third Army, (General von Hausen,) +with two active army corps and a reserve corps, +had crossed the Aisne between the Château +Porcien and Attigny.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +German +armies.</div> + +<p>More to the east the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth +and Seventh Armies, namely, twelve army +corps, four reserve corps, and numerous Ersatz<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +formations, were in contact with our troops, +the Fourth and Fifth Armies between Vouziers +and Verdun and the others in the positions +which have been indicated above, from Verdun +to the Vosges.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The left +in peril.</div> + +<p>It will, therefore, be seen that our left, if +we accepted battle, might be in great peril +through the British forces and the new French +Army, operating more to the westward, having +given way.</p> + +<p>A defeat in these conditions would have cut +off our armies from Paris and from the British +forces and at the same time from the new +army which had been constituted to the left +of the English. We should thus be running +the risk of losing by a single stroke the advantage +of the assistance which Russia later on +was to furnish.</p> + +<p>General Joffre chose resolutely for the solution +which disposed of these risks, that is to +say, for postponing the offensive and the continuance +of the retreat. In this way he remained +on ground which he had chosen. He +waited only until he could engage in better +conditions.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The limit +of the +retreat.</div> + +<p>In consequence, on September 1, he fixed as +an extreme limit for the movement of retreat, +which was still going on, the line of Bray-sur-Seine, +Nogent-sur-Seine, Arcis-sur-Aube, +Vitry-le-François, and the region to the north +of Bar-le-Duc. This line might be reached if +the troops were compelled to go back so far. +They would attack before reaching it, as soon +as there was a possibility of bringing about an +offensive disposition, permitting the co-operation +of the whole of our forces.</p> + +<p>On September 5 it appeared that this desired +situation existed.</p> + +<p>The First German Army, carrying audacity +to temerity, had continued its endeavor to envelop +our left, had crossed the Grand Morin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +and reached the region of Chauffry, to the +north of Rebaix and of Esternay. It aimed +then at cutting our armies off from Paris, in +order to begin the investment of the capital.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +German +lines.</div> + +<p>The Second Army had its head on the line +Champaubert, Etoges, Bergeres, and Vertus.</p> + +<p>The Third and Fourth Armies reached to +Chalons-sur-Marne and Bussy-le-Repos. The +Fifth Army was advancing on one side and +the other from the Argonne as far as Triacourt-les-Islettes +and Juivecourt. The Sixth +and Seventh Armies were attacking more to +the east.</p> + +<p>But—and here is a capital difference between +the situation of September 5 and that +of September 2—the envelopment of our left +was no longer possible.</p> + +<p>In the first place, our left army had been +able to occupy the line of Sézanne, Villers-St. +Georges and Courchamps. Furthermore, the +British forces, gathered between the Seine and +the Marne, flanked on their left by the newly +created army, were closely connected with the +rest of our forces.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Allies' +armies +ready.</div> + +<p>This was precisely the disposition which the +General in Chief had wished to see achieved. +On the 4th he decided to take advantage of it, +and ordered all the armies to hold themselves +ready. He had taken from his right two new +army corps, two divisions of infantry, and two +divisions of cavalry, which were distributed +between his left and his centre.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 5th he addressed to all +the commanders of armies a message ordering +them to attack.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Joffre +orders the +advance.</div> + +<p>"The hour has come," he wrote, "to advance +at all costs, and to die where you stand rather +than give way."</p> + +<p>If one examines on the map the respective +positions of the German and French armies +on September 6 as previously described, it will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +be seen that by his inflection toward Meaux +and Coulommiers General von Kluck was exposing +his right to the offensive action of our +left. This is the starting point of the victory +of the Marne.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Battle +of the +Marne.</div> + +<p>On the evening of September 5 our left army +had reached the front Penchard-Saint-Soutlet-Ver. +On the 6th and 7th it continued its attacks +vigorously with the Ourcq as objective. +On the evening of the 7th it was some kilometers +from the Ourcq, on the front +Chambry-Marcilly-Lisieux-Acy-en-Multien. On the 8th, +the Germans, who had in great haste reinforced +their right by bringing their Second +and Fourth Army Corps back to the north, +obtained some successes by attacks of extreme +violence. They occupied Betz, Thury-en-Valois, +and Nanteuil-le-Haudouin. But in spite of this +pressure our troops held their ground well. In +a brilliant action they took three standards, +and, being reinforced, prepared a new attack +for the 10th. At the moment that this attack +was about to begin the enemy was already in +retreat toward the north. The attack became +a pursuit, and on the 12th we established ourselves +on the Aisne.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +left +exposed.</div> + +<p>Why did the German forces which were confronting +us and on the evening before attacking +so furiously retreat on the morning of the +10th? Because in bringing back on the 6th +several army corps from the south to the north +to face our left the enemy had exposed his left +to the attacks of the British Army, which had +immediately faced around toward the north, +and to those of our armies which were prolonging +the English lines to the right. This +is what the French command had sought to +bring about. This is what happened on September +8 and allowed the development and rehabilitation +which it was to effect.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The part +of the +British.</div> + +<p>On the 6th the British Army had set out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +from the line Rozcy-Lagny and had that evening +reached the southward bank of the Grand +Morin. On the 7th and 8th it continued its +march, and on the 9th had debouched to the +north of the Marne below <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Chateau'">Château</ins>-Thierry, +taking in flank the German forces which on +that day were opposing, on the Ourcq, our left +army. Then it was that these forces began +to retreat, while the British Army, going in +pursuit and capturing seven guns and many +prisoners, reached the Aisne between Soissons +and Longueval.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The rôle +of the +French army.</div> + +<p>The rôle of the French Army, which was operating +to the right of the British Army, was +threefold. It had to support the British attacking +on its left. It had on its right to +support our centre, which from September 7 +had been subjected to a German attack of great +violence. Finally, its mission was to throw +back the three active army corps and the reserve +corps which faced it.</p> + +<p>On the 7th it made a leap forward, and on +the following days reached and crossed the +Marne, seizing, after desperate fighting, guns, +howitzers, mitrailleuses, and 1,300,000 cartridges. +On the 12th it established itself on the +north edge of the Montagne-de-Reime in contact +with our centre, which for its part had just +forced the enemy to retreat in haste.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attack +on the +French +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'center'">centre</ins>.</div> + +<p>Our centre consisted of a new army created +on August 29 and of one of those which at the +beginning of the campaign had been engaged +in Belgian Luxembourg. The first had retreated +on August 29 to September 5 from the Aisne +to the north of the Marne and occupied the +general front Sézanne-Mailly.</p> + +<p>The second, more to the east, had drawn back +to the south of the line +Humbauville-<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Chateau'">Château</ins>-Beauchamp-Bignicourt-Blesmes-Maurupt-le-Montoy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A further +retreat.</div> + +<p>The enemy, in view of his right being arrested<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +and the defeat of his enveloping movement, +made a desperate effort from the 7th to the 10th +to pierce our centre to the west and to the east +of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Fére'">Fère</ins>-Champenoise. On the 8th he succeeded +in forcing back the right of our new army, +which retired as far as Gouragançon. On the +9th, at 6 o'clock in the morning, there was a +further retreat to the south of that village, +while on the left the other army corps also had +to go back to the line Allemant-Connantre.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Foch +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'out-manœuvers'">out-manœuvres</ins> +Germans.</div> + +<p>Despite this retreat the General commanding +the army ordered a general offensive for the +same day. With the Morocco Division, whose +behavior was heroic, he met a furious assault +of the Germans on his left toward the marshes +of Saint Gond. Then with the division which +had just victoriously overcome the attacks of +the enemy to the north of Sézanne, and with +the whole of his left army corps, he made a +flanking attack in the evening of the 9th upon +the German forces, and notably the guard, +which had thrown back his right army corps. +The enemy, taken by surprise by this bold +manœuvre, did not resist, and beat a hasty retreat.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Centre +armies established.</div> + +<p>On the 11th we crossed the Marne between +Tours-sur-Marne and Sarry, driving the Germans +in front of us in disorder. On the 12th +we were in contact with the enemy to the north +of the Camp de Chalons. Our other army of +the centre, acting on the right of the one just +referred to, had been intrusted with the mission +during the 7th, 8th, and 9th of disengaging +its neighbor, and it was only on the 10th +that, being reinforced by an army corps from +the east, it was able to make its action effectively +felt. On the 11th the Germans retired. +But, perceiving their danger, they fought desperately, +with enormous expenditure of projectiles, +behind strong intrenchments. On the +12th the result had none the less been attained,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +and our two centre armies were solidly established +on the ground gained.</p> + +<p>To the right of these two armies were three +others. They had orders to cover themselves +to the north and to debouch toward the west +on the flank of the enemy, which was operating +to the west of the Argonne. But a wide interval +in which the Germans were in force separated +them from our centre. The attack took +place, nevertheless, with very brilliant success +for our artillery, which destroyed eleven batteries +of the Sixteenth German Army Corps.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +retreat +on the +right.</div> + +<p>On the 10th inst. the Eighth and Fifteenth +German Army Corps counter-attacked, but +were repulsed. On the 11th our progress continued +with new successes, and on the 12th we +were able to face round toward the north in +expectation of the near and inevitable retreat +of the enemy, which, in fact, took place from +the 13th.</p> + +<p>The withdrawal of the mass of the German +force involved also that of the left. From the +12th onward the forces of the enemy operating +between Nancy and the Vosges retreated in a +hurry before our two armies of the East, which +immediately occupied the positions that the +enemy had evacuated. The offensive of our +right had thus prepared and consolidated in the +most useful way the result secured by our left +and our centre.</p> + +<p>Such was this seven days' battle, in which +more than two millions of men were engaged. +Each army gained ground step by step, opening +the road to its neighbor, supported at once +by it, taking in flank the adversary which the +day before it had attacked in front, the efforts +of one articulating closely with those of the +other, a perfect unity of intention and method +animating the supreme command.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Meaning +of the +victory.</div> + +<p>To give this victory all its meaning it is +necessary to add that it was gained by troops<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +which for two weeks had been retreating, and +which, when the order for the offensive was +given, were found to be as ardent as on the +first day. It has also to be said that these +troops had to meet the whole German army, +and that from the time they marched forward +they never again fell back. Under their pressure +the German retreat at certain times had +the appearance of a rout.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Numbers +of German +prisoners.</div> + +<p>In spite of the fatigue of our men, in spite +of the power of the German heavy artillery, +we took colors, guns, mitrailleuses, shells, +more than a million cartridges, and thousands +of prisoners. A German corps lost almost the +whole of its artillery, which, from information +brought by our airmen, was destroyed by our +guns.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="sidenote">The next +objective +is the +Channel +ports.</div> + +<p>After the failure of the German drive against +Paris, whose capture was the first objective +in the plan of campaign of the German General +Staff, preparations were made to carry out +the plans for the second objective, the capture +of the Channel seaports, and the control of +the coasts. The Allied commanders were quite +aware of this purpose, and made plans to circumvent +it. Then followed the famous Race +for the Channel, which is described by official +French observers in the pages that follow.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE RACE FOR THE CHANNEL</h2> + +<h3>FRENCH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT</h3> + + +<p>As early as September 11 the Commander +in Chief had directed our left army to +have as important forces as possible on +the right bank of the Oise. On September 17 he +made that instruction more precise by ordering +"a mass to be constituted on the left wing of +our disposition, capable of coping with the outflanking +movement of the enemy." Everything +led us to expect that flanking movement, for +the Germans are lacking in invention. Indeed, +their effort at that time tended to a renewal of +their manoeuvre of August. In the parallel +race the opponents were bound in the end to +be stopped only by the sea; that is what happened +about October 20.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Allies +in the +race to +the sea.</div> + +<p>The Germans had an advantage over us, +which is obvious from a glance at the map—the +concentric form of their front, which +shortened the length of their transports. In +spite of this initial inferiority we arrived in +time.</p> + +<p>From the middle of September to the last +week in October fighting went on continually +to the north of the Oise, but all the time +we were fighting we were slipping northward. +On the German side this movement +brought into line more than eighteen new +army corps (twelve active army corps, six reserve +corps, four cavalry corps). On our side +it ended in the constitution of three fresh +armies on our left and in the transport into +the same district of the British Army and the +Belgian Army from Antwerp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Resistance +in +Battle of +Flanders.</div> + +<p>For the conception and realization of this +fresh and extended disposition the French command, +in the first place, had to reduce to a +minimum the needs for effectives of our armies +to the east of the Oise, and afterwards to utilize +to the utmost our means of transport. It +succeeded in this, and when, at the end of +October, the battle of Flanders opened, when +the Germans, having completed the concentration +of their forces, attempted with fierce energy +to turn or to pierce our left, they flung +themselves upon a resistance which inflicted +upon them a complete defeat.</p> + +<p>The movement began on our side only with +the resources of the army which had held the +left of our front during the battle of the +Marne, reinforced on September 15 by one +army corps.</p> + +<p>This reinforcement, not being sufficient to +hold the enemy's offensive (district of Vaudelincourt-Mouchy-Uaugy), +a fresh army was +transported more to the left, with the task +"of acting against the German right wing in +order to disengage its neighbor, * * * while +preserving a flanking direction in its march +in relation to the fresh units that the enemy +might be able to put into line."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Reinforcements +for +the First +Army.</div> + +<p>To cover the detrainments of this fresh army +in the district Clermont-Beauvais-Boix a cavalry +corps and four territorial divisions were +ordered to establish themselves on both banks +of the Somme. In the wooded hills, however, +which extend between the Oise and Lassigny +the enemy displayed increasing activity. +Nevertheless, the order still further to broaden +the movement toward the left was maintained, +while the territorial divisions were to move +toward Bethune and Aubigny. The march to +the sea went on.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Alternate +reverse +and +success.</div> + +<p>From the 21st to the 26th all our forces +were engaged in the district Lassigny-Roye-Peronne,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +with alternations of reverse and +success.</p> + +<p>It was the first act of the great struggle +which was to spread as it went on. On the +26th the whole of the Sixth German Army was +deployed against us. We retained all our positions, +but we could do no more; consequently +there was still the risk that the enemy, by +means of a fresh afflux of forces, might succeed +in turning us.</p> + +<p>Once more reinforcements, two army corps, +were directed no longer on Beauvais, but +toward Amiens. The front was then again to +extend. A fresh army was constituted more +to the north.</p> + +<p>From September 30 onward we could not +but observe that the enemy, already strongly +posted on the plateau of Thiepval, was continually +slipping his forces from south to +north, and everywhere confronting us with remarkable +energy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Cavalry +operations.</div> + +<p>Accordingly, on October 1 two cavalry corps +were directed to make a leap forward and, +operating on both flanks of the Scarpe, to put +themselves in touch with the garrison of Dunkirk, +which, on its side, had pushed forward +as far as Douai.</p> + +<p>But on October 2 and 3 the bulk of our +fresh army was very strongly attacked in +the district of Arras and Lens. Confronting +it were two corps of cavalry, the guards, +four active army corps, and two reserve +corps. A fresh army corps was immediately +transported and detrained in the Lille +district.</p> + +<p>But once more the attacks became more +pressing, and on October 4 it was a question +whether, in view of the enemy's activity both +west of the Oise and south of the Somme, and +also further to the north, a retreat would not +have to be made. General Joffre resolutely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +put this hypothesis aside and ordered the +offensive to be resumed with the reinforcements +that had arrived. It was, however, +clear that, despite the efforts of all, our front, +extended to the sea as it was by a mere ribbon +of troops, did not possess the solidity to +enable it to resist with complete safety a German +attack, the violence of which could well +be foreseen.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Transport +of the +British +Army.</div> + +<p>In the Arras district the position was fairly +good. But between the Oise and Arras we +were holding our own only with difficulty. +Finally, to the north, on the Lille-Estaires-Merville-Hazebrouck-Cassel +front, our cavalry +and our territorials had their work cut out +against eight divisions of German cavalry, +with very strong infantry supports. It was +at this moment that the transport of the British +Army to the northern theatre of operations +began.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +Army +taken +from the +Aisne.</div> + +<p>Field Marshal French had, as early as the +end of September, expressed the wish to see +his army resume its initial place on the left of +the allied armies. He explained this wish on +the ground of the greater facility of which his +communications would have the advantage in +this new position, and also of the impending +arrival of two divisions of infantry from home +and of two infantry divisions and a cavalry +division from India, which would be able to +deploy more easily on that terrain. In spite +of the difficulties which such a removal involved, +owing to the intensive use of the railways +by our own units, General Joffre decided +at the beginning of October to meet the Field +Marshal's wishes and to have the British Army +removed from the Aisne.</p> + +<p>It was clearly specified that on the northern +terrain the British Army should co-operate to +the same end as ourselves, the stopping of the +German right. In other terms, the British<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +Army was to prolong the front of the general +disposition without a break, attacking as soon +as possible, and at the same time seeking touch +with the Belgian Army.</p> + +<p>But the detraining took longer than had +been expected, and it was not possible to attack +the Germans during the time when they +had only cavalry in the Lille district and further +to the north.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Wearied +Belgian +troops.</div> + +<p>There remained the Belgian Army. On leaving +Antwerp on October 9 the Belgian Army, +which was covered by 8,000 British bluejackets +and 6,000 French bluejackets, at first intended +to retire as far as to the north of Calais, but +afterwards determined to make a stand in Belgian +territory. Unfortunately, the condition +of the Belgian troops, exhausted by a struggle +of more than three months, did not allow any +immediate hopes to be based upon them. This +situation weighed on our plans and delayed +their execution.</p> + +<p>On the 16th we made progress to the east of +Ypres. On the 18th our cavalry even reached +Roulers and Cortemark. But it was now evident +that, in view of the continual reinforcing +of the German right, our left was not capable +of maintaining the advantages obtained during +the previous few days. To attain our end +and make our front inviolable a fresh effort +was necessary. That effort was immediately +made by the dispatch to the north of the Lys of +considerable French forces, which formed the +French Army of Belgium.</p> + +<p>The French Army of Belgium consisted, to +begin with, of two territorial divisions, four +divisions of cavalry, and a naval brigade. +Directly after its constitution it was strengthened +by elements from other points on the front +whose arrival extended from October 27 to November +11. These reinforcements were equivalent +altogether in value to five army corps, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +division of cavalry, a territorial division, and +sixteen regiments of cavalry, plus sixty pieces +of heavy artillery.</p> + +<p>Thus was completed the strategic manoeuvre +defined by the instructions of the General in +Chief on September 11 and developed during +the five following weeks with the ampleness we +have just seen. The movements of troops carried +out during this period were methodically +combined with the pursuit of operations, both +defensive and offensive, from the Oise to the +North Sea.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Five +armies +co-ordinated.</div> + +<p>On October 22 our left, bounded six weeks +earlier by the Noyon district, rested on Nieuport, +thanks to the successive deployment of +five fresh armies—three French armies, the +British Army, and the Belgian Army.</p> + +<p>Thus the co-ordination decided upon by the +General in Chief attained its end. The barrier +was established. It remained to maintain it +against the enemy's offensive. That was the +object and the result of the battle of Flanders, +October 22 to November 15.</p> + +<p>The German attack in Flanders was conducted +strategically and tactically with remarkable +energy. The complete and indisputable +defeat in which it resulted is therefore +significant.</p> + +<p>The forces of which the enemy disposed for +this operation between the sea and the Lys +comprised:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +forces between +the sea +and the +Lys.</div> + +<p>(1) The entire Fourth Army commanded by +the Duke of Württemberg, consisting of one +naval division, one division of Ersatz Reserve, +(men who had received no training before the +war,) which was liberated by the fall of Antwerp; +the Twenty-second, Twenty-third, Twenty-sixth +and Twenty-seventh Reserve Corps, +and the Forty-eighth Division belonging to the +Twenty-fourth Reserve Corps.</p> + +<p>(2) A portion of another army under General<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +von Fabeck, consisting of the Fifteenth +Corps, two Bavarian corps and three (unspecified) +divisions.</p> + +<p>(3) Part of the Sixth Army under the command +of the Crown Prince of Bavaria. This +army, more than a third of which took part in +the battle of Flanders, comprised the Nineteenth +Army Corps, portions of the Thirteenth +Corps and the Eighteenth Reserve Corps, the +Seventh and Fourteenth Corps, the First Bavarian +Reserve Corps, the Guards, and the +Fourth Army Corps.</p> + +<p>(4) Four highly mobile cavalry corps prepared +and supported the action of the troops +enumerated above. Everything possible had +been done to fortify the "morale" of the troops. +At the beginning of October the Crown Prince +of Bavaria in a proclamation had exhorted his +soldiers "to make the decisive effort against +the French left wing," and "to settle thus the +fate of the great battle which has lasted for +weeks."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Importance +of +thrusts in +Flanders.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">German +plan in +Flanders.</div> + +<p>On October 28, Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria +declared in an army order that his +troops "had just been fighting under very difficult +conditions," and he added: "It is our +business now not to let the struggle with our +most detested enemy drag on longer * * * The +decisive blow is still to be struck." On October +30, General von Deimling, commanding +the Fifteenth Army Corps (belonging to General +von Fabeck's command), issued an order +declaring that "the thrust against Ypres will +be of decisive importance." It should be noted +also that the Emperor proceeded in person to +Thielt and Courtrai to exalt by his presence +the ardor of his troops. Finally, at the close +of October, the entire German press incessantly +proclaimed the importance of the "Battle of +Calais." It is superfluous to add that events +in Poland explain in a large measure the passionate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +resolve of the German General Staff to +obtain a decision in the Western theatre of operations +at all costs. This decision would be +obtained if our left were pierced or driven in. +To reach Calais, that is, to break our left; to +carry Ypres, that is, to cut it in half; through +both points to menace the communications +and supplies of the British expeditionary +corps, perhaps even to threaten Britain in her +island—such was the German plan in the Battle +of Flanders. It was a plan that could not +be executed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Dunkirk +the first +objective.</div> + +<p>The enemy, who had at his disposal a considerable +quantity of heavy artillery, directed +his efforts at first upon the coast and the country +to the north of Dixmude. His objective +was manifestly the capture of Dunkirk, then of +Calais and Boulogne, and this objective he +pursued until November 1.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Ramscapelle +retaken.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Allies +win the +Battle of +Calais.</div> + +<p>On October 23 the Belgians along the railway +line from Nieuport to Dixmude were +strengthened by a French division. Dixmude +was occupied by our marines (fusiliers marins). +During the subsequent day our forces along +the railway developed a significant resistance +against an enemy superior in number and +backed by heavy artillery. On the 29th the inundations +effected between the canal and the +railway line spread along our front. On the +30th we recaptured Ramscapelle, the only point +on the railway which Belgians had lost. On +the 1st and 2d of November the enemy bombarded +Furnes, but began to show signs of +weariness. On the 2d he evacuated the ground +between the Yser and the railway, abandoning +cannon, dead and wounded. On the 3d our +troops were able to re-enter the Dixmude district. +The success achieved by the enemy at +Dixmude at this juncture was without fruit. +They succeeded in taking the town. They could +not debouch from it. The coastal attack had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +thus proved a total failure. Since then it has +never been renewed. The Battle of Calais, so +noisily announced by the German press, +amounted to a decided reverse for the Germans.</p> + +<p>The enemy had now begun an attack more +important than its predecessor, in view of +the numbers engaged in it. This attack was +intended as a renewal to the south of the effort +which had just been shattered in the north. +Instead of turning our flank on the coast, it was +now sought to drive in the right of our northern +army under the shock of powerful masses. +This was the Battle of Ypres.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Importance +of +the Ypres +position.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">British +cavalry a +connecting +link.</div> + +<p>In order to understand this long, desperate, +and furious battle we must hark back a few +days in point of time. At the moment when +our cavalry reached Roulers and Cortemark +(October 28) our territorial divisions from +Dunkirk, under General Biden, had occupied +and organized a defensive position at Ypres. +It was a point d'appui, enabling us to prepare +and maintain our connections with the Belgian +Army. From October 23 two British and +French army corps were in occupation of this +position, which was to be the base of their +forward march in the direction of Roulers-Menin. +The delays already explained and the +strength of the forces brought up by the enemy +soon brought to a standstill our progress along +the line Poelcapelle, Paschendaele, Zandvorde, +and Gheluvelt. But in spite of the stoppage +here, Ypres was solidly covered, and the connections +of all the allied forces were established. +Against the line thus formed the German +attack was hurled from October 25 to +November 13, to the north, the east, and the +south of Ypres. From October 26 on the attacks +were renewed daily with extraordinary +violence, obliging us to employ our reinforcements +at the most threatened points as soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +as they came up. Thus, on October 31, we +were obliged to send supports to the British +cavalry, then to the two British corps between +which the cavalry formed the connecting link, +and finally to intercalate between these two +corps a force equivalent to two army corps. +Between October 30 and November 6 Ypres was +several times in danger. The British lost Zandvorde, +Gheluvelt, Messines, and Wytschaete. +The front of the Allies, thus contracted, was +all the more difficult to defend; but defended it +was without a recoil.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">French +reinforcements.</div> + +<p>The arrival of three French divisions in our +line enabled us to resume from the 4th to the +8th a vigorous offensive. On the 10th and +11th this offensive, brought up against fresh +and sharper German attacks, was checked. Before +it could be renewed the arrival of fresh +reinforcements had to be awaited, which were +dispatched to the north on November 12. By +the 14th our troops had again begun to progress, +barring the road to Ypres against the +German attacks, and inflicting on the enemy, +who advanced in massed formation, losses +which were especially terrible in consequence +of the fact that the French artillery had +crowded nearly 300 guns on to these few kilometers +of front.</p> + +<p>Thus the main mass of the Germans sustained +the same defeat as the detachments operating +further to the north along the coast. +The support which, according to the idea of +the German General Staff, the attack on Ypres +was to render to the coastal attack, was as +futile as that attack itself had been.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Losses +of the +enemy.</div> + +<p>During the second half of November the +enemy, exhausted and having lost in the Battle +of Ypres alone more than 150,000 men, did not +attempt to renew his effort, but confined himself +to an intermittent cannonade. We, on +the contrary, achieved appreciable progress to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +the north and south of Ypres, and insured definitely +by a powerful defensive organization of +the position the inviolability of our front.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="sidenote">The war +in Belgium.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Siege of +Antwerp.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Belgian +troops +retreat to +Ostend.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The territory +left +to the +Belgians.</div> + +<p>We have seen that, with the fall of Liège +the German armies swept through Belgium on +their way to Paris. Brussels was abandoned +as the capital, and the Government moved +hastily to Antwerp, where a portion of the +Belgian army also gathered to defend the city. +The remainder of the Belgian forces, under +the leadership of their gallant King, opposed +as stoutly as their numbers would permit the +advance of the Germans. Battles were fought +at Alost and Termonde in which the Germans +were, for the time, repulsed, but their ever-increasing +reinforcements enabled them to advance +despite the efforts of the Belgians to +check them. Ghent was captured on September +5 and the Belgians, in an effort to stay +the German advance on Antwerp, opened the +dikes and let in the waters of the North Sea. +Termonde fell on September 13, and seven +days later the German armies began the siege +of Antwerp. The military authorities in command +of the city had taken whatever measures +were possible for defense. A body of British +marines was hurried to the beleaguered city +and preparations were made for a long siege. +The Germans brought up guns of heavy caliber, +with which they bombarded the city at long +range. After a brave defense of two weeks, +during which the inhabitants endured many +hardships, it was plain that further resistance +was useless, and the city was surrendered on +October 10. The Belgian troops in the city, +and many of the noncombatants escaped. The +Belgian troops retreated to Ostend, which they +reached on October 11 and 12, after having been +greatly harassed by the pursuing Germans. +On the 13th, Ostend was evacuated, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +occupied by the Germans, and Bruges on the +following day. The German forces now controlled +the whole of Belgium, with the exception +of the northwest corner, north of Ypres, +to the coast of the Channel. This little slip +of territory they held throughout the entire +war, and at what a cost! But the heroic defense +of this territory by the Belgians saved +the French coast cities and prevented the Germans +from breaking through the line which extended +now from the North Sea to Belgium.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE LAST DITCH IN BELGIUM</h2> + +<h3>ARNO DOSCH</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">The Yser +the Belgian's +last +ditch.</div> + +<p>A little piece of the Low Countries, so +small I walked across it in two hours, was +all that remained of Belgium in the last +days of October. A tide-water stream, the +Yser, ebbed and flowed through the sunken +fields, and there King Albert with his remnant +of an army stopped the German military machine +in its advance on Calais. If he and his +forty thousand men had been crushed back ten +miles farther they would have been fighting on +French soil. The Yser was the last ditch in +Belgium.</p> + +<p>The Belgians were able to hold that mere +strip of land against more men and better artillery +because they had determined to die +there. Some of those who had not yet paid the +price of death told me. They were not tragic +about it. There was no display of heroics. +They said it seriously, but they smiled a little, +too, over their wine glasses, and the next morning +they were back in the firing-line.</p> + +<p>I counted on my American passport and my +<i>permit de sejour</i> in Paris seeing me through the +zone of the fighting, and they did. At the +station at Dunkirk, when I admitted I had no +<i>laisser passer</i>, an obliging gendarme led me +to his commander, and he placed his visée on +my passport without question. He asked me +whether I was a correspondent, and I confessed +to it, but it seemed only to facilitate the affair. +Earlier experiences had made me feel that the +French gendarmes were my natural enemies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +but I have had a kindlier regard for them +since.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">Troop +trains.</div> + +<p>The train I was on had ten cars full of +French and Belgian soldiers. The Belgians had +all been recently re-equipped. On other troop +trains which passed us going forward there +were many more Belgian soldiers, some of +whom I had seen only a few hours earlier in +the streets of Calais without rifles. As their +trains passed now I could see them studying +the mechanism and fondling their new firearms.</p> + +<p>Coming in through the suburbs of Dunkirk +we passed hundreds of children perched on the +fences singing the Marseillaise. Nor were their +voices flat and colorless like most school children's. +They felt every word they sang, and +they put their little hearts into it. Looking +back along the side of the cars at the faces of +soldiers leaning out, I could see they were +touched by the faith of the children.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">In +Dunkirk.</div> + +<p>As I rattled along on the cobbles of Dunkirk +half an hour later I heard an explosion with a +note unfamiliar to me. It sounded close, too, +but it did not seem to bother the people of the +street. A few children ran behind their +mothers' skirts and a young girl hurried from +the middle of the street to the protection of an +archway, but that was all.</p> + +<p>Standing up in the fiacre I could see a thin +smoke about three hundred feet away in a garden +in the direction from which the explosion +came, and high in the evening sky I could barely +make out an aeroplane. "A German bomb?" +I asked the driver in some excitement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," he replied, cracking his whip, "we +usually get three or four every afternoon about +this time, but they have not hurt any one."</p> + +<p>Dunkirk that night answered the description +of what a threatened town which was not +afraid should look like. It had none of the depressing +atmosphere of Calais. All the refugees<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +and the wounded were passed on to a safer +place. It was full of French, English, and Belgian +soldiers, with a scattering of sailors and +breezy officers from both the French and English +navies. They kept the waiters in the cafés +on the run, and there was only an occasional +bandage showing from under a cap or around +a hand to indicate these men were engaged in +any more serious business than a manœuvre.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Armored +motor-car.</div> + +<p>In the street, however, in front of the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'statute'">statue</ins> +of Jean Bart, an armored Belgian motor-car +was standing. It was built with a turret where +the tonneau usually is and it was covered with +thick sheet steel right down to the ground. Just +in front of the driver was a slit with a lip extending +over it, giving it somewhat the effect +of the casque belonging to an ancient suit of +armor. That was the only opening except the +one for the barrel of the rapid-fire gun in the +turret. The armor was dented in a dozen places +where bullets had glanced off, but it had only +been penetrated at one spot, about six inches +from the muzzle of the gun. From the soldier +at the steering gear I learned that that bullet +had passed over the shoulder of the man in the +turret.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bombardment +of +Nieuport.</div> + +<p>Twenty-four hours later, at Nieuport, when +the German shells seemed to be falling in every +street and on every house, I saw this car again, +going forward at not less than forty miles an +hour. The turret was being swung to bring +the gun-muzzle forward, as if the gunner were +expecting to go into action almost immediately. +As the last of the Belgian trenches were just +the other side of the town, I have no doubt that +he did.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A walk +to the +firing +line.</div> + +<p>Getting out of Dunkirk was rather more of +a problem than going in. To obtain permission +to ride toward the Belgian line in any kind of +conveyance was an elaborate performance, and +quite properly so, as I soon learned. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +were preparations for defence going on there +which should not have been publicly known. +The country was full of spies. Four suspects +had been picked up on the boat coming from +Folkestone. If I had realized what I was to +see in the next few miles I would not have attempted +what I did. But, as I was anxious +to get on and the firing-line was only twenty +miles away, I decided to walk.</p> + +<p>A French hat and a French suit of clothes, I +think, were alone responsible for my success +in passing through the city gate. Two military +automobiles were stopped and forced to show +their credentials, but I strolled through unmolested. +Once outside, the reservists guarding +the various barricades let me pass as soon +as I showed them my passport viséd in Dunkirk. +I was stopped many times, too, trying +each time not to give an appearance of too great +interest in the works of defence being built all +around me.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sand-dune +barricades.</div> + +<p>Even though this cannot be published for +some time I do not feel free to tell what these +defences were. I have no doubt there are complete +descriptions of these works in the hands +of the German army, their spy system is so thorough, +but I would not care to have any military +secrets escape through anything I write. +I think I can go so far as to say, though, that I +received a liberal education in how to barricade +sand-dunes and low-lying fields.</p> + +<p>Ten miles out of Dunkirk I was surprised to +see a civilian on a bicycle, as civilians were no +longer permitted to go near the theatre of war +on bicycles, a precaution taken against spies. +As he approached I recognized Mr. J. Obels, +the Belgian correspondent of the Chicago <i>Daily +News</i>, whom I had last seen under arrest near +Brussels when the German army first passed +through Belgium. He told me he had been kept +in prison seventeen days by the German military<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +governor of Brussels, but, once released, +was given every possible kind of pass. I was +relieved to see him alive and free.</p> + +<p>As Obels left me to continue his journey to +Dunkirk and on to London to deliver his own +"copy," he advised me to go directly to Furnes, +the most considerable town in what was left of +Belgium, and have my passport viséd again. +So I continued down the long, flat highway, +bordered on both sides by sunken fields, toward +the cannonading I could now hear ahead. The +road had been fairly full of automobiles, motor-trucks, +motorcycles, and bicycles over its whole +length, but it became crowded now with the +addition of a long string of Parisian motor-buses +taking several infantry regiments forward. +A whole artillery division of yellow +French "Schneiders" also took up its share of +the wide road, and at the barricades there were +traffic blockades lasting at times for ten +minutes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The road +to Furnes.</div> + +<p>All the way from Dunkirk I had been struck +by the character of the land. As I approached +Furnes, the dykes were being opened +and half the fields were already inundated. +It seemed a poor country for military operations. +There were at most three highways, all +defended. They could only be taken at a price +no army could afford, and any departure from +them meant being mired in the heavy fields, +now being hastily harvested of a bumper crop +of sugar-beets: at one place a whole French +regiment in uniform was gathering the beets +preparatory to inundation. With the dykes +open these fields would be covered with four +feet of water half the time. The only possible +course for an army was over the sand-dunes, +which lay a mile to the north, looking like +the imitation mountains you see in the scenic-railways +at every amusement resort in the +United States.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Tommies' +battles +on the +sand-dunes.</div> + +<p>A reservist with whom I walked a mile or so +told me Dunkirk had never been successfully +attacked except over those sand-dunes, and the +English and French had fought some of the +bloodiest battles of history there against the +Spanish, when they held Dunkirk. I doubt, +though, that they were as bloody as the battle +I was to see within a few hours.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Belgian +soldiers.</div> + +<p>The old Flemish town of Furnes had much +less military precision about it than Dunkirk. +It was on the very edge of the battle, and an +occasional shell was dropping in the town. One +exploded as I crossed the bridge and entered a +narrow street, but it was on the far side of +town, too far away for the soldiers halted in the +street to notice. These were tired and dirty +men, but not too tired to be courteous. They +were also passing jokes among themselves, and +laughing. By that, even if I had not known +their uniforms, I could have told they were +Belgians.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +enemy +held at +the Yser.</div> + +<p>Every street and every courtyard in Furnes +was full of Belgian soldiers. They were resting +for the day, waiting to go forward at night-fall +to relieve the men on the firing line only five +miles away. Even above the noises of the street +I could hear the answer of their small field +artillery to the heavy assault of the German +guns. Nothing I heard the soldiers say, however, +would have given the idea that the Belgians +considered themselves outclassed by their +enemy. They seemed superbly unconscious of +the absurdity of their position. This was the +tenth day they had held the Germans at the +Yser, and they had done it with rifles and machine +guns, taking punishment every minute +from the big fieldpieces the Germans had +brought against them. So far they had lost +twelve thousand men at that ditch, but the +thought of giving it up had evidently not even +occurred to them. They could not give it up,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +one of them explained to me later, it was all +they had left. There was a little irritation +in his tone, too, as he said it, such as one might +feel toward a child who was slow at grasping +a simple fact.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Military +automobiles and +wagons.</div> + +<p>The town square was full of military automobiles +and a few provision wagons. I did not +see any fieldpieces or machine guns. Every +last one was right up on the firing-line. My feet +were tired from walking over the Belgian +blocks, and I held tenaciously to the sidewalk +passing around the square, though it was +mostly taken up with café tables and bay trees +in boxes. At one point the tables were empty +and a single sentry was sauntering up and +down. I stopped to ask him the way to the +<i>gendarmerie</i>, and, in the middle of giving me +the directions, he came to attention, as a door +opened behind me, and saluted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Two +Belgian +generals.</div> + +<p>Two men came out of the door, one rather +tall, with an easy manner, and smartly dressed +as a general in the Belgian army. The other +was older, also a general, wearing, if anything, +the more gold braid of the two. They entered +a waiting automobile and drove off as casually +as two men at home might leave their office for +their club.</p> + +<p>Something about the first of the two men impressed +me as familiar. I had only seen his +back, but that had arrested my attention. I +thought possibly I had seen him at the beginning +of the war in Brussels, so I asked the +sentry his name.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">King +Albert.</div> + +<p>"That is our king, Albert," he said quite simply.</p> + +<p>During the next couple of days I saw the +King of Belgium a number of times. He spent +his nights at a small villa on the seashore at +La Panne, a hundred yards possibly beyond the +hotel where I spent mine. He passed through +the streets as unnoticed as any one of the other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +Belgians who had retreated from Antwerp and +Ghent ahead of the army, but preferred the +chilly nights in an unheated seaside hotel in +Belgium to comfort somewhere beyond. It +seemed to be a point of courtesy on the part of +the Belgians not to bother their king with ceremony +at this trying time. I doubt if he cares +much for ceremony, anyhow. Searching around +for a single adjective to describe him, I should +call him off-handed. His manner, even then, +while alert, was casual. It is easy to see why +the Belgians love him. If kings had always +been as simple and direct as Albert, I am inclined +to think democracy would have languished.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Luncheon +at La +Panne.</div> + +<p>At La Panne, which I reached at noon on a +little steam railway running from Furnes, I had +luncheon with several Belgian soldiers and a +Belgian in civilian clothes, who told me I would +see all the fighting I was looking for at Nieuport, +just beyond. The civilian, a tall youth +with a blond beard, volunteered to show me the +way to the beach, the shortest route, and ended +by going all the way. He told me he was +recovering from an "attack of Congo," which I +take to be an intermittent fever. He had just +been mustered out of the civic guard and was +waiting for a uniform to join the army. He +had the afternoon free and his Belgian sense +of hospitality impelled him to see that the +stranger was properly looked after.</p> + +<p>For several miles along the wide, flat beach, +which stretches unobstructed as far as Ostend, +except for the piers at Nieuport-les-Bains and +Westende, there were Belgian soldiers bathing +in the shallow water. Some of them, cavalrymen, +were riding naked into the deeper water, +and this, mind you, was late October. They +were even playing jokes on one another, and +did not seem to be paying any attention to the +fifteen English and French cruisers and gunboats<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +which were standing off the shore almost +opposite them, keeping up a steady stream of +fire obliquely along the beach at the sand dunes +just beyond the pier at Nieuport-les-Bains. In +these dunes, <i>five</i> miles away, big German guns +were hidden.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Fishermen +unconcerned.</div> + +<p>Farther on, and even right up to the pier at +Nieuport, we passed, along the beach behind +the shrimp fishermen, who seemed even less +interested in the novel fight on land and sea. +The barelegged men and women were as industriously +taking advantage of the low-tide +as if nothing at all were happening. The +French and English warships were directly opposite +them, and, by this time, they were drawing +the German fire. German shells, probably +from siege guns, were plumping down into the +water all around them only a couple of miles +off-shore, but, though the shrimpers looked up +occasionally when the explosion of a shell fairly +shook the face of the ocean, their attention +would be directed again to their work before +the column of water raised by the shell had had +time to fall again. The shelling kept up about +an hour, but none of the warships was struck. +They kept moving at full-speed in an uneven +line, making it impossible to get their range.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A panorama +of battle.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +try to +cross the +Yser.</div> + +<p>Just before we reached the pier heavy cannonading +began inland. We climbed the sand +dunes and there we came suddenly upon a +perfect panoramic view of the battle all the +way from the dunes across the inundated fields +to Dixmude in the distance. The whole line +of battle for ten miles was in the midst of a +German attack, covered by a terrific artillery +fire. Over the white, red-tiled cottages of the +fishermen, almost lost among the lesser sand +dunes, we could make out the Belgian line +by the fire of their rifle and machine guns. At +two points we could see the Yser Canal and at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +one of these the Germans were trying to throw +across a pontoon bridge.</p> + +<p>We could see it only through the smoke of +breaking shells, but it was the most exciting +event I have ever witnessed. At three miles +or more, though, the figures of the men were so +small, it was hard to keep the fact in mind that +those who dropped were not merely stooping, +but had been shot. Eager to get closer, we +ran over the sand dunes, but never got another +view of it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Running +to see a +battle.</div> + +<p>My Belgian friend knew his way and we +trotted along a raised path among the fields +toward Nieuport. It was under fire, but it +seemed worth the risk to get close enough so we +could see the pontoons being rushed into the +water. As we neared Nieuport, however, the +firing became much more active and we stopped +for second thought. After catching our breath, +we decided to pass through the edge of Nieuport +and to go on to the village of Ramscapelle +to the south of it. Few shells seemed to be +breaking there.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Almost +under +fire.</div> + +<p>Along the cross road we took, alternately +running and walking. The Belgian trenches +were perhaps a half mile beyond us, and we +could make out the tap-tap of the rifle fire +which had been only a continuous cracking a +mile in the rear. Into this the machine guns +cut with a whir. Spent bullets dropped here +and there in the inundated field to the west of +us, but the German shell fire must have been +right in the trenches.</p> + +<p>Somewhere before we reached Ramscapelle +we crossed a road with military automobiles +going both ways, but my desire to get behind +the sheltering buildings of Ramscapelle was too +strong at the moment to take it in.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Fires and +explosions +in Ramscapelle.</div> + +<p>About a hundred yards from the village there +was a house on the edge of a canal, and we +stopped behind it, safe from bullet-fire, to catch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +our breath again. It was as far as we were +destined to get. All at once shells began dropping +on the village, and I have not seen shells +drop so fast in so small an area. In the first +minute there must have been twenty. Three +fires broke out almost at once. Between the +explosions we could hear the falling tiles.</p> + +<p>The short October day grew unexpectedly +dusk and the fires in the village reflected in +the water on the fields. After the bombarding +had been going on without the least let-up for +fully fifteen minutes, a bent old woman, a man +perhaps older but less bent, and a younger +woman appeared on the road to Furnes just +beyond us, hurrying along without once looking +back. They were the only people we saw and +the destruction of the town looked like the +most ruthless piece of vandalism. It had a +military purpose, however. The Germans were +concentrating an attack on it with the hope +of reaching Furnes. They occupied it that +night, but were later driven out again. I have +learned since some of the villagers remained +through that bombardment, and were killed in +their houses.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Destruction of +Ramscapelle.</div> + +<p>While we stood sheltered by the house on +the canal, speculating as to which one of the +houses still standing in Ramscapelle would be +hit next, the light from those on fire reflected +on the dark, brackish water of the canal, which +was running in with the tide. Presently we +noticed something in the water, and, stooping +down in the twilight, we made out the body of +a man face downward. The color of the coat +and the little short skirt to it showed it was +the body of a German soldier. It passed on +and was followed by three more before we left. +They had been in the water several days.</p> + +<p>The fire from the trenches died down at dusk +and we made our way back along the empty +crossroad. Half way back to the dunes we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +passed a Red Cross motor ambulance, headed +toward Ramscapelle. On the seat beside the +driver was a young English woman. She was +wearing the gray-brown coat and gray-brown +puttees of the English soldier. We called out +to her we thought the town was empty, but the +only answer we got from the speeding ambulance +was an assuring wave of the young woman's +hand, which was evidently meant to inform +us she knew where she was going.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Ambulances and +infantry +pass.</div> + +<p>On the main road from Nieuport to Furnes, +which we followed a short distance, there were +dozens of ambulances going to the rear and a +long column of infantry going forward. Headed +toward the rear there were also many wounded +men on foot. They had been dressed at Nieuport, +but there were not enough ambulances +to take them all away. One who was walking +slowly and painfully told me he had a bullet +in his back.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon the Schneiders I had +seen had evidently been placed among the sand +dunes, and they were now bombarding the +German lines over our heads. Crossing over +the sand dunes to the beach, we passed under +two batteries, though we did not see them. +We could tell they were French, though, by the +rapidity of the fire. The French seem to be +able to fire their guns several times as fast as +the Germans or the English.</p> + +<p>A cluster of houses belonging to shrimp +fishermen was right under these batteries, +where they were sure to get some of the return +fire. But we noticed there were lights in every +one of the cottages. Inside were the same +fishermen who were so apathetic about the +fight off-shore.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Battle +of the +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'sand-dunes'">sand dunes</ins>.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Red +flashing +of the +contact +shells.</div> + +<p>The view from the sand dunes was what the +war artists on English illustrated weeklies try +so hard to show. The French batteries were +using shrapnel on the German trenches, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +shrapnel leaving puffs of white smoke in long, +uneven lines; and the Germans were keeping +up their steady pounding of contact shells, +with a short red flash after each explosion. +The firing of the guns on both sides gave the +effect of continuous summer lightning.</p> + +<p>Into the panorama the fleet off-shore kept +up a new attack on the German batteries in +the sand dunes just beyond Nieuport-les-Bains. +As it was dark now we could see where they +were only by the streaks of fire from their guns. +These flashes came and went like the strokes +of a dagger, as if they were stabbing the +dark.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">French +soldiers.</div> + +<p>We went back along the beach to avoid being +questioned, turning around constantly to +watch the fleet. At Coxyde a whole company +of French soldiers was standing along the edge +of the water, jumping back in surprise when +the little waves advanced on them. They told +us they were from the centre of France and had +never seen salt water before.</p> + +<p>The shore there is lined with new villas made +of light colored bricks. One of these had been +dynamited, because it belonged to a German +and was suspected of having a concrete floor +for siege guns. I had heard of cases of this +kind before, but I had never had an opportunity +to examine one.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Concrete +foundations.</div> + +<p>My private thought was that the villa had +probably been built by a German with a passion +for solidity, but, examining it under a +half-full moon, I could see the foundations +were brick walls two feet thick covered with +mosaic backed by reinforced concrete about a +foot thick. It seemed like something more +than Teutonic thoroughness.</p> + +<p>A little later in La Panne I was shown a +concrete tennis court belonging to a German +which had been punched full of holes. It was +in no place thick enough, however, to give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +cause for suspicion that its real purpose was +in any way sinister.</p> + +<p>By the time we regained La Panne I was +hardly able to walk as I had been going hard +all day, a good deal of the way through soft +sand. But even if I had been much more tired +I would have sensed the atmosphere of that +town. To me the little seaside village, built +for summer gayety, had more of the romance +of war in it than any place I have seen.</p> + +<p>The half dozen summer hotels and all the +villas were filled with the mothers, wives, and +children of the Belgian soldiers whose firing +line I had just left. Their homes had been in +Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent. Now they were +in the last little town in Belgium. To some +their soldiers had already returned, and they +were dining as merrily as if to-morrow did not +hold out a reasonable likelihood of being killed. +At the doors of the hotels and on the street +were many others waiting, and, as the street had +filled up with another French artillery division +bivouacked for a few hours, they could not +see their men folk until they were close at +hand.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Refugees +at La +Panne.</div> + +<p>Now and then as we passed we could hear +little gasps of happiness. For some, of +course, there were disappointment and bad +news. But they must have carried their sorrow +to their chambers, as La Panne was all +gayety.</p> + +<p>A comment on the Belgian soldiers made at +the beginning of the war occurred to me: +"They shoot the enemy all day; at night they +come home and kiss mother. In the morning +they kiss mother again and go back to shoot +some more."</p> + +<p>They certainly showed themselves capable +of shaking off the horrors of war before their +women folk. To see them there in La Panne +that night you might have thought it was all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +a sham battle if it had not been for a conviction +of reality that would not shake off.</p> + +<p>It was nearly ten o'clock, now but Belgian +soldiers relieved from the firing line and off +duty for the night were still coming into La +Panne. In the Hotel Des Arcades, which incidentally, +has no arcades, the bar and the dining +room were full of soldiers. Officers and +their men were eating and drinking together +in the pleasant democratic way they have in +the Belgian army. Room was made for us at +the long central table in the dining room, and +all at the table were solicitous to see that we +were at once given plenty to eat and drink. +Several of the fifteen men at the table had +hands or heads bandaged, but that did not +seem to detract from their gayety.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Spirit +of the +Belgian +soldiers.</div> + +<p>A joke was being told as we sat down, and +every one was taking a lively interest in it, +the narrator was a bearded man of fifty, and +he was telling to the delight of the others how +his son had once got the better of him in Brussels +before the war. There were other stories +of matters equally foreign to war. The private +on one side of me told me he was the manager +for Belgium of an American typewriter. The +lieutenant on the other side was in ordinary +times an insurance agent. All the men +there were in business and talked and acted +like a company of young American business +men.</p> + +<p>My first hint that these men had been through +any trying experience was the apology offered +by a new-comer for being late. He entered +rather gravely and said something about having +to take the word to his sister of his brother-in-law's +death. The whole company turned +grave then and conversation from being general +was carried on for a few minutes between +those near together. I asked the typewriter +agent, to fill an awkward pause, whether they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +had seen much action, and he told me their +story.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The fight +on the +road to +Nieuport.</div> + +<p>This was a crack mitrailleuse company of +Brussels. It had been in the fight from Liège +back to Malines and from Antwerp back to +Dixmude and Nieuport. Three days before it +was told to hold a road into Nieuport. It was +a road the Germans must take, if they were +to advance, but the Belgians would not give +way. They were too clever with their rapid-fire +guns to be rushed, and the German bayonet +charges only blocked the road with their dead. +Again and again the gray line came on, but +each time it crumpled before their fire. They +were attacked every hour of the day or night, +but they were always ready. Finally the Germans +got their range and dropped shell after +shell right among them.</p> + +<p>"They blew us all to pieces," the story went +on in a low tone at my elbow. "Those shells +don't leave many wounded, but they littered +the place with arms and legs. They got a +good many of us, but they did not seem to be +able to get our guns."</p> + +<p>I asked what their loss had been, and he +looked around the table, counting, before he +answered.</p> + +<p>"Let's see, now," he said. "We lost some at +Dixmude first. I think there were just seventy +last Monday." This was Thursday. "We had +a pretty bad time," he ended; looking down.</p> + +<p>"How many are there now?" I asked, and +he answered with a sweep of his hand around +the table. "Five or six more," he said. There +were eighteen of them at table now. That +meant twenty-three or twenty-four—out of seventy.</p> + +<p>"The dogs suffered, too," he added. "We've +only got eight out of twenty, and I just heard +the dogs around here have already been pressed +into service."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Courtesy +of the +machine +gunners.</div> + +<p>When I went to bed four of the members +of that shattered mitrailleuse company climbed +three flights of stairs to see that I had a comfortable +room. And these men had just come +out of a trench where they had lost more than +two thirds their number in three days stopping +one of the main lines of the German advance.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Back to +the lines.</div> + +<p>In the twilight of early morning, when the +cannonading had at last died down, I heard the +movement of troops in the street and saw my +friends of the night before falling into line and +getting their equipment straight. By the time +I reach the sidewalk they were moving off, +some of the men helping the dogs with the +mitrailleuse.</p> + +<p>"Big fight last night," said the typewriter +agent smiling. "Company that relieved us got +it hard. We must hurry back."</p> + +<p>They were all very alert and soldierlike in +the chill of the morning, but they were a pitifully +small company as they passed up the +road and were lost in the sand dunes.</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Copyright, World's Work, January, 1915.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In August and September, while on the western +front were being fought the great initial +struggles of the Great War, Turkey, long under +German political influence, was making +ready to cast her lot with the Teutonic Powers. +Germany had already made diplomatic and +military moves which indicated that she was +certain of a Turkish alliance. The strongest +figures of the Ottoman Empire, Enver Pasha +and Talaat Bey were strongly pro-German, although +the latter endeavored for a time to conceal +his real sentiments and intentions under +a cloak of pretended neutrality. The causes +which induced Turkey to side with the Central +Powers rather than with the Allies <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'is'">are</ins> explained +in the narrative which follows.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> +<h2>WHY TURKEY ENTERED<br /> +THE WAR</h2> + +<h3>ROLAND G. USHER</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">Extreme +danger of +Turkey.</div> + +<p>Many people entirely misunderstand the +significance of the declaration of war by +Turkey against Russia, France, and England. +Why these despairing gasps of the dying? +they ask. What possible chance has this +weak, moribund state to survive a clash of arms +with the Triple Entente? Has not the Turk, in +fact, dug his own grave and committed suicide? +In all probability the Turk is in considerable +danger, but the danger does not arise from his +joining Germany. In fact, the war and the +present international situation provide the +Turk with the best opportunity in a century to +achieve the aims cherished by Turkish statesmen +who have the best interests of Turkey +itself at heart. For several years Turkey has +been in extreme peril. It was condemned to +death by the Triple Entente some time ago, +and the prediction of the British Prime Minister +in a recent public speech that this war +would end the existence of Turkey as an independent +power was only the publication of +the sentence of death long since decided upon. +The Sick Man was kept alive by his friends, the +doctors, largely because they deemed his malady +incurable. The moment he showed signs of +convalescence they agreed to poison him. But +for the protection of Germany the political +existence of Turkey would be already a thing +of the past. The Turk, therefore, will stand or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +fall according to the decision in this war for +or against Germany. He will be excessively +foolish not to do everything he can to insure a +German victory.</p> + + + +<div class="sidenote">Entrance +of Turkey +into War.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Constantinople +core +of the +War.</div> + +<p>The entrance of Turkey into the war has long +been foreseen, and its vast significance has long +been clear to students. Some trained observers +go much further: Sir Harry Johnston, a +traveler, statesman, and diplomat of repute, +has declared: "Constantinople is really the +core of the war." In diplomatic circles in +Vienna this summer there was a general agreement +that the loss of Salonika, which the Turk +was forced to hand over to Greece at the end +of the Balkan wars, was a vital blow to the +Triple Alliance, and its recovery would be of +sufficient importance to justify the risk of a +European war to accomplish it. The situation +in the Near East and in the Balkans is an +integral part of the European war. In fact, the +war is not a European war at all; it is a world +war in the most literal sense of the words.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Control of +exit from +the Black +Sea imperative +to Russia.</div> + +<p>At the beginning of the twentieth century +keen observers saw clearly that the old order of +things, which had preserved the Turk so long +in the face of many enemies, had passed away +beyond a peradventure and had left the Turk +in great peril. Ever since the decay of the +strength of the Ottoman Empire the Turk had +been hardly pressed in Europe by Russia and +by Austria, both of whom coveted sections of +his dominions, and both of whom would have +been glad to obtain Constantinople, the gateway +between Europe and Asia. Of the two, +Russia was more insistent because her interests +made the control of the exit from the Black Sea +imperative for her. The Turk, however, until +very recently, was himself strong enough to +throw considerable obstacles in the face of the +invader; he was probably, in 1900, more efficient +than in 1850; but his enemies had grown by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +leaps and bounds. He was confronted by a +new Austria and a new Russia.</p> + +<p>What was worse, the Balkan nations, who +had long been subject peoples, ill-organized, +poverty stricken, had grown with the help of +the Turk's enemies into sturdy, self-reliant, independent +communities with good-sized armies +and something approaching national wealth. +The long years of subjection had left behind +a consuming hatred of the Turk in their +breasts; as Christians, they hated the Turk as +the Infidel; and they promised themselves some +day the control of Constantinople in the interest +of Christianity. The neighbors of the Turk +had grown formidable and would be able to +make short work of him unless help arrived.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Industrial +growth of +Germany.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Old order +changes.</div> + +<p>There was none to be had from his past +friends; so much was only too clear. The shift +in the international situation caused by the +astounding industrial growth of Germany, the +rapid development of the German, Austrian, +and Italian fleets, the increased efficiency of the +armies of the Triple Alliance had all made the +control of the Mediterranean far more difficult +for England and France. They could no longer +spare ships and troops in sufficient numbers +to rescue the Turk from Russia without exposing +themselves more than was wise in northern +Europe. Besides, the designs of the Triple +Alliance made it seem only too probable that +the possession of Constantinople by Russia and +the creation of a fleet in the Black Sea might +be the only means of preserving for the French +and English control of the western Mediterranean. +The old order had changed: the +Turk's friends were now his enemies bent on +his destruction.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Ambition +of new +Turkish +party.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Democratic +and +nationalist +revival.</div> + +<p>Yet there had never been a time when the +Sick Man was more desperately determined to +get well, when life had seemed to him so entirely +desirable. The passing of the old order<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +caused no grief among the Turks—outside of +those few henchmen who had long drawn a +fat revenue from foreign nations. The Turks +had become fired with ambition, with democratic +conceptions, highly inconsistent with the +state of things which the old order had so long +sanctioned. The new democrats declared indignantly +that Turkey had been for years conducted +for the benefit of foreign nations; it +should be conducted in the future solely in the +interests of Turkey. They were roused to enthusiasm +by the past history of the Ottoman +empire and burned to reconquer its old +provinces, to establish a closer relationship between +the provinces which remained. An imperialistic +movement, a nationalistic revival, +if you will, was preached in Turkey by ardent +enthusiasts whose words fell on willing ears. +To the democratic and nationalist revival was +joined religious discontent. The Sultan was +the religious head of the Mohammedan world. +Everywhere the true Believers were in chains. +Everywhere the infidel reigned supreme. From +Constantinople to Mecca, from the confines of +Morocco to the plains of India, the Mohammedan +world was ground under the heel of the +conqueror and the conqueror was the Arch +Enemy of Truth. There must be, they preached, +a great crusade, a united rising to cast out the +Christian dogs and restore the sceptre of empire +to the hand of a devout believer in Allah. +Turkey, Assyria, Asia Minor, Persia, Arabia, +India, Egypt, the whole of Africa, should be +freed from the yoke of the oppressor.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Great +Confederation +of +States.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">From +Berlin to +Bagdad +railroad.</div> + +<p>And now appeared an ally, unfortunately a +Christian, in fact a peculiarly devout Christian, +but one able to save the Turk from his foes, +glad to foster his ambitions. The plans of Germany +for her future involved the creation of a +great confederation of states stretching from +the North Sea to the Persian Gulf and including<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, +Austria, Switzerland, the Balkans, Turkey, and +Persia. These states controlled the great overland +roads from central Europe to the Persian +Gulf and would make possible overland trade +with the East. A railroad already existed as +far as Constantinople, and a railroad from +Constantinople to Bagdad and the Gulf would +not only throw open Asia Minor and the great +plains of Mesopotamia to European capital, +but would furnish a perfectly practicable commercial +road to the East through which in time +would flow a trade which would make the great +Confederation rich. Of this Confederation, +Turkey would be an integral and essential part. +Adrianople, the key to the Balkans; Salonika, +key to the Ægean; Constantinople, controlling +the outlet to the Black Sea and the crossing to +Asia Minor; the land approaches of the Tigris +and Euphrates valleys—all these the Turk had, +all these an alliance with him would give Germany. +The stronger the Turkish State, the +better organized, the larger its army and fleet, +the greater its resources, the more useful it +would be to Germany and the more thoroughly +it would insure the success of Pan-Germanism.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">England +and +France +sustain +courteous +hold on +Constantinople.</div> + +<p>It had been for the interests of England and +France to keep Turkey weak. The Turk must +hold Constantinople, but must not be strong +enough to use it; as a tenant, as a nominal +owner, he was extremely useful; some one had +to own it; England and France could not hold +it themselves; they were determined Russia +should not have it; and the Turk was a useful +<i>locum tenens</i>. They, therefore, frowned upon +Turkish ambitions for democratic government +and would, undoubtedly, have sacrificed the +Turk rather than see an independent Mohammedan +State take real control of Asia Minor +and Northern Africa.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Pan-Germanic +Confederation.</div> + +<p>Germany, on the contrary, wished an active<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +agent to pursue an aggressive policy in her +favor. If the Sick Man could get out of bed +only with assistance, Germany was anxious to +help him; and the Turk vastly preferred an alliance +with a Power which was eager to make +him well to one with Powers almost afraid to +keep him alive. The Turks wished a capable +government, a good army, a State deserving +of independence, and were overjoyed to find +Germany ready and desirous to foster this ambition. +Indeed, as a member of the Pan-Germanic +Confederation, the Turk must be strong +enough to hold Constantinople and the Bagdad +Railway in the event of a general European +war, without depending upon Germany for +more than assistance, supplies, and advice. +Germany and Austria, menaced on both sides +at home, would not be able to take the risks of +sending troops to the Near East, and the Turk +would have to be strong enough to keep at bay +such forces as it seemed likely Russia would +be able to spare from the battlefields of northern +Europe.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Pan-Islam.</div> + +<p>Germany was equally ready to have the Turk +gratify his imperialist and religious ambitions. +Pan-Islam would destroy the political control +of England and France in northern Africa and +in Egypt. It might even overturn the British +Empire in India. This would be the greatest +possible service any one could render Germany, +and it might be one which Germany could accomplish +in no other way. If the Triple Entente +was the greatest foe of Pan-Islamism, +Pan-Germanism should be its greatest friend. +Where ambition and interest coincide, co-operation +is simple.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Reorganization +of +Turkey.</div> + +<p>In complete accord, therefore, the Germans +and the Turks undertook the reorganization of +Turkey above five years or more ago. They +saw with clear vision the real truth about Turkey. +With engaging candor they laid the blame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +for the deficiencies of Turkish government upon +England and France and declared them the +work of intention. Turkey, they saw, was not +a nation in the European sense of the word; it +was not even a single race. It was not a geographical +unit by any means, but a series of +districts on the whole geographically disconnected. +Far from being an economic unit with +a single interest vital to all its inhabitants, +it produced nothing essential to the outside +world which its inhabitants could depend upon +exchanging for European manufactured goods.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Turkey's +economic +interests.</div> + +<p>Its economic interests were potential rather +than real; its trade, the result of its strategic +position rather than of the interests and the +capacity of its population. Normally and naturally +the Turk should be a middleman, a distributor +rather than a producer. He was +placed in control of the continental roads between +Asia and Central Europe, and was able +to control the overland trade as soon as it +emerged from the Caucasus or the Persian Gulf, +and maintain that control until the continental +highway passed into the defiles of the Balkans +beyond Adrianople. Constantinople itself, controlling +the narrow passage which formed the +exit of the Black Sea, was in a position to foster +or hinder the entire trade of southern Russia +with the rest of the world. In fact, it was impossible +to deny, and the Germans thoroughly +well understood it, that the trade of the East +with Europe and the trade of Russia with the +rest of the world might pass through Turkey, +but was not likely to stay there.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Turkey's +important +strategic +position.</div> + +<p>In this important strategic position, economically +valuable to others but not to its inhabitants, +had been collected a peculiar and extraordinary +conglomeration of races, creeds, and +interests; few of which had much in common, +and all of which cherished for each other antipathies +and jealousies almost as old as history.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +The racial problem of Turkey would be less +difficult if the races were only located side by +side in solid masses. With few exceptions the +races interpenetrate one another to a remarkable +extent and the Turk himself is numerically +in the majority in comparatively few districts +of Asia Minor, where the bulk of the Turkish +population lives, and in scarcely any part of +European Turkey. The Turks are literally +overlords, a ruling class.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Turkey's +weak +political +fabric.</div> + +<p>The Turk has governed this vast territory +and this conglomeration of races and religions +by a peculiarly weak political fabric which +seemed in the nineteenth century to combine in +one structure all the disadvantages of centralization, +and all those of decentralization. +Subject peoples have been ruled by a combination +of military, civil, and religious authority +which has been dependent in the long run for +its support on the army. However, had the subject +peoples hated each other less cordially, had +they been more capable of organization and +willing to compromise, they might have ended +the Turkish rule decades ago, army or no army. +Some observers, indeed, have thought the Turkish +Government an artificial sham kept alive +by France and England for their own purposes. +Whatever reasons were to be given, the Germans +and the Turks saw that Turkey as a nation +and Turkey as a state had been, both of +them, practically non-existent. Both had been +names, not realities. Turkey had appeared on +the European maps. A series of so-called +statesmen had taken European bribes in Constantinople; +numerous incompetent and venal +officials had robbed the populace with the help +of the soldiers in the provinces, and this Government +plus the army was Turkey. Turkey had, +indeed, been sick, but that particular kind of +illness, the Turks thought, could be cured; and +the Germans agreed with them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germany's +willingness +to +assist +Turkey.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Germany's +influence +in Turkey.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Reasons +for +Turkey's +joining +Germany.</div> + +<p>We must not forget as observers the exceeding +importance of German willingness to assist +the ambitions of the educated Turks for self-government +and for independence from European +influence. The English and French control +of Turkey was fortuitous and artificial and +depended solely upon the control of a little +group of men in Constantinople. German influence +in Turkey has deep and fundamental +roots in a large and significant part of the +Turkish population and appeals to their best +and highest impulses. We have here in the last +analysis the reasons why Turkey has joined +Germany in the war. The enlightened Turks +see in Pan-Germanism a democratic Turkey +with constitutional self-government, a Turkey +developing its own resources, a Turkey gradually +freeing itself from the fetters of European +alliances and becoming gradually but certainly +strong enough to take its place in the Pan-Germanic +chain as a state of worth, integrity, +and importance. They see in the victory of +Pan-Germanism the effective promise of the +realization of such ideals. They see in the defeat +of Pan-Germanism political and national +death, the annexation of Turkey by its enemies, +and the subjection of the Turks to the rule of +the Infidel. For these reasons they joined +Germany in the first place. For these deep, +fundamental reasons they hold staunchly to +their friend. We shall be guilty of quibbling +and of shortsightedness if we look for an explanation +of Turkish policy in the seizure of +warships and the breach of treaties.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Reorganization +of +Turkey.</div> + +<p>The reorganization of Turkey was duly observed +by the Triple Entente and its purpose +thoroughly well understood. Their opposition +to it was prompt, and Italy attempted by the +Tripolitan War to rob the Turk of one of his +distant provinces. Having seized Tripoli with +the consent of the Triple Entente, Italy then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +changed sides, returned to the Triple Alliance +and took Tripoli with her. The result was a +prompt reversal of the strategic situation in the +Eastern Mediterranean and placed England +and France in such danger that they saw the +moment had probably come when it would be +positively to their advantage to gratify Russia's +ambition and allow her to seize Constantinople. +The Tripolitan War suspended the sword of +Damocles over the Turk's head.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Balkan +War.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +loss of +Macedonia.</div> + +<p>The Balkan War threatened for a time to +annihilate him. The prompt aid of Austria +and Germany as stout representatives in the +international conclave, the mobilization of the +Austrian army, the knowledge that Germany +was ready to mobilize, saved the Turk. The +ambitions of Bulgaria brought her over to the +side of the Triple Alliance, which was more +than ready to assist her in dominating the +Balkans. The second war cost Bulgaria dear +but gave back to the Turk Adrianople. Macedonia, +however, was lost entirely, and much of +Thrace, with Salonika, the key of the Ægean, +was also lost and fell into the hands of the +Turk's enemy, Greece.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Little +likelihood +of attack +on Constantinople.</div> + +<p>The reorganized state was now undeniably in +great peril; and the probability of an outbreak +of a European war in the near future, the +knowledge that the Turk must himself defend +Constantinople and the Bagdad Railway, urged +the Germans and the Turks to great efforts in +reorganizing the army and providing equipment. +The fleet also received attention; two +battleships were building in England and another +was purchased from one of the South +American states. There would this time be no +escape. The death sentence had been passed +upon the Turk, and if he waited for his enemies +to gather and descend upon him defense would +be problematical. It was, of course, realized +that in the long run Germany would save<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +Turkey by battles won in France or in Poland, +and also that German defeats in Europe would +in the long run spell the downfall of Turkey +whatever the Turk did. It was, therefore, advisable +to postpone action as long as possible. +While Russia was exerting herself to the utmost +to mobilize an army in Poland, there was +small likelihood of an attack on Constantinople, +and the Turk might well remain neutral, +equip and organize the army, acquire supplies, +and choose the moment to take the +offensive.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +cruisers +at Constantinople.</div> + +<p>England, on the outbreak of the war, seized +the two battleships building in England, and, +therefore, weakened the Turkish strength in the +Black Sea. The deficiency was supplied by +sending two German cruisers to Constantinople +and selling them to the Turkish Government. +Some weeks ago the Germans judged that the +time had come when the Turk must openly join +in the war, send his troops to the frontier in +order to hold the invader as far as possible +from Constantinople. Indeed, action at this +time might allow the Turk to accomplish results +of the utmost importance. Those who see +simply the fact that Russia could easily overwhelm +the Turk standing alone, that the Balkan +States united might also dispose of him, +entirely fail to grasp the possibilities before the +Turk at the present moment when Russia is +extremely busy in the North, when the Balkan +States seem hopelessly divided, and when Italy +is maintaining with determination her neutrality.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Closing +of the +Black Sea +by +Turkey.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Enormous +value +of oil +supplies +in the +Black Sea +District.</div> + +<p>The most important thing the Turk has done +for Germany has been the closing of the Black +Sea. The sowing of a few mines in the Straits +promptly put an end to Russian trade from the +Black Sea and dealt southern Russia a great +blow commercially. Germany thus struck at +England, because a large part of the English<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +food supply has normally come from the Black +Sea district, and the desire to protect the grain +ships through the Mediterranean has been one +of England's chief reasons for maintaining control +of that sea. So large were these supplies +normally that England has had considerable +difficulty in replacing them and is destined +soon to experience greater difficulty in furnishing +a supply equivalent in volume and accessibility. +The Black Sea district also has large +oil supplies which would be of enormous value +to England and France, now that the extensive +use of the automobile in warfare has made +gasolene a supply second in importance only +to powder and food. If the Turkish navy, augmented +by the German cruisers, can dispose +of the Russian ships in the Black Sea, and this +seems not improbable, the Turk might annex +for Germany this supply of oil. That would be +a stroke of the utmost consequence.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Isolation +of Russia.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Importance +of +Turkey to +Germany.</div> + +<p>Closing the Black Sea by the Turk, plus the +closing of the Baltic by the German fleet in the +North Sea, would also accomplish another extremely +important result, the absolute and complete +isolation of Russia from contact with all +parts of the world except Germany, Austria, +and Turkey. The question has often arisen as +to the ability of Germany to prolong the war in +the face of her inability to export goods to her +usual customers. The complete cessation of +manufacture in Germany would sooner or later +bankrupt the country and bring her to <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word not present in original text">her</ins> knees. +The Germans point out that the isolation of +Russia will have precisely the same effect on +that country unless Russia can find some place +where her raw products can be exchanged for +the manufactured goods which are much more +necessary in warfare than the crude products +which she always has to sell. The experience +of the past has proved again and again that +belligerent countries persistently trade with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +one another when it is profitable. The Germans +expect to sell their manufactured goods in Russia +in exchange for the raw materials which +Russia produces, just as long as their fleet +holds the mouth of the Baltic and the Turk +controls Constantinople. A brisk trade between +Germany, Austria, and Russia is already +reported and if it attains the proportions the +Germans expect, their commercial problem +will have been largely solved. But its continued +solution will depend upon the maintaining +of Turkey in Constantinople. If these considerations +are as important as the Pan-Germanists +have usually claimed, it will be obvious +that the adhesion of the Turk has exceeding +importance for Germany and had long been arranged +in advance.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Control +of the +Suez +Canal +vital to +Great +Britain.</div> + +<p>The possibilities before the Turkish army, +well equipped with modern munitions of war +and capably officered by Germans, have been +by no means forgotten. The great objective +of Pan-Germanism is not in Europe but in Asia +and Africa. The defense of the English and +French dominions in both will have to be made +in Europe. The strength of the German army, +the size of the German fleet, would prevent the +English and French from dissipating their +forces over the vast territory which they claim +to control. The experienced troops in India, +in Egypt, and in Morocco were shipped to +France upon the outbreak of the war exactly +as the Germans expected and hoped. Their +places were filled by less experienced regiments +from France, England, and the English colonies. +Egypt and the Suez Canal, India, and +the great defenses would not be so <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'strongely'">strongly</ins> +held. The Turk occupied a position flanking +Persia and a position flanking Egypt. A +strong, well-trained Turkish army might conceivably +capture either or both. Assistance +from within might well be expected in both,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +and victory in either would exert a moral effect +upon the war in Europe which would be of +the utmost importance. A few hours' possession +of the Suez Canal, furthermore, would +allow the Germans to obstruct it and effectually +block the approach of England to Australia +and India except by the long road around +Africa. Conceivably this might interfere seriously +with the English food supplies from Australia +and New Zealand, particularly with the +supplies of meat from the latter. This would +be more than usually important in view of the +deficiency of meat supplies in the United States +and Canada, and the length of time necessary +to procure them from the Argentine Republic. +It is by these blows at the food supply that the +Germans expect to make the greatest impression +upon England. Short of actual invasion, +the stoppage of supplies is the only method by +which the Germans can inflict suffering upon +England.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bulgaria +ally of +Germany.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">All +Balkan +states +weakened +by Balkan +War.</div> + +<p>No one in Berlin or Constantinople has forgotten +the existence of the Balkans. Servian +enmity, Greek hatred for the Turk, are only too +obvious; Bulgaria is believed to be entirely +faithful to the German interests; Roumania +has never been very trustworthy, and has at +times been an ally of both the coalitions in +Europe. The ability of the Turk, of course, to +hold Constantinople and above all to take the +offensive would depend upon the continued +neutrality or alliance of the Balkan States. +Combined, they are amply strong enough to +overrun Turkey in Europe and probably to +invade Asia Minor in force. All the Balkan +States except Roumania—which is hardly a +Balkan State—were very much weakened in +men and in resources by the late Balkan wars, +and will probably have considerable difficulty +in obtaining any quantity of supplies from +foreign countries, though we are told of large<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +purchases by the Greeks in the United States. +The fact, however, that the Turk has taken the +offensive against Egypt and Persia makes it +extremely probable that the Balkan hatreds +have offset each other. Bulgaria's existence +probably depends upon Austrian protection. +Roumania is probably afraid to take the field +with Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, and Austria +against her, while the Greeks and Servians have +still to recover from the recent wars. It is +probable, therefore, that, Bulgaria and Roumania +being neutral, Servia at war with Austria, +Turkey can take from Greece Salonika and +possibly Macedonia. Should the war in Europe +progress favorably for Germany, the attitude +of the Balkan States toward Germany would +be influenced and a scramble would ensue to +join the victor, which would probably result in +the extinction of Servia and Greece and the +strengthening of Bulgaria and Turkey. Naturally, +the Turk would retake the islands in +the Ægean Sea which are now in Italy's +hands.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Turkey's +position if +Germany +wins in +Europe.</div> + +<p>Let us suppose that all goes as they hope: +that the Germans win in Europe; that the +Turks and Bulgarians take control of the Balkans; +that the Russians are excluded from +Persia, and the English from Egypt. The +victorious Turkish army is then in a position +to advance along the Persian Gulf road upon +India, and would assail India at her weakest +point, outflanking the great defenses at Quetta +which have been developed primarily against +Russia.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Possibilities +of +Pan-Islam.</div> + +<p>We must not forget to enumerate, among the +possibilities, Pan-Islam. Success by the Turks +in Egypt or Persia would undoubtedly give an +impulse to Pan-Islam which might put all the +fanatical enthusiasm of the Mohammedans into +a vast uprising which might sweep the French +and English out of northern Africa and India.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +The Sultan of Turkey is the official head of the +Mohammedan religion. His orders Moslems are +all bound to obey. At present the Mohammedans +in the English and French possessions, +who are, of course, under English and French +influence, are claiming that the acts of the Sultan +are not really his, but those of German +officers; and the reports at the time of writing +indicate that at the present moment the +order from Constantinople for a holy war will +probably not be regarded or obeyed. But a victory +by Turkish arms would probably instantly +change the situation and might loose the pent-up +fanaticism of the most intensely emotional +of the Oriental races. Here is another weapon +in the German arsenal whose use will depend +upon the coöperation of the Turk.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Key of +situation +is Constantinople.</div> + +<p>It should now be evident that there is much +to be said for the view that the key to the present +situation is Constantinople. We are dealing +with world politics, with a world war which +is being fought on the battlefields of Europe; +but we are dealing with a world war whose +results are not expected to develop in Europe +proper. The key to this situation lies in Constantinople, +and the Turk holds it.</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Copyright, World's Work, January, 1915.</small></div> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The outbreak of the Great War found the +British navy in a high state of preparedness, +and so preponderant in number of vessels and +in weight of guns that the German Grand +Fleet as a whole was content to remain behind +the walls of Helgoland. Squadrons were sent +out, however, to attack isolated British ships, +and on August 28 the first naval battle of the +war occurred in the Bight of Helgoland. Here +British and German cruisers engaged in a +struggle in which the honors were for a time +even. The arrival of British dreadnoughts +quickly turned the scale, and the German ships +fled to the safety of their harbor. The Germans<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +lost four large ships, while the British fleet lost +none.</p> + +<p>The German navy was revenged in November +3, when a fleet of warships met and sunk +three British cruisers off the Coronel. On December +9, however, a British fleet, after a search +of many days, came up with and sank three +German cruisers, and severely damaged two +others in the Battle of Falkland Islands.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE FALKLAND SEA FIGHT</h2> + +<h3>A. N. HILDITCH</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">The +Falkland +Islands.</div> + +<p>In 1592, John Davis, the arctic explorer, +after whom the strait between Greenland +and the North American mainland is +named, made an attempt, in company with +Thomas Cavendish, to find a new route to Asia +by the Straits of Magellan. Differences arose +between the two leaders. One was an explorer: +the other had a tendency towards freebooting. +They parted off the coast of Patagonia. Davis, +driven out of his course by stormy weather, +found himself among a cluster of unknown and +uninhabited islands, some three hundred miles +east of the Straits of Magellan. This group, +after many changes and vicissitudes, passed +finally into the hands of Great Britain, and became +known as the Falkland Islands.</p> + + + +<div class="sidenote">Climate +surface, +and vegetation.</div> + +<p>They consist of two large islands and of +about one hundred islets, rocks, and sandbanks. +The fragments of many wrecks testify to the +dangers of navigation, though masses of giant +seaweed act as buoys for many of the rocks. +So numerous are the penguins, thronging in +battalions the smaller islands and the inland +lagoons, that the governor of the colony is +nicknamed King of the Penguins. As New Zealand +is said to be the most English of British +possessions, the Falklands may perhaps be appropriately +termed the most Scottish. Their +general appearance resembles that of the Outer +Hebrides. Of the population, a large proportion +are of Scottish extraction. The climate +is not unlike that of Scotland. The winters are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +misty and rainy, but not excessively cold. +So violent are the winds that it is said to be impossible +to play tennis or croquet, unless walls +are erected as shelter, while cabbages grown +in the kitchen-gardens of the shepherds, the +only cultivated ground, are at times uprooted +and scattered like straw. The surface, much +of which is bogland, is in some parts mountainous, +and is generally wild and rugged. Small +streams and shallow freshwater tarns abound. +A natural curiosity, regarded with great wonder, +exists in 'stone-rivers'; long, glistening +lines of quartzite rock débris, which, without +the aid of water, slide gradually to lower levels. +There are no roads. Innumerable sheep, the +familiar Cheviots and Southdowns, graze upon +the wild scurvy-grass and sorrel. The colony +is destitute of trees, and possesses but few +shrubs. The one tree that the Islands can +boast, an object of much care and curiosity, +stands in the Governor's garden. The seat of +government, and the only town, is Port Stanley, +with a population of about 950. Its general +aspect recalls a small town of the western highlands +of Scotland. Many of the houses, square, +white-washed, and grey-slated, possess small +greenhouse-porches, gay with fuchsias and +pelargoniums, in pleasing contrast to the prevailing +barrenness. A small cathedral, Christ +Church, and an imposing barracks, generally +occupied by a company of marines, stand in the +midst of the town. The Government House +might be taken for an Orkney or Shetland +manse.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Government.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Prosperity +of the +colony.</div> + +<p>The administration of the colony and of its +dependencies is vested in a Governor, aided +by a Colonial Secretary, and by an executive +and a legislative council. The Governor +acts as Chief Justice, and the Colonial Secretary +as Police Magistrate. There is a local +jail, capable of accommodating six offenders at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +a time. Its resources are not stated, however, +to be habitually strained. Education is compulsory: +the Government maintains schools and +travelling teachers. The inhabitants are principally +engaged in sheep-farming and seafaring +industries. The colony is prosperous, +with a trade that of late years has grown with +extraordinary rapidity. The dividends paid by +the Falkland Islands Company might excite +the envy of many a London director. Stanley's +importance has been increased by the erection +of wireless installation; and as a coaling and +refitting station for vessels rounding the Horn, +the harbour, large, safe, and accessible, is of +immense value.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A raid +expected.</div> + +<p>To this remote outpost of empire came tidings +of war in August, 1914. Great excitement +and enthusiasm prevailed. News was very +slow in getting through: the mails, usually a +month in transit, became very erratic. But the +colony eagerly undertook a share in the burden +of the Empire; £2,250 was voted towards the +war-chest; £750 was collected on behalf of the +Prince of Wales's Fund. Detached, though +keen, interest changed, however, as the weeks +passed, to intimate alarm. The Governor, Mr. +Allardyce, received a wireless message from the +Admiralty that he must expect a raid. German +cruisers were suspected to be in the neighbourhood. +Never before had the colony known +such bustle and such excitement. They, the +inhabitants of the remote Falklands, were to +play a part in the struggle that was tugging at +the roots of the world's civilization. The exhilaration +of expectancy and of danger broke +suddenly into their uneventful, though not easy, +lives. But there was cause for keen anxiety. +The colonists were, however, reassured for a +time by a visit from three British warships, the +cruisers <i>Good Hope</i>, <i>Monmouth</i>, and <i>Glasgow</i>, +with the armed liner <i>Otranto</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +warships +arrive.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Search for +German +cruisers.</div> + +<p>The <i>Good Hope</i> had, at the declaration of +war, been patrolling the Irish coast. She was +ordered to sweep the Atlantic trade routes for +hostile cruisers. She reached the coast of +North America, after many false alarms, stopping +English merchantmen on the way, and +informing the astonished skippers of the war +and of their course in consequence. When forty +miles east of New York, Rear-Admiral Sir +Christopher Cradock came aboard with his +staff, and hoisted his flag. The Admiral turned +southwards, sweeping constantly for the enemy. +Passing through the West Indies, he proceeded +to the coast of Brazil. Here he was joined by +the <i>Glasgow</i>. The <i>Good Hope</i> had picked up +the <i>Monmouth</i> previously. The three ships, accompanied +by the auxiliary cruiser <i>Otranto</i>, +kept a southerly course. The discovery at +Pernambuco of twenty-three German merchantmen +snugly ensconced behind the breakwater, +in neutral harbour, proved very galling. The +Straits of Magellan and the cold Tierra del +Fuego were at length reached. The squadron +was on the scent of three German cruisers, the +<i>Leipzig</i>, <i>Dresden</i>, and <i>Nürnberg</i>. It was +suspected that they had gone to coal in this +remote corner of the oceans. Their secret and +friendly wireless stations were heard talking +in code. The British made swoops upon wild +and unsurveyed bays and inlets. The land +around was covered with ice and snow, and the +many huge glaciers formed a sight wonderful +to behold. But the search had proved fruitless. +After rounding the Horn several times, the +squadron had turned towards the Falklands.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Rumors of +disaster.</div> + +<p>The inhabitants could not long rely, however, +upon these powerful guardians. The +squadron, after coaling, departed, again bound +for the Straits of Magellan and the Pacific. +Its strength was certainly adequate to tackle +with success the three German ships believed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +to be in the vicinity. The colony could depend +upon Admiral Cradock to protect it to the best +of his ability. But it was not improbable that +the enemy might evade the patrolling cruisers, +and descend upon the hapless Falklands without +warning. The Governor saw the advisability +of instant preparation. On October 19, +he issued a notice that all women and children +were to leave Stanley. Provisions, stores, and +clothes were hastily removed into the interior, +which was locally termed the 'camp'. The +colony possessed a Volunteer Rifle Company, +some 120 strong, and two nine-pounder field-guns. +Further volunteers were enrolled and +armed. Suddenly, on November 3, an alarming +wireless message was received. The <i>Good +Hope</i> and the <i>Monmouth</i> were reported to have +been sunk off the coast of Chili. It was unsigned. +There was no proof of its authenticity. +But the next day another message followed +from the captain of the <i>Glasgow</i>. The disaster +was confirmed. The <i>Glasgow</i>, in company with +H. M. S. <i>Canopus</i>, was running with all speed +for the Falklands. They were probably being +followed by the victorious Germans. Four days +of acute suspense followed. The situation +seemed critical. The Governor passed several +nights without taking off his clothes, in expectancy +of wireless messages that needed instant +decoding. People slept beside their telephones. +Early in the morning of Sunday, +November 8, the two warships arrived.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Glasgow</i> +arrives.</div> + +<p>The <i>Glasgow</i> was badly damaged. An enormous +hole, three feet by nine feet, gaped in her +side. A shell had wrecked Captain Luce's +cabin, giving off fumes such as rendered unconscious +several men who rushed in to put out the +fire. The vessel had escaped any serious outbreak, +however, and had suffered only four +slight casualties. Warm tributes were paid by +the captain to the cool and disciplined conduct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +of both officers and men. The <i>Canopus</i> had not +been engaged. But a narrative of the preceding +events may now be appropriate.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +cruisers in +Pacific.</div> + +<p>Vice-Admiral the Graf Maximilian von Spee +was in command, at the outbreak of hostilities, +of the German China fleet stationed at Tsing-tao. +A successor, indeed, had been appointed, +and was on the way to relieve him. But just +before war was declared von Spee and his +squadron steamed off into the open seas. To remain +at Tsing-tao while vastly superior forces +were closing in upon him would be to little purpose. +Commerce raiding offered a field for rendering +valuable service to the Fatherland. The +<i>Emden</i> was dispatched to the southern seas. +The <i>Leipzig</i> and the <i>Nürnberg</i> proceeded across +the Pacific, and began to prey upon the western +coast of South America. Half the maritime +trade of Chili was carried in English ships. +Many of them might be seized and destroyed at +little risk. The Admiral, with his two remaining +vessels, the <i>Scharnhorst</i> and the <i>Gneisenau</i>, +successfully evaded the hostile fleets for some +time. On September 14 he touched at Apia, +in German Samoa, familiar to readers of Robert +Louis Stevenson. It could be remembered +how, fifteen years before, this colony, shortly +to fall before a New Zealand expeditionary +force, had been a bone of contention between +Great Britain and Germany. Captain Sturdee, +whom von Spee was soon to meet in more +arduous operations, had on that occasion commanded +the British force in the tribal warfare. +Eight days later, on September 22, the two +German cruisers arrived off Papeete, in Tahiti, +one of the loveliest of Pacific islands. A small +disarmed French gunboat lying there was sunk, +and the town was bombarded. The Admiral, +planning a concentration of German ships, then +steamed east across the Pacific. He got into +touch with friendly vessels. By skilful manœuvring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +he finally brought five warships, +with colliers, together near Valparaiso.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Armament +of +cruisers.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Coal +needed.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Drake's +exploits.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Search for +cruisers.</div> + +<p>The German ships were all of recent construction. +The <i>Scharnhorst</i> and the <i>Gneisenau</i> +were armoured cruisers of 11,600 tons. The +<i>Leipzig</i>, the <i>Nürnberg</i>, and the <i>Dresden</i> were +light cruisers of about 3,500 tons. The armament +of the larger vessels included eight 8·2-inch +and six 6-inch guns. The smaller relied +upon either ten or twelve 4-inch pieces. Each +ship carried torpedo tubes, and the speed of +each was about twenty-two or twenty-three +knots an hour. The <i>Dresden</i>, however, could go +to twenty-seven knots. The squadron possessed +all-important allies. Several German merchant-marine +companies, notably the Kosmos, +plied along the Chilian coast. The tonnage of +their vessels, indeed, amounted to no less than +half that of the English companies. The advance +of German enterprise in Chili in recent +years had been very marked. Von Spee's great +stumbling-block was coal. The laws of war prevented +him from sending more than three of +his warships into a neutral port at the same +time, from staying there more than twenty-four +hours, from taking more coal than was necessary +to reach the nearest German harbour, +from coaling again for three months at a port +of the same nationality. But if German merchantmen, +hampered by no such restrictions, +could constantly renew his supplies, the difficulty +of fuel could be to some extent met. Provisions +and secret information as to British +movements could also be obtained through the +same source. Such employment of merchantmen, +however, being contrary to international +law, would have to be clandestine. The great +Pacific coast offered numerous harbours and +abundant facilities for being utilized as a base +under such conditions. It showed many historic +precedents for bold and adventurous exploits<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +which could not fail to appeal to an admiral +whose family, ennobled by the Emperor +Charles VI, took pride in its ancient and aristocratic +lineage. The occasion seemed opportune, +moreover, for the accomplishment, by +himself, his officers, and men, of deeds which +should inspire their posterity as British naval +traditions, for lack of other, at present inspired +them. They could recall how, on this +very coast, in 1578-9, Drake, the master raider, +had seized a Spanish treasure-ship off Valdivia, +had descended like a hawk upon Callao, had +pounced upon another great galleon, taking +nearly a million pounds in gold and silver; and +how the intrepid mariner, sailing off into the +unknown ocean, had circumnavigated the globe, +while the furious de Toledo waited, with eleven +warships, in the Straits of Magellan. Why, +indeed, should not the Germans imitate, in the +twentieth century, the deeds of Drake in the +sixteenth? If they preyed ruthlessly upon +English merchantmen, laden with the wealth +of the West, if they made a descent upon the +Falkland Islands, if then they were to disappear +into the wide Pacific, a career of splendid +adventure and of unbounded usefulness +would earn for them both the respect and the +plaudits of the world. Australian and Japanese +warships were sweeping the eastern +Pacific for them. Many British vessels, called +from useful employment elsewhere, would have +to join in the search for them. But so vast was +the area that they might elude their enemies +for months.</p> + +<p>British ships were already cruising near the +Horn, possibly unaware that a concentration +of the Germans had been effected. It was +not unlikely that von Spee might be able to +cut off and to destroy stray units of the +patrolling squadrons. The Graf could see +many opportunities of serving effectively the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +cause of the Fatherland. He must utilize them +to the full.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Cradock +near +coast of +Chili.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">German +cruisers +sighted.</div> + +<p>Sir Christopher Cradock, meanwhile, had +rounded the Horn once more, and was cruising +northwards up the coast of Chili. That coast, +indeed, once the haunt of corsairs and filibusters, +was rich in historic associations and in +natural beauties. An element of grandeur and +of mystery seemed to hover around the countless +ridges and peaks of the Andes, stretching, +with the gleam of their eternal snows, for four +thousand miles, and gazing down across the +illimitable waters of the occident. Upon the +plateaux, miles above sea level, stood old stone +temples and pyramids which rivalled in massiveness +and ingenuity those of Egypt and of +Babylon. The student of ancient civilizations +could trace, in the mystic deities of the Incas +and Araucanians, a strange similarity to the +deities of the Chaldeans and Babylonians. +Speculation upon this analogy formed a fascinating +theme. This coast, too, was sacred +to memories that could not but be dear to +sailors as gallant and daring as Cradock, since +his services in China, in 1900, was known to +be. Among other familiar British names, +Cochrane, Lord Dundonald, had won enduring +glory in the struggle for Chilian independence, +nearly a hundred years before. The conditions +of naval warfare had, indeed, through the introduction +of armour and the perfection of +weapons, radically changed since Cochrane, in +a series of singularly audacious exploits, had +overcome the fleets of Spain. Sea-fighting had +become purely a matter of science. The object +of strategy was to concentrate faster ships +and more powerful guns against weaker force. +The odds with which Cradock was to contend +against the Germans were greater in proportion, +if less in bulk, than the odds with which +Cochrane had contended, with his peasant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +crews and his hulks, against the Spanish +"wooden-walls". Admiral Cradock now knew +that there were two more cruisers in the neighbourhood +than had at first been supposed. The +<i>Canopus</i> had accordingly been sent to join his +squadron. But she was a battleship, and much +slower than the cruisers. She could travel no +faster than at eighteen knots. Cradock proceeded +northwards, ahead of the <i>Canopus</i>, made +a rendezvous off Concepcion Bay for his colliers, +and went into Coronel and on to Valparaiso +to pick up news and receive letters. The +squadron then returned to the rendezvous and +coaled. This completed, the Admiral directed +the <i>Glasgow</i> to proceed again to Coronel to dispatch +certain cables. Captain Luce duly carried +out his mission, and left Coronel at nine +o'clock on Sunday morning, November 1, steaming +northwards to rejoin the other ships. A +gale was rising. The wind was blowing strongly +from the south. Heavy seas continually +buffeted the vessel. At two o'clock a wireless +signal was received from the <i>Good Hope</i>. Apparently +from wireless calls there was an enemy +ship to northward. The squadron must +spread out in line, proceeding in a direction +north-east-by-east, the flagship forming one extremity, +the <i>Glasgow</i> the other. It was to move +at fifteen knots. At twenty minutes past four +in the afternoon, smoke was observed upon the +horizon. The <i>Glasgow</i> put on speed and approached. +Officers soon made out the funnels +of four cruisers. It was the enemy. The Germans, +their big armoured cruisers leading, and +the smaller behind, gave chase.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +squadrons +approach.</div> + +<p>The <i>Glasgow</i> swept round to northward, calling +to the flagship with her wireless. Von Spee, +anticipating this move, at once set his wireless +in operation, in order to jamb the British +signals. Captain Luce soon picked up the +<i>Monmouth</i> and the <i>Otranto</i>, and the three ships<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +raced northwards towards the flagship, the +<i>Glasgow</i> leading. At about five o'clock the +<i>Good Hope</i> was seen approaching. The three +ships wheeled into line behind her, and the +whole squadron now proceeded south. Von +Spee, coming up from that direction in line +ahead, about twelve miles off, changed his +course and also proceeded south, keeping +nearer to the coast. The wind was now blowing +almost with the force of a hurricane. So +heavy was the sea that small boats would have +been unable to keep afloat. But the sky was +not completely overcast, and the sun was shining. +Firing had not opened. The washing of +the seas and the roaring of the wind deafened +the ear to other sounds. The warship of to-day, +when her great turbines are whirling round at +their highest speed, moves without throb and +almost without vibration through the waves. +The two squadrons, drawing level, the Germans +nearer to the coast, raced in the teeth +of the gale, in two parallel lines, to the +south.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +vessels.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Cradock +orders +attack.</div> + +<p>Sir Christopher Cradock could not but realize +that the situation was hazardous. He had +three vessels capable of fighting men-of-war. +The <i>Otranto</i> was only an armed liner, and must +withdraw when the battle developed. The <i>Good +Hope</i> displaced some 14,000 tons, and was +armed with two 9'2-inch and sixteen 6-inch +guns. The <i>Monmouth</i>, with a tonnage of 9,800, +carried fourteen 6-inch pieces, but the <i>Glasgow</i>, +a ship of 4,800 tons, had only two of the 6-inch +weapons. It was certain that the German +8·2-inch guns, if the shooting was at all good, +would be found to outrange and outclass the +British. Cradock was certainly at a disadvantage +in gun-power. His protective armour +was weaker than that of the enemy. Nor did +his speed give him any superiority. Though +the <i>Glasgow</i> was capable of twenty-six knots,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +the flagship and the <i>Monmouth</i> could only go +to twenty-three. But there was another consideration +which the Admiral might weigh. +Coming slowly up from the south, but probably +still a considerable distance off, was the +battleship <i>Canopus</i>. Her presence would give +the British a decided preponderance. She was +a vessel of some 13,000 tons, and her armament +included four 12-inch and twelve 6-inch pieces. +How far was she away? How soon could she +arrive upon the scene? Evening was closing +in. Cradock was steering hard in her direction. +If the British, engaging the enemy immediately, +could keep them in play throughout +the night, when firing must necessarily be desultory, +perhaps morning would bring the +<i>Canopus</i> hastening into the action. It was +possible that the Germans did not know of her +proximity. They might, accepting the contest, +and expecting to cripple the British next morning +at their leisure, find themselves trapped. +But in any case they should not be allowed to +proceed without some such attempt being made +to destroy them. It must not be said that, because +the enemy was in greater force, a British +squadron had taken to flight. Perhaps it would +be better, since darkness would afford little +opportunity of manœuvring for action, to draw +nearer and to engage fairly soon. It was about +a quarter past six. The Germans were about +15,000 yards distant. Cradock ordered the +speed of his squadron to seventeen knots. He +then signalled by wireless to the <i>Canopus</i>, 'I +am going to attack enemy now'.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">At closer +range.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Only gun +flashes to +direct fire.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The <i>Good Hope</i> +blown up.</div> + +<p>The sun was setting. The western horizon +was mantled by a canopy of gold. Von Spee's +manœuvre in closing in nearer to the shore +had placed him in an advantageous position as +regards the light. The British ships, when the +sun had set, were sharply outlined against the +glowing sky. The Germans were partly hidden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +in the failing light and by the mountainous +coast. The island of Santa Maria, off Coronel, +lay in the distance. Von Spee had been gradually +closing to within 12,000 yards. The appropriate +moment for engaging seemed to be +approaching. A few minutes after sunset, +about seven o'clock, the leading German cruiser +opened fire with her largest guns. Shells +shrieked over and short of the <i>Good Hope</i>, +some falling within five hundred yards. As +battle was now imminent, the <i>Otranto</i> began +to haul out of line, and to edge away to the +south-west. The squadrons were converging +rapidly, but the smaller cruisers were as yet +out of range. The British replied in quick +succession to the German fire. As the distance +lessened, each ship engaged that opposite in +the line. The <i>Good Hope</i> and the <i>Monmouth</i> +had to bear the brunt of the broadsides of the +<i>Scharnhorst</i> and the <i>Gneisenau</i>. The <i>Glasgow</i>, +in the rear, exchanged shots with the light +cruisers, the <i>Leipzig</i> and the <i>Dresden</i>. The +shooting was deadly. The third of the rapid +salvos of the enemy armoured cruisers set the +<i>Good Hope</i> and the <i>Monmouth</i> afire. Shells +began to find their mark, some exploding overhead +and bursting in all directions. In about +ten minutes the <i>Monmouth</i> sheered off the line +to westward about one hundred yards. She +was being hit heavily. Her foremost turret, +shielding one of her 6-inch guns, was in flames. +She seemed to be reeling and shaking. She +fell back into line, however, and then out again +to eastward, her 6-inch guns roaring intermittently. +Darkness was now gathering fast. The +range had narrowed to about 5,000 yards. The +seven ships were all in action. Many shells +striking the sea sent up columns of white spray, +showing weirdly in the twilight. It was an impressive +scene. The dim light, the heavy seas, +the rolling of the vessels, distracted the aim.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +Some of the guns upon the main decks, being +near the water-line, became with each roll almost +awash. The British could fire only at the +flashes of the enemy's guns. Often the heavy +head seas hid even the flashes from the gun-layers. +It was impossible to gauge the effect +of their shells. The fore-turret of the <i>Good +Hope</i> burst into flames, and she began to fall +away out of line towards the enemy. The +<i>Glasgow</i> kept up a continual fire upon the +German light cruisers with one of her 6-inch +guns and her port batteries. A shell struck +her below deck, and men waited for the planks +to rise. No explosion nor fire, however, occurred. +But the British flagship was now +burning brightly forward, and was falling more +and more out of line to eastward. It was about +a quarter to eight. Suddenly there was the +roar of an explosion. The part about the <i>Good +Hope's</i> after-funnel split asunder, and a column +of flame, sparks, and débris was blown up to a +height of about two hundred feet. She never +fired her guns again. Total destruction must +have followed. Sir Christopher Cradock and +nine hundred brave sailors went down in the +stormy deep. The other ships raced past her +in the darkness. The <i>Monmouth</i> was in great +distress. She left the line after a while, and +turned back, steaming with difficulty to northwest. +She had ceased firing. The vessels had +been travelling at a rate which varied from +seven to seventeen knots. The <i>Glasgow</i>, now +left alone, eased her speed in order to avoid +shells intended for the <i>Monmouth</i>. The Germans +dropped slowly back. The <i>Scharnhorst</i> +and the <i>Gneisenau</i> now concentrated their +salvos upon the <i>Glasgow</i>. The range was about +4,500 yards. A shell struck the second funnel: +five others hit her side at the waterline, but +fortunately not in dangerous places. Luce, +her captain, since the flagship was no more,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +was senior officer. He brought his vessel round +and moved rapidly back.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Monmouth</i> +in distress.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy is +signalling +in Morse.</div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Glasgow</i> +draws +away.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Monmouth</i> +finally +capsizes.</div> + +<p>The <i>Monmouth</i> had now fallen away to a +north-easterly course. Luce stood by signalling. +Could she steer north-west? She was making +water badly forward, Captain Brandt answered, +and he wanted to get stern to sea. The enemy +were following, Luce signalled again. There +was no reply. The <i>Glasgow</i> steamed nearer. +The <i>Monmouth</i> was in a sinking condition. +Her bows were under water, and the men were +assembled at the stern. The sea was running +very high. Rain and mist had come on, though +a moon was now rising. The enemy had altered +course, and were approaching in line abreast +about 6,000 yards away. A light kept twinkling +at regular intervals from one of the ships. +They were signalling in Morse, and evidently +were forming plans of action. Firing was still +proceeding intermittently. It was about half-past +eight. Captain Luce could see nothing +for it but to abandon the <i>Monmouth</i> to her +fate. To rescue her crew, under such conditions, +was impossible, while to stand by and +endeavour to defend her would be folly. The +<i>Glasgow</i> was not armoured, and could not contend +with armoured vessels. Of the two guns +she possessed capable of piercing the enemy's +armour, one had been put out of action ten minutes +after the start. If she stayed and fought +to the end, 370 good lives, in addition to the +sufficiently heavy toll of 1,600 in the <i>Good Hope</i> +and the <i>Monmouth</i>, would be needlessly sacrificed. +The <i>Canopus</i>, moreover, must be warned. +She was coming up from the south to sure +destruction. She could hardly be expected successfully +to combat the whole German squadron. +Nevertheless, it must have been with +heavy hearts that the men of the <i>Glasgow</i> +turned away to seek safety in flight. It is +recorded that, as they moved off into the darkness,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +a cheer broke forth from the <i>Monmouth's</i> +decks. Before the sinking vessel became lost to +sight another and a third went up. At about +a quarter past nine the <i>Nürnberg</i>, which had +not been engaged in the main action, came +across the <i>Monmouth</i>. It is said that, though +in a sinking condition, the British ship attempted +to ram her enemy. But the <i>Nürnberg</i> +began to bombard her, and she capsized.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Glasgow</i> +and +<i>Canopus</i> +start for +Rio de +Janeiro.</div> + +<p>The <i>Glasgow</i> steamed off in a north-westerly +direction. A few minutes before nine the +enemy became lost to sight. Half an hour later +many distant flashes of gunfire, the death-struggle +of the <i>Monmouth</i>, were seen. The play +of a searchlight, which lasted a few seconds +and then disappeared, was also observed. The +vessel bore round gradually to the south. Her +wireless was put into operation, and she made +efforts to get through to the <i>Canopus</i>. But the +Germans had again set their apparatus in +motion, and the messages were jambed. Only +after some hours was the <i>Glasgow</i> successful. +Steaming hard at twenty-four knots through +the heavy seas, her engines and boilers fortunately +being intact, she at length joined the +battleship. The two ships made straight for +the Falkland Islands.</p> + +<p>The news of the disaster stirred great alarm +in the colony. Before the day on which the +ships arrived was out the dismay was further +increased. The <i>Canopus</i> at first expected to +stay ten days. Her presence provided substantial +relief. If the enemy appeared, she +and even the damaged <i>Glasgow</i> could give a +very good account of themselves. But during +the morning Captain Grant of the <i>Canopus</i> received +a wireless message from the Admiralty. +He was to proceed immediately to Rio de +Janeiro with the <i>Glasgow</i>. The Brazilian Government +had granted the latter permission to +enter the dry dock there to make urgent repairs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +But seven days only were allowed for +this purpose. In the evening the warships cast +off, and steamed away to northward.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The colony +almost defenseless.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Falklands +prepare +for attack.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Burying +the +Governor's +silver and +table linen.</div> + +<p>Stanley was now in an unenviable situation. +A powerful German squadron, flushed with +victory, was probably making for the Islands. +The colony was almost defenceless. All the +opposition that the enemy would meet would +be from a few hundred volunteers. A wireless +message that came through emphasized the +imminence of the danger. Warnings and instructions +were outlined. If the enemy landed, +the volunteers were to fight. But retiring tactics +must be adopted. Care should be taken +to keep out of range of the enemy's big guns. +The Governor at once called a council of war. +There could be little doubt that a descent would +be made upon the colony. The position was +full of peril. But resistance must certainly +be offered. The few women, children, and old +men who still remained at Stanley must be +sent away immediately. Fortunately the time +of year was propitious. November is, indeed, +in the Falklands considered the only dry month. +The ground is then covered with a variety of +sweet-scented flowers. Further, all the stores +it was possible to remove must be taken into +the 'camp'. Quantities of provisions must be +hidden away at various points within reach of +the town. In order to add to the mobility of +the defending force, it would be well to bring +in another hundred horses from the 'camp'. +Every man should be mounted. These measures +were duly carried out. Every preparation was +made and every precaution taken. Everybody +began to pack up boxes of goods. Clothes, +stores, and valuables were all taken away to +safety. Books, papers, and money were removed +from the Government offices, and from +the headquarters of the Falkland Islands Company. +What was not sent away was buried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +The official papers and code-books were buried +every night, and dug up and dried every morning. +The Governor's tableclothes gave rise to +much anxiety. It was thought, since they were +marked 'G. R.', they would be liable to insult +by the Germans. They were accordingly buried. +This conscientious loyalty, however, proved +costly. The Governor's silver, wrapped in +green baize, was, unfortunately, placed in the +same hole. The tablecloths became mixed up +with the baize. The damp got through, and +the linen was badly stained. There was a feeling +that the attack would come at dawn. People +sat up all night, and only went to bed when +morning was well advanced. All offices were +closed and business was suspended. This state +of tension lasted several days. At length, from +the look-out post above the town, a warship, +apparently a cruiser, was seen making straight +for the wireless station. When she got within +range she turned broadside on. Her decks +were cleared for action.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Canopus</i> +arrives.</div> + +<p>There was a call to arms. Church and dockyard +bells pealed out the alarm. Non-combatants +streamed out of the town into the 'camp'. +The volunteers paraded, and lined up with their +horses. It would soon become a question +whether to resist a landing or to retire. In +any event the men were ready and provided +with emergency rations. But no firing sounded. +Signals were exchanged between the vessel and +the shore. It was a false alarm. The new-comer +was H. M. S. <i>Canopus</i>.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A serious +outlook—decks +are +cleared for +action.</div> + +<p>She had proceeded, in accordance with her +orders, towards Rio de Janeiro with the <i>Glasgow</i>. +When two days' journey off her destination, +however, she received another message. +She was directed to return and to defend the +Falklands in case of attack. These instructions +were received with mingled feelings. To +fight alone a powerful squadron was by no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +means an attractive prospect. Duty, however, +was duty. The <i>Canopus</i> turned about, and retraced +her passage. She set her wireless in +operation, and tried to get through to Stanley. +But for some reason she was unable to do so. +It was concluded that the Germans had made +a raid and had destroyed the wireless station. +Probably they had occupied the town. The outlook +seemed serious. The <i>Canopus</i> had her instructions, +however, and there was no drawing +back. The decks were cleared for action. Ammunition +was served out. Guns were loaded +and trained. With every man at his post the +ship steamed at full speed into the harbour. +Great was the relief when it was found that +all was well.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +raid anticipated.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Shackleton's +visit +to South +Georgia.</div> + +<p>The inhabitants were not less relieved. The +presence of the battleship was felt to add materially +to the security of the town. The Germans +would probably hesitate before attacking +a ship of her size. If they sustained damage +involving loss of fighting efficiency, there +was no harbour they could turn to for repair, +except so far as their seaworthiness was affected. +Nevertheless, it was almost certain +that some raid upon the Islands would be attempted. +Guns were landed from the ship, and +measures were taken to make the defence as +effective as possible. Perhaps if the enemy +blockaded Stanley, the British would be able +to hold out until other warships, certain to be +sent to avenge the defeat, arrived. Relief could +hardly be expected for two or three weeks. The +Falklands formed a very distant corner of the +Empire. It was doubtful, indeed, whether even +the ubiquitous German spy had penetrated to +these remote and barren shores. It could, however, +be recalled that, in 1882, a German expedition +had landed on South Georgia, a dependent +island of the Falklands, eight hundred +miles to their south-east, to observe the transit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +of Venus. Upon that same island, indeed, another +and a quite unsuspicious expedition had +landed, early in that very month, November. +Sir Ernest Shackleton, the explorer, had left +Buenos Ayres on the morning of October 26, +on his way across the antarctic continent. His +little vessel of 230 tons, the <i>Endurance</i>, passed +through the war zone in safety, and reached +South Georgia on November 5. He remained +for about a month before leaving for the lonely +tracts for which his little party was bound. +The island was his last link with civilization. +Though sub-antarctic, it possessed features as +up-to-date as electric-light, universal even in +pigsties and henhouses. And the march of man, +it was observed, had introduced the familiar +animals of the farmyard, and even a monkey, +into a region whose valleys, destitute of tree +or shrub, lay clothed with perpetual snow.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sturdee's +squadron +reaches +Port +Stanley.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">German +cruisers +sighted.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, November passed into December +without any appearance of the Germans off the +Falklands. The tension became very much relieved. +Women and children were brought back +to Stanley, after being away a month or six +weeks. Messages emanating from the hostile +squadron, registered by the wireless station, +indicated that the enemy were still in the +vicinity. But the condition of the colony became +again almost normal. The relief and +security were complete when, at length, on +Monday, December 7, a powerful British squadron, +under Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee, +arrived at Port Stanley. There were seven +warships, besides the <i>Canopus</i>. The <i>Invincible</i> +and the <i>Inflexible</i> had left Plymouth on November +11, and had proceeded to the West +Indies. Their mission was to avenge Coronel. +They had picked up at Albatross Rock the +<i>Carnarvon</i>, <i>Cornwall</i>, <i>Bristol</i>, <i>Kent</i>, <i>Glasgow</i>, +now repaired, and <i>Macedonia</i>, an armed liner. +All had then steamed southwards towards the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +Falklands. The vessels started coaling. Officers +came ashore to stretch their legs. Certain +stores were laid in. It was anticipated that +the squadron would depart in search of the +enemy on the evening of the following day. +That search might, indeed, be a matter of +months. Early next morning, December 8, at +about eight o'clock, a volunteer observer posted +on Sapper's Hill, two miles from Stanley, +sighted two vessels upon the horizon. Twenty +minutes later the smoke of two others came into +view in the same direction. They were soon +recognized as German cruisers. The excitement +was intense. The news was immediately +carried to the authorities. It was hastily signalled +to the fleet. Most of the ships were at +anchor in Port William, the outer entrance to +Port Stanley. Some of the naval officers were +aroused from their repose. It is recorded that, +upon hearing the news, the flag-lieutenant +dashed down to Admiral Sturdee's cabin, clad +in his pyjamas. Sir Doveton was shaving. The +lieutenant poured forth his information. 'Well,' +said the Admiral, dryly, 'you had better go and +get dressed. We'll see about it later.'<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1">[1]</a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor"></a></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Achievements +of the +raiders.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Supplies +hard to +obtain.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +question of +neutrality.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Chile's +neutrality.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Falklands +a possible +base.</div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Gneisenau</i> +and +<i>Nürnberg</i> +fire on +wireless +station.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +are surprised.</div> + +<p>The Graf von Spee had, meanwhile, after the +Battle of Coronel, been devoting himself to +harrying maritime commerce. The Falklands +could wait for the present. Since the beginning +of hostilities the work of his light cruisers +had been moderately successful. The <i>Nürnberg</i> +had cut the cable between Bamfield, British +Columbia, and Fanning Island. The <i>Leipzig</i> +had accounted for at least four British merchantmen, +and the <i>Dresden</i> for at least two +more. The armed liner <i>Eitel Friedrich</i> had also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +achieved some success. Several traders had +had narrow escapes. The Chilian coast was +in a state of blockade to British vessels, the +ports being crowded with shipping that hesitated +to venture forth into the danger zone. +The Germans were masters of the Pacific and +South Atlantic trade routes. The Straits of +Magellan and the Horn formed a great waterway +of commerce, which for sailing vessels +was, indeed, the only eastern outlet from the +Pacific. But completely as he had the situation +in hand, von Spee was experiencing increasing +problems and difficulties with regard +to supplies of coal and provisions. Without +these he was impotent. He had been employing +German merchantmen to great advantage for +refueling. But trouble was brewing with the +Chilian authorities. Many signs were leading +the latter to suspect that, contrary to international +law, German traders were loading at +Chilian ports cargoes of coal and provisions, +contraband of war, and were transferring them +at sea to the German warships. There were +other causes of complaint. Juan Fernandez, +the isle of romance and of mystery, the home of +the original of Robinson Crusoe, was said to +have been degraded into use as a base for apportioning +the booty, coals and victuals, among +the belligerent vessels. The island was a +Chilian possession. It was practically certain +that von Spee's squadron had stayed there beyond +the legal limit of time. A French merchantman +had, contrary to rule, also been sunk +there by the <i>Dresden</i>, within Chilian territorial +waters. Inquiries in other quarters were being +made, moreover, as to the friendly wireless +stations which the Germans had been utilizing +secretly in Colombia and Ecuador; while a +rumour was current in the United States that +neutral vessels had been seized and pillaged on +the high seas. Von Spee soon found that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +was nearing the end even of his illegitimate resources. +He had tried the patience of the +Chilian authorities too far. About the middle +of November they suddenly prohibited, as a +provisional measure, the vessels of the Kosmos +Company from leaving any Chilian port. On +November 24 a Government ship was sent to +Juan Fernandez to investigate, and to see that +Chilian neutrality was upheld. Many such +signs seemed to warn von Spee that the time +was appropriate to a sudden disappearance. +He gathered his squadron for a descent at last +upon the Falklands. His plans must be, not +merely for a raid, but for an occupation. There +were probably two or three small ships there. +They should be sunk. The wireless station +must be destroyed. The Islands, after a landing +had been effected and the defence reduced, +could be used as a base for the German operations. +There were large quantities of coal and +stores at Stanley. The harbour possessed facilities +for refitting. To dislodge a strong German +naval force, with adequate guns, placed in occupation +of the colony, would be a difficult task +for the enemy. The Falklands had many possibilities. +According to von Spee's information +they were feebly defended and would fall an +easy prey. At length, early in the morning of +December 8, the Admiral brought his fleet off +Stanley. His five cruisers approached from the +south. They were, of course, observed. A +warning gun, probably from one of the small +ships which he would shortly sink, sounded the +alarm inside the harbour. There was no need, +however, for haste. At twenty minutes past +nine the <i>Gneisenau</i> and the <i>Nürnberg</i> moved +towards the wireless station, and brought their +guns to bear upon it. But suddenly from inside +the harbour there came the thunder of a +big gun. Five shells, of very heavy calibre, +screamed in quick succession from over the low-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>lying +land. One of the vessels was struck. Surprise +and bewilderment took the Germans. +This was most unexpected. The <i>Gneisenau</i> +and the <i>Nürnberg</i> hastily retired out of range.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Strength +of British +squadron.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Admiral +Sturdee +both confident +and +cautious.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +eight miles +away.</div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Canopus</i> +opens +fire.</div> + +<p>Sir Doveton and his fleet, meanwhile, had +gone to breakfast. Steam for full speed was +got up as rapidly as possible. Coaling operations +had recommenced at 6.30 that morning. +The colliers were hurriedly cast off, and the +decks were cleared for action. Officers and +men were delighted at the prospect of an early +fight. The Germans had saved them a long cold +search around the Horn by calling for them. +There was going to be no mistake this time. +The enemy could not escape. Sturdee's squadron +was superior both in weight and speed to +the German. It consisted of two battle-cruisers +of over 17,000 tons, the <i>Invincible</i> and <i>Inflexible;</i> +of three cruisers of about 10,000 tons, +the <i>Carnarvon</i>, <i>Kent</i>, and <i>Cornwall;</i> and of two +light cruisers of 4,800 tons, the <i>Glasgow</i> and +<i>Bristol</i>. The primary armament of the <i>Invincible</i> +and <i>Inflexible</i> was eight 12-inch guns; +of the <i>Carnarvon</i>, four 7'5-inch; of the <i>Kent</i> and +<i>Cornwall</i>, fourteen 6-inch; of the <i>Glasgow</i> and +<i>Bristol</i>, two 6-inch. The speed of the battle-cruisers +was twenty-eight knots; of the three +middle-class cruisers, twenty-two to twenty-four +knots; and of the light cruisers, twenty-five +to twenty-six knots. In size, in armament, +in speed, the British squadron would decidedly +preponderate. Admiral Sturdee, however, +though confident of victory, was determined to +take no risks, and to minimize loss in men and +material by making full use of his superior +long-range gunfire, and of his superior speed. +He would wait, screened by the land, until the +Germans had drawn nearer. Everything should +be got ready carefully. Undue excitement was +to be deprecated. Meanwhile, he watched the +enemy closely. At about a quarter to nine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +Captain Grant of the <i>Canopus</i> reported that +the first two ships sighted were now about eight +miles away: the other two were still at a distance +of some twenty miles. The <i>Kent</i> passed +down the harbour and took up a position at +the entrance. Five minutes later the smoke +of a fifth German vessel was observed. When, +in about half an hour's time, the two leading +enemy ships made a threatening move in the +direction of the wireless station, the Admiral +ordered a swift counterstroke. Officers upon +the hills above the town signalled the range, +11,000 yards, to the <i>Canopus</i>. She opened fire +with her 12-inch guns. The Germans hoisted +their colours and drew back. Their masts and +smoke were now visible from the upper bridge +of the <i>Invincible</i> across the low land bounding +Port William on the south. Within a few minutes +the two cruisers altered course and made +for the harbour-mouth. Here the <i>Kent</i> lay +stationed. It seemed that the Germans were +about to engage her. As, however, they approached, +the masts and funnels of two large +ships at anchor within the port became visible +to them. The <i>Gneisenau</i> and the <i>Nürnberg</i> +could hardly expect to contend alone with this +force. They at once changed their direction, +and moved back at increased speed to join their +consorts.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Weather +unusually +fair.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Chase +begins.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">More +German +ships +sighted.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Battle +joined.</div> + +<p>The morning was gloriously fine. The sun +shone brightly, the sky was clear, the sea was +calm, and a breeze blew lightly from the north-west. +It was one of the rare bright stretches +that visit the Islands, for usually rain falls, +mostly in misty drizzles, on about 250 days in +the year. At twenty minutes to ten the <i>Glasgow</i> +weighed anchor, and joined the <i>Kent</i> at +the harbour-mouth. Five minutes later the rest +of the squadron weighed, and began to steam +out. The battleship <i>Canopus</i>, her speed making +her unsuitable for a chase, was left in harbour.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +The <i>Bristol</i> and the <i>Macedonia</i> also remained +behind for the present. By a dexterous use of +oil fuel the two battle-cruisers were kept +shrouded as much as possible in dense clouds +of smoke. The enemy for some time could not +gauge their size. But as vessel after vessel +emerged, Admiral von Spee grew uneasy. The +English were in altogether unexpected strength. +His squadron could not cope with such force. +He had played into the enemy's hands, and +unless he could outspeed their ships, the game +was up. Without hesitation, he steamed off +at high speed to eastward. The British followed, +steaming at fifteen to eighteen knots. +The enemy, to their south-east, were easily +visible. At twenty past ten an order for a general +chase was signalled. The <i>Invincible</i> and +the <i>Inflexible</i> quickly drew to the fore. The +Germans were roughly in line abreast, 20,000 +yards, or some eleven miles, ahead. The morning +sunlight, the gleaming seas, the grey +warships, white foam springing from their +bows, tearing at high speed through the waves, +formed a magnificent spectacle. Crowds of the +inhabitants of Stanley gathered upon the hills +above the town to view the chase. The excitement +and enthusiasm were intense. The vessels +were in sight about two hours. At about a +quarter past eleven it was reported from a point +in the south of East Falkland that three other +German ships were in sight. They were probably +colliers or transports. The <i>Bristol</i> signalled +the information to Admiral Sturdee. He +at once ordered her, with the armed liner +<i>Macedonia</i>, to hasten in their direction and +destroy them. The newcomers made off to +south-west, and the British followed. Meanwhile +the rest of the squadron, now travelling +at twenty-three knots, were slowly closing upon +the enemy. The distance had narrowed to 15-16,000 +yards. The British were within striking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +range. Nevertheless, Sturdee decided to wait +till after dinner before engaging. His guns +could outdistance those of the enemy. It would +be advisable for him to keep at long range. +The Germans, on the other hand, would be +forced, when firing commenced, to alter course +and draw in, in order to bring their own guns +into play. The men had their midday meal at +twelve o'clock as usual. It is said that comfortable +time was allowed afterwards for a +smoke. The <i>Invincible</i>, <i>Inflexible</i>, and <i>Glasgow</i> +at about 12.30 increased their speed to between +twenty-five and twenty-eight knots, and went on +ahead. Just after a quarter to one there was +a signal from the Admiral: 'Open fire and engage +the enemy.' A few minutes later there +were sharp commands. The ranges were signalled, +and the bigger guns were laid. Fiery +glares and dense clouds of smoke burst suddenly +from their muzzles. The air quivered with their +thunder. Shells went screaming in the direction +of the nearest light cruiser, the <i>Leipzig</i>, +which was dropping rapidly astern. The firing +was uncomfortably accurate. The three smaller +German cruisers very soon left the line, and +made an attempt, veering off to the south, to +scatter and escape. Flame and smoke issued +from the <i>Leipzig</i>, before she drew clear, where +a shell had struck. Sir Doveton Sturdee directed +the <i>Glasgow</i>, <i>Kent</i>, and <i>Cornwall</i> to pursue +the German light cruisers. With his remaining +vessels, the <i>Invincible</i>, the <i>Inflexible</i>, +and the slower <i>Carnarvon</i>, he turned upon the +<i>Scharnhorst</i> and the <i>Gneisenau</i>, and began +operations in earnest.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Scharnhorst</i> +on +fire.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Scharnhorst</i> +sinks.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Gneisenau</i> +goes down.</div> + +<p>The interval of sunlight which had opened +the day with such promise was of short duration. +The sky became overcast. Soon after +four o'clock the air was thick with rain-mist. +From 1.15 onwards for three hours a fierce +duel was maintained between the two British<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +battle-cruisers and the two German armoured +cruisers. The enemy made every effort to get +away. They replied to the British fire for some +time, having dropped back to within 13,500 +yards. But shortly after two o'clock they +changed their course, and began to haul out +to south-east. The <i>Invincible</i> and the <i>Inflexible</i> +had eased their speed, and the range now +widened by about 3,000 yards. A second chase +ensued. A full-rigged sailing-ship appeared in +the distance at about a quarter to three. Her +crew <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'most'">must</ins> have beheld an awe-inspiring scene. +Shortly before the hour firing recommenced. +The action began to develop. Great coolness +and efficiency were shown on board the British +vessels. Every man was at his battle-station, +behind armour. Fire-control parties were at +their instruments. Water from numerous hoses +was flooding the decks as a precaution against +fire. The roaring of the discharges, the screaming +of the shells, the clangour of metal upon +metal, the crashes of the explosions, made up +a tumult that was painful in its intensity. +During intervals in the firing came the rushing +of the waves and of the breeze, and the grinding +and grunting of the hydraulic engines in the +turrets, where swung, training constantly upon +the enemy, the greater guns. The Germans +soon began to show signs of distress. The +<i>Scharnhorst</i> particularly suffered. Dense clouds +of smoke, making it difficult for the British accurately +to gauge the damage, rose from her +decks. Shells rending her side disclosed momentarily +the dull red glow of flame. She was +burning fiercely. The firing on both sides was +deadly, though the German had slackened considerably. +But the British vessels, through +their preponderance in gunfire, suffered little +damage. Their 12-inch guns hit their marks +constantly, while 8·2-inch guns of the <i>Scharnhorst</i> +were accurate, but ineffective. She veered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +to starboard at about 3.30, to bring into play +her starboard batteries. Both her masts and +three of her four funnels were shot away. At +length the German flagship began to settle +down rapidly in the waters. It was about a +quarter past four. There was a swirl of the +seas and a rush of steam and smoke. The +<i>Scharnhorst</i> disappeared. She went down with +her flag flying to an ocean grave, bearing 760 +brave men and a gallant admiral, whose name +will deservedly rank high in the annals of German +naval history. The <i>Gneisenau</i> passed on +the far side of her sunken flagship. With the +guns of both battle-cruisers now bearing upon +her alone, the German was soon in sore straits. +But she fought on gallantly for a considerable +time. At half-past five she had ceased firing, +and appeared to be sinking. She had suffered +severe damage. Smoke and steam were rising +everywhere. Her bridge had been shot away. +Her foremost funnel was resting against the +second. Her upper deck was so shattered that +it could not be crossed, and every man upon it +had been killed. An exploding shell had hurled +one of the gun-turrets bodily overboard. Fire +was raging aft. Her colours had been shot +away several times, and hoisted as often. One +of the flags was hauled down at about twenty +to six, though that at the peak was still flying. +She began to fire again with a single gun. The +<i>Invincible</i>, the <i>Inflexible</i>, and the <i>Carnarvon</i>, +which had now come up, closed in upon the +doomed vessel. Firing was recommenced. The +<i>Gneisenau</i> was not moving. Both her engines +were smashed. Shells striking the water near +her sent up colossal columns of water, which, +falling upon the ship, put out some of the fires. +She soon began to settle down in the waves. +All her guns were now out of action, and +Sturdee ordered the "Cease fire". There could +be little doubt that her stubborn resistance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +was nearing its end. The German commander +lined up his men on the decks. The ammunition +was exhausted. The ship would soon go +down. Some six hundred men had already +been killed. The survivors had better provide +themselves with articles for their support in +the water. At six o'clock the <i>Gneisenau</i> heeled +over suddenly. Clouds of steam sprang forth. +Her stem swung up into the air, and she sank. +Large numbers of her crew could be seen floating +in the icy waves, hanging on to pieces of +wreckage, and uttering terribly uncanny cries. +The sea was choppy. Drizzling rain was falling. +The British steamed up immediately. All +undamaged boats were got out. Ropes were +lowered. Lifebuoys and spars were thrown to +the drowning men. But many of them, numbed +by the freezing water, let go their hold and +sank. About 180, among them the captain of +the <i>Gneisenau</i>, were saved. It is said that +much agreeable surprise, upon the discovery +that their anticipations of being shot would not +be realized, was manifested by the German +sailors.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Eitel +Friedrich</i> +escapes.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Leipzig</i> +is sunk.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, battle had been in progress elsewhere. +The <i>Bristol</i> and the <i>Macedonia</i> had +overtaken <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'the the'">the</ins> transports <i>Baden</i> and <i>Santa +Isabel</i>, had captured their crews, and had sunk +the ships. The armed liner accompanying +them, the <i>Eitel Friedrich</i>, had, however, made +off and got away by means of her superior +speed. The <i>Kent</i>, <i>Glasgow</i> and <i>Cornwall</i> had +pursued the German light cruisers in a southerly +direction. The <i>Dresden</i>, the fastest, +proved too speedy a vessel to overtake. She +was ahead of her consorts, upon either quarter, +and made her escape whilst they were being +engaged. The <i>Kent</i> gave chase to the <i>Nürnberg</i>. +The <i>Glasgow</i>, in pursuit of the <i>Leipzig</i>, +raced ahead of the <i>Cornwall</i>, and by about +three o'clock in the afternoon had closed sufficiently,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +within 12,000 yards, to open fire with +her foremost guns. The German ship turned +every now and then to fire a salvo. Soon a +regular battle began which was maintained for +some hours. Shells fell all around the <i>Glasgow</i>. +There were several narrow escapes, but the +casualties were few. Shortly after six a wireless +message was received from Admiral Sturdee, +announcing that the <i>Scharnhorst</i> and the +<i>Gneisenau</i> had been sunk. A cheer surged up, +and the men set to work with renewed spirits +and energy. The <i>Cornwall</i> had come up some +time before, and the <i>Leipzig</i> was now severely +damaged. But she fought on for three more +hours. Darkness came on. The German cruiser +began to burn fore and aft. It was nine o'clock +before she at last turned over and sank.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The <i>Kent</i> +returns.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Sinking +of the +<i>Nürnberg</i>.</div> + +<p>The British vessels had, during the course +of the action, steamed miles apart, and far out +of sight of land. During the evening and night +they began to get into touch with one another +and with Stanley by means of their wireless. +All the ships except the <i>Kent</i> were accounted +for, and reported all well. But no reply was +forthcoming to the numerous calls, "Kent, Kent, +Kent", that were sent out. She had, in chase +of the <i>Nürnberg</i>, lost all touch with the rest of +the squadron. There was great uneasiness. It +was feared that she had been lost. The other +ships were directed to search for her, and for +the <i>Nürnberg</i> and the <i>Dresden</i>. Late in the +afternoon of the following day, however, she entered +Stanley harbour safely. Her wireless had +been destroyed, but she had sunk the <i>Nürnberg</i>, +after a very stern struggle. The German captain, +Schönberg, is reported, indeed, to have +said at Honolulu, "The <i>Nürnberg</i> will very likely +be our coffin. But we are ready to fight to +the last". He had fought and died true to his +words. The German ship was ordinarily more +than a knot faster than the British. But the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +engineers and stokers of the <i>Kent</i> rose magnificently +to the occasion. Fuel was piled high. +Her engines were strained to the utmost. Soon +she was speeding through the waves at twenty-five +knots, a knot and a half more than her +registered speed. The <i>Nürnberg</i> drew nearer. +At five o'clock she was within range, and firing +was opened. A sharp action began which lasted +some two and a half hours. The <i>Kent</i> was +struck many times, and lost several men. She +had one narrow escape. A bursting shell ignited +some cordite charges, and a flash of flame went +down the hoist into the ammunition passage. +Some empty shell bags began to burn. But a +sergeant picked up a cordite charge and hurled +it out of danger. Seizing a fire hose, he flooded +the compartment and extinguished the fire. A +disastrous explosion, which might have proved +fatal to the vessel, was thus averted. Her +silken ensign and jack, presented by the ladies +of Kent, were torn to ribbons. The gallant captain +collected the pieces, some being caught +in the rigging, and carefully preserved them. +The <i>Nürnberg</i>, however, was soon in sore +straits. Many shells struck her, and she was +set afire. Day drew into evening, and darkness +deepened. The Germans ceased firing, and the +<i>Kent</i>, within about 3,000 yards, followed suit +upon the enemy's colours being hauled down. +The <i>Nürnberg</i> sank just before half-past seven. +As she disappeared beneath the surface, men +upon her quarterdeck were waving the German +ensign. The <i>Kent</i>, after picking up some survivors, +put about, and returned to Stanley.</p> + +<p>Here the rest of the squadron soon gathered. +Congratulatory telegrams began to pour in to +Sir Doveton Sturdee. And the curtain closed, +in the flush of triumph, upon the most memorable +and most dramatic episode in the history +of the Falklands.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Exploits +of the +<i>Eitel +Friedrich</i>.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The <i>Eitel +Friedrich</i> +comes to +Newport +News.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Dresden</i> +sinks.</div> + +<p>One further episode remains to complete the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +story. The <i>Dresden</i> and the armed liner <i>Eitel +Friedrich</i>, the sole survivors of the German +squadron, made once more for the Pacific. They +were lost sight of for many weeks. Suspicious +movements and activities on the part of German +merchantmen were, however, again observed. +The Government wireless station at +Valparaiso intercepted messages from the <i>Dresden</i> +summoning friendly vessels to bring her +supplies. Persistent rumours began to be circulated +that she was hiding in the inlets of +southern Chili. During January, 1915, the +<i>Eitel Friedrich</i> seized and destroyed six vessels, +chiefly sailing-ships, some in Pacific, most +in Atlantic waters. In February she accounted +for four more. Towards the end of the month +a British barque was sunk by the <i>Dresden</i>. The +position was again rapidly becoming troublesome. +The movement of British shipping, on +the Chilian coast had to be suspended. But the +<i>Glasgow</i> and the <i>Kent</i> were on the <i>Dresden's</i> +track. The <i>Kent</i> entered Coronel on March 13, +coaled, and departed the same night. The <i>Eitel +Friedrich</i>, meanwhile, had arrived at Newport +News, a United States port, with her engines +badly in need of repair. Much indignation was +aroused among Americans by the announcement +that one of her victims had been an American +vessel. The German liner had many prisoners +on board. Declarations of a resolve, if he had +been caught by the British, to have sunk fighting +to the last, were repeatedly and emphatically +declaimed by the German captain. Five +days later he learned that the <i>Dresden</i> had +tamely surrendered off Juan Fernandez after a +five minutes' action. The <i>Kent</i>, at nine o'clock +on the morning after she had left Coronel, together +with the <i>Glasgow</i> and the auxiliary +cruiser <i>Orama</i>, came up with the <i>Dresden</i> near +the island. A sharp encounter followed. The +German cruiser was hit heavily. Fire broke<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +out. In five minutes' time she hauled down her +colours and hoisted a white flag. The crew +were taken off. The <i>Dresden</i> continued to burn +for some time, until finally her magazine exploded +and she sank. The German officers contended +that their vessel was sunk within Chilian +territorial waters. It had not hitherto been +noticeable that their consciences were concerned +to maintain Chilian neutrality inviolate.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Results +of the +Falkland +battle.</div> + +<p>The Battle of the Falkland Islands was the +first decisive naval contest of the war. It removed +a formidable menace to the trade routes. +It relieved British convoys and transports +from danger of interruption. It freed many +battleships and cruisers, engaged in sweeping +the oceans, for other usefulness. It gave Great +Britain effective mastery of the outer seas. +Henceforth German naval ambition, frustrated +in its endeavour to disorganize the trade +routes, was forced, within the limits of the +North Sea and of British waters, to seek less +adventurous but more disreputable ends. A +series of bombardments of coast towns was +planned. A preliminary success was followed +by a galling disaster.</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Battle Sketches by A. N. Hilditch, Oxford University Press.</small><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The writer cannot vouch for the truth of this anecdote, +which he merely records as given in a letter published in +the press. But the source from which it was taken, together +with many of the preceding details of the condition of Stanley +during the period of tension, has proved so accurate in +essential points of fact, that their insertion seems justifiable.</p></div> +</div> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>With the exception of the naval engagements +described above, the operations of the Germans +in the sea was limited chiefly to preying +upon enemy commerce by isolated vessels. Of +these terrors of the sea the most famous was +the cruiser <i>Emden</i>, which began her career on +October 29 by sinking the Russian cruiser +<i>Jemtchug</i> in Penang Harbor. Her career until +her destruction and the adventures of those of +her crew who escaped are described in the following +chapter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +<h2>CRUISE OF THE EMDEN</h2> + +<h3>CAPTAIN MÜCKE</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">The <i>Indus</i> +sunk.</div> + +<p>"We on the <i>Emden</i> had no idea where +we were going, as on August 11, +1914, we separated from the cruiser +squadron, escorted only by the coaler <i>Markomannia</i>. +Under way, the <i>Emden</i> picked up +three officers from German steamers. That +was a piece of luck, for afterward we needed +many officers for the capturing and sinking of +steamers, or manning them when we took them +with us. On September 10 the first boat came +in sight. We stop her. She proves to be a +Greek tramp, chartered from England. On the +next day we met the <i>Indus</i>, bound for Bombay, +all fitted up as a troop transport, but still without +troops. That was the first one we sunk. +The crew we took aboard the <i>Markomannia</i>. +'What's the name of your ship?' the officers +asked us. '<i>Emden!</i> Impossible. Why, the +<i>Emden</i> was sunk long ago in battle with the +<i>Ascold!</i>'</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Capturing +ships a +habit.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Provisions +secured.</div> + +<p>"Then we sank the <i>Lovat</i> a troop transport +ship, and took the <i>Kabinga</i> along with us. One +gets used quickly to new forms of activity. +After a few days capturing ships became a +habit. Of the twenty-three which we captured, +most of them stopped after our first signal. +When they didn't, we fired a blank shot. Then +they all stopped. Only one, the <i>Clan Mattesen</i>, +waited for a real shot across the bow before +giving up its many automobiles and locomotives +to the seas. The officers were mostly very +polite and let down rope ladders for us. After +a few hours they'd be on board with us. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +ourselves never set foot in their cabins, nor +took charge of them. The officers often acted +on their own initiative and signaled to us the +nature of their cargo; then the Commandant +decided as to whether to sink the ship or take it +with us. Of the cargo, we always took everything +we could use, particularly provisions. +Many of the English officers and sailors made +good use of the hours of transfer to drink up +the supply of whisky instead of sacrificing it to +the waves. I heard that one Captain was lying +in tears at the enforced separation from his +beloved ship, but on investigation found that he +was merely dead drunk. But much worse was +the open betrayal which many practiced toward +their brother Captains, whom they probably +regarded as rivals. 'Haven't you met the +<i>Kilo</i> yet? If you keep on your course two +hours longer, you must overhaul her,' one Captain +said to me of his own accord. To other +tips from other Captains we owed many of our +prizes. I am prepared to give their names," +Captain Mücke added.</p> + +<p>"The Captain of one ship once called out +cheerily: 'Thank God I've been captured!' He +had received expense money for the trip to Australia, +and was now saved half the journey!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The process +of +sinking.</div> + +<p>"We had mostly quiet weather, so that communication +with captured ships was easy. They +were mostly dynamited, or else shot close to +the water line. The sinking process took longer +or shorter, according to where they were struck +and the nature of the cargo. Mostly the ships +keeled over on their sides till the water flowed +down the smokestacks, a last puff of smoke +came out, and then they were gone. Many, +however, went down sharply bow first, the stern +rising high in the air.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Kabinga</i>.</div> + +<p>"On the <i>Kabinga</i> the Captain had his wife +and youngster with him. He was inclined at +first to be disagreeable. 'What are you going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +to do with us? Shall we be set out in boats +and left to our fate?' he asked. Afterward he +grew confidential, like all the Captains, called +us 'Old Chap,' gave the Lieutenant a nice new +oilskin, and as we finally let the <i>Kabinga</i> go +wrote us a letter of thanks, and his wife asked +for an Emden armband and a button. They +all gave us three cheers as they steamed away. +'Come to Calcutta some time!' was the last +thing the Captain said, 'and catch the pilots +so that those [unprintable seaman's epithet] +fellows will feel something of the war, too.'</p> + +<p>"A few days later, by Calcutta, we made one +of our richest hauls, the <i>Diplomat</i>, chock full +of tea—we sunk $2,500,000 worth. On the same +day the <i>Trabbotch</i>, too, which steered right +straight toward us, literally into our arms.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Madras +oil tanks +burned.</div> + +<p>"But now we wanted to beat it out of the +Bay of Bengal, because we had learned from +the papers that the <i>Emden</i> was being keenly +searched for. By Rangoon we encountered a +Norwegian tramp, which, for a cash consideration, +took over all the rest of our prisoners of +war. Later on another neutral ship rejected +a similar request and betrayed us to the Japanese +into the bargain. On September 23 we +reached Madras and steered straight for the +harbor. We stopped still 3,000 yards before +the city. Then we shot up the oil tanks. Three +or four burned up and illuminated the city. +They answered. Several of the papers asserted +that we left with lights out. On the contrary, +we showed our lights so as to seem to indicate +that we were going northward; only later did +we put them out, turn around, and steer southward. +As we left we could see the fire burning +brightly in the night, and even by daylight, +ninety sea miles away, we could still see the +smoke from the burning oil tanks. Two days +later we navigated around Ceylon, and could +see the lights of Colombo. On the same evening<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +we gathered in two more steamers, the +<i>King Lund</i> and <i>Tyweric</i>. The latter was particularly +good to us, for it brought us the very +latest evening papers from Colombo, which it +had only left two hours before.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Ships +that the +<i>Emden</i> +captured.</div> + +<p>"Everything went well, the only trouble was +that our prize, the <i>Markomannia</i>, didn't have +much coal left. We said one evening in the +mess: 'The only thing lacking now is a nice +steamer with 500 tons of nice Cardiff coal.' The +next evening we got her, the <i>Burresk</i>, brand-new, +from England on her maiden voyage, +bound for Hongkong. Then followed in order +the <i>Riberia</i>, <i>Foyle</i>, <i>Grand Ponrabbel</i>, <i>Benmore</i>, +<i>Troiens</i>, <i>Exfort</i>, <i>Grycefale</i>, <i>Sankt Eckbert</i>, <i>Chilkana</i>. +Most of them were sunk; the coal ships +were kept. The <i>Eckbert</i> was let go with a load +of passengers and captured crews. We also sent +the <i>Markomannia</i> away because it hadn't any +more coal. She was later captured by the English +together with all the prize papers about +their own captured ships. All this happened +before October 20; then we sailed southward, +to Deogazia, southwest of Colombo. South of +Lakadiven on Deogazia some Englishmen came +on board, solitary farmers who were in touch +with the world only every three months +through schooners. They knew nothing about +the war, took us for an English man-of-war, +and asked us to repair their motor boat for +them. We kept still and invited them to dinner +in our officers' mess. Presently they stood +still in front of the portrait of the Kaiser, +quite astounded. 'This is a German ship!' We +continued to keep still. 'Why is your ship so +dirty?' they asked. We shrugged our shoulders. +'Will you take some letters for us?' they +asked. 'Sorry, impossible; we don't know what +port we'll run into.' Then they left our ship, +but about the war we told them not a single +word.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Coal +steamers +captured.</div> + +<p>"Now we went toward Miniko, where we sank +two ships more. The Captain of one of them +said to us: 'Why don't you try your luck +around north of Miniko? There's lots of ships +there now?' On the next day we found three +steamers to the north, one of them with much +desired Cardiff coal. From English papers on +captured ships we learned that we were being +hotly pursued. The stokers also told us a lot. +Our pursuers evidently must also have a convenient +base. Penang was the tip given us. +There we had hopes of finding two French +cruisers.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +fourth +smokestack.</div> + +<p>"One night we started for Penang. On October +28 we raised our very practicable fourth +smokestack—Mücke's own invention. As a result, +we were taken for English or French. The +harbor of Penang lies in a channel difficult of +access. There was nothing doing by night; we +had to do it at daybreak. At high speed, without +smoke, with lights out, we steered into the +mouth of the channel. A torpedo boat on +guard slept well. We steamed past its small +light. Inside lay a dark silhouette; that must +be a warship! But it wasn't the French cruiser +we were looking for. We recognized the silhouette—dead +sure; that was the Russian +cruiser <i>Jemtchug</i>. There it lay, there it slept +like a rat. No watch to be seen. They made +it easy for us. Because of the narrowness of +the harbor we had to keep close; we fired the +first torpedo at 400 yards. Then to be sure +things livened up a bit on the sleeping warship. +At the same time we took the crew quarters +under fire, five shells at a time. There was +a flash of flame on board, then a kind of burning +aureole. After the fourth shell, the flame +burned high. The first torpedo had struck the +ship too deep because we were too close to it, +a second torpedo which we fired off from the +other side didn't make the same mistake. After<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +twenty seconds there was absolutely not a trace +of the ship to be seen. The enemy had fired off +only about six shots.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">French +ships +fight the +<i>Emden</i>.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">A burial +at sea.</div> + +<p>"But now another ship, which we couldn't +see, was firing. That was the French <i>D'Ibreville</i>, +toward which we now turned at once. A +few minutes later an incoming torpedo destroyer +was reported. He mustn't find us in +that narrow harbor, otherwise we were finished! +But it proved to be a false alarm; only +a small merchant steamer that looked like a +destroyer, and which at once showed the merchant +flag and steered for shore. Shortly afterward +a second one was reported. This time +it proved to be the French torpedo boat <i>Mousquet</i>. +It comes straight toward us. That's always +remained a mystery to me, for it must +have heard the shooting. An officer whom we +fished up afterward explained to me that they +had only recognized we were a German warship +when they were quite close to us. The Frenchman +behaved well, accepted battle and fought +on, but was polished off by us with three broadsides. +The whole fight with both ships lasted +half an hour. The commander of the torpedo +boat lost both legs by the first broadside. When +he saw that part of his crew were leaping overboard, +he cried out: 'Tie me fast; I will not +survive after seeing Frenchmen desert their +ship!' As a matter of fact, he went down with +his ship as a brave Captain, lashed fast to +the mast. Then we fished up thirty heavily +wounded; three died at once. We sewed a Tri-color +(the French flag), wound them in it and +buried them at sea, with seamen's honors, three +salvos. That was my only sea fight. The second +one I did not take part in."</p> + +<p>Mücke, who had been recounting his lively +narrative, partly like an officer, partly like an +artist, and not trying to eliminate the flavor +of adventure, now takes on quite another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +tone as he comes to tell of the end of the +<i>Emden:</i></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Landing +on Cocos +Island.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Order to +weigh +anchor.</div> + +<p>"On November 9 I left the <i>Emden</i> in order to +destroy the wireless plant on the Cocos Island. +I had fifty men, four machine guns, about +thirty rifles. Just as we were about to destroy +the apparatus it reported: 'Careful; <i>Emden</i> +near.' The work of destruction went smoothly. +The wireless operator said: 'Thank God! it's +been like being under arrest day and night +lately.' Presently the <i>Emden</i> signaled to us: +'Hurry up.' I pack up, but simultaneously +wails the <i>Emden's</i> siren. I hurry up to the +bridge, see the flag 'Anna' go up. That means +'Weigh anchor.' We ran like mad into our +boat, but already the <i>Emden's</i> pennant goes up, +the battle flag is raised, they fire from starboard.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Sydney</i> +traps the +<i>Emden</i>.</div> + +<p>"The enemy is concealed by the island and +therefore not to be seen, but I see the shells +strike the water. To follow and catch the +<i>Emden</i> is out of the question; she's going +twenty knots, I only four with my steam pinnace. +Therefore, I turn back to land, raise the +flag, declare German laws of war in force, seize +all arms, set up my machine guns on shore in +order to guard against a hostile landing. Then +I run again in order to observe the fight. From +the splash of the shells it looked as if the enemy +had fifteen-centimeter guns, bigger, therefore, +than the <i>Emden's</i>. He fired rapidly, but poorly. +It was the Australian cruiser <i>Sydney</i>."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard?" Mücke suddenly asked +in between, "if anything has happened to the +<i>Sydney?</i> At the Dardanelles maybe?" And +his hatred of the <i>Emden's</i> "hangman" is visible +for a second in his blue eyes. Then he continues:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Emden</i> +on fire.</div> + +<p>"According to the accounts of the Englishmen +who saw the first part of the engagement +from shore, the <i>Emden</i> was cut off rapidly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +Her forward smokestack lay across the ship. +She went over to circular fighting and to torpedo +firing, but already burned fiercely aft. +Behind the mainmast several shells struck +home; we saw the high flame. Whether circular +fighting or a running fight now followed, +I don't know, because I again had to look to +my land defenses. Later I looked on from the +roof of a house. Now the <i>Emden</i> again stood +out to sea about 4,000 to 5,000 yards, still burning. +As she again turned toward the enemy, +the forward mast was shot away. On the +enemy no outward damage was apparent, but +columns of smoke showed where shots had +struck home. Then the <i>Emden</i> took a northerly +course, likewise the enemy, and I had to +stand there helpless gritting my teeth and +thinking: 'Damn it; the <i>Emden</i> is burning and +you aren't on board!' An Englishman who had +also climbed up to the roof of the house, approached +me, greeted me politely, and asked: +'Captain, would you like to have a game of +tennis with us?'</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +fighting +ships +disappear.</div> + +<p>"The ships, still fighting, disappeared beyond +the horizon. I thought that an unlucky outcome +for the <i>Emden</i> was possible, also a landing +by the enemy on Keeling Island, at least +for the purpose of landing the wounded and +taking on provisions. As, according to the +statements of the Englishmen, there were other +ships in the neighborhood, I saw myself faced +with the certainty of having soon to surrender +because of a lack of ammunition. But for no +price did I and my men want to get into English +imprisonment. As I was thinking about +all this, the masts again appear on the horizon, +the <i>Emden</i> steaming easterly, but very much +slower. All at once the enemy, at high speed, +shoots by, apparently, quite close to the <i>Emden</i>. +A high, white waterspout showed among the +black smoke of the enemy. That was a torpedo.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +I see how the two opponents withdrew, the distance +growing greater between them; how they +separate, till they disappear in the darkness. +The fight had lasted ten hours.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mücke +seizes a +schooner.</div> + +<p>"I had made up my mind to leave the island +as quick as possible. The <i>Emden</i> was gone; +the danger for us growing. In the harbor I had +noticed a three-master, the schooner <i>Ayesha</i>. +Mr. Ross, the owner of the ship and of the +island, had warned me that the boat was leaky, +but I found it quite a seaworthy tub. Now +quickly provisions were taken on board for +eight weeks, water for four. The Englishmen +very kindly showed us the best water and gave +us clothing and utensils. They declared this +was their thanks for our 'moderation' and 'generosity.' +Then they collected the autographs +of our men, photographed them, and gave three +cheers as our last boat put off. It was evening, +nearly dark. We sailed away. After a +short address, amid three hurrahs, I raised the +German war flag on 'S.M.S. <i>Ayesha</i>.'"</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Ayesha</i> +sails westward.</div> + +<p>"The <i>Ayesha</i> proved to be a really splendid +ship," Mücke continued, and whenever he happens +to speak of this sailing ship he grows +warmer. One notices the passion for sailing +which this seaman has, for he was trained on +a sailing ship and had won many prizes in +the regattas at Kiel. "But we had hardly any +instruments," he narrated, "we had only one +sextant and two chronometers on board, but +a chronometer journal was lacking. Luckily +I found an old 'Indian Ocean Directory' of +1882 on board; its information went back to +the year 1780.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">En route +to Padang.</div> + +<p>"At first we had to overhaul all the tackle, +for I didn't trust to peace, and we had left +the English Captain back on the island. I +had said: 'We are going to East Africa.' +Therefore I sailed at first westward, then +northward. There followed the monsoons, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +then also long periods of dead calm. Then +we scolded! Only two neutral ports came +seriously under consideration: Batavia and +Padang. At Keeling I cautiously asked about +Tsing-tao, of which I had naturally thought +first, and so quite by chance learned that it +had fallen. Now I decided for Padang, because +I knew I would be more apt to meet the +<i>Emden</i> there, also because there was a German +Consul there, because my schooner was unknown +there, and because I hoped to find German +ships there and learn some news. 'It'll +take you six to eight days to reach Batavia,' +a Captain had told me at Keeling. Now we +needed eighteen days to reach Padang, the +weather was so rottenly still.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Life on +board the +<i>Ayesha</i>.</div> + +<p>"We had an excellent cook on board; he +had deserted from the French Foreign Legion. +But with water we had to go sparingly, each +man received three glasses daily. When it +rained, all possible receptacles were placed on +deck and the main sail was spread over the +cabin roof to catch the rain. The whole crew +went about naked, in order to spare our wash, +for the clothing from Keeling was soon in rags. +Toothbrushes were long ago out of sight. One +razor made the rounds of the crew. The entire +ship had one precious comb.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A Dutch +torpedo +boat.</div> + +<p>"As at length we came in the neighborhood +of Padang, on November 26, a ship appeared +for the first time and looked after our name. +But the name had been painted over, because +it was the former English name. As I think, +'You're rid of the fellow,' the ship comes again +in the evening, comes within a hundred yards +of us. I send all men below deck. I promenade +the deck as the solitary skipper. Through +Morse signals the stranger betrayed its identity. +It was the Hollandish torpedo boat <i>Lyn</i>. +I asked by signals, first in English, then twice +in German: 'Why do you follow me?' No<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +answer. The next morning I find myself in +Hollandish waters, so I raise pennant and war +flag. Now the <i>Lyn</i> came at top speed past us. +As it passes, I have my men line up on deck, +and give a greeting. The greeting is answered. +Then, before the harbor at Padang, I went +aboard the <i>Lyn</i> in my well and carefully preserved +uniform and declared my intentions. +The commandant opined that I could run into +the harbor, but whether I might come out +again was doubtful."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A German +ship.</div> + +<p>"On the South Coast," interjected Lieutenant +Wellman, who at that time lay with a German +ship before Padang and only later joined +the landing corps of the <i>Emden</i>, "we suddenly +saw a three-master arrive. Great excitement +aboard our German ship, for the schooner carried +the German war flag. We thought she +came from New Guinea and at once made all +boats clear, on the <i>Kleist</i>, <i>Rheinland</i>, and +<i>Choising</i>, for we were all on the search for the +<i>Emden</i>. When we heard that the schooner +carried the landing corps, not a man of us +would believe it."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Supplies +are +refused.</div> + +<p>"They wanted to treat me as a prize!" Mücke +now continued. "I said, 'I am a man of war,' +and pointed to my four machine guns. The +harbor authorities demanded a certification +for pennant and war flag, also papers to prove +that I was the commander of this warship. +I answered, for that I was only responsible +to my superior officers. Now they advised me +the most insistently to allow ourselves to be +interned peacefully. They said it wasn't at +all pleasant in the neighborhood. We'd fall +into the hands of the Japanese or the English. +As a matter of fact, we had again had great +luck. On the day before a Japanese warship +had cruised around here. Naturally, I rejected +all the well-meant and kindly advice, and +did this in presence of my lieutenants. I demanded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +provisions, water, sails, tackle, and +clothing. They replied we could take on board +everything which we formerly had on board, +but nothing which would mean an increase in +our naval strength. First thing, I wanted to +improve our wardrobe, for I had only one sock, +a pair of shoes, and one clean shirt, which had +become rather seedy. My comrades had even +less. But the Master of the Port declined to +let us have not only charts, but also clothing +and toothbrushes, on the ground that these +would be an increase of armament. Nobody +could come aboard, nobody could leave the +ship without permission. I requested that the +Consul be allowed to come aboard. This Consul, +Herr Schild, as also the Brothers Bäumer, +gave us assistance in the friendliest fashion. +From the German steamers boats could come +alongside and talk with us. Finally we were +allowed to have German papers. They were, +to be sure, from August. Until March we saw +no more papers.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The German +ship +<i>Choising</i>.</div> + +<p>"Hardly had we been towed out again after +twenty-four hours, on the evening of the 28th, +when a searchlight appeared before us. I +think: 'Better interned than prisoner.' I put +out all lights and withdrew to the shelter of +the island. But they were Hollanders and +didn't do anything to us. Then for two weeks +more we drifted around, lying still for days. +The weather was alternately still, rainy and +blowy. At length a ship comes in sight—a +freighter. It sees us and makes a big curve +around us. I make everything hastily 'clear +for battle.' Then one of our officers recognizes +her for the <i>Choising</i>. She shows the German +flag. I send up light rockets, although it was +broad day, and go with all sails set that were +still setable, toward her. The <i>Choising</i> is a +coaster, from Hongkong for Siam. It was at +Singapore when the war broke out, then went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +to Batavia, was chartered loaded with coal for +the <i>Emden</i>, and had put into Padang in need, +because the coal in the hold had caught fire. +There we had met her.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The crew +board the +<i>Choising</i>.</div> + +<p>"Great was our joy now. I had all my men +come on deck and line up for review. The +fellows hadn't a rag on. Thus, in Nature's +garb, we gave three cheers for the German flag +on the <i>Choising</i>. The men on the <i>Choising</i> told +us afterward 'we couldn't make out what that +meant, those stark naked fellows all cheering!' +The sea was too high, and we had to wait two +days before we could board the <i>Choising</i> on +December 16. We took very little with us; +the schooner was taken in tow. In the afternoon +we sunk the <i>Ayesha</i> and we were all very +sad. The good old <i>Ayesha</i> had served us faithfully +for six weeks. The log showed that we +had made 1,709 sea miles under sail since leaving +Keeling. She wasn't at all rotten and +unseaworthy, as they had told me, but nice and +white and dry inside. I had grown fond of +the ship, on which I could practice my old +sailing manoeuvres. The only trouble was that +the sails would go to pieces every now and +then because they were so old.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Ayesha</i> +is sunk.</div> + +<p>"But anyway she went down quite properly, +didn't she?" Mücke turned to the officer. "We +had bored a hole in her; she filled slowly and +then all of a sudden plump disappeared! That +was the saddest day of the whole month. We +gave her three cheers, and my next yacht at +Kiel will be named <i>Ayesha</i>, that's sure.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Turkey +an ally of +Germany.</div> + +<p>"To the Captain of the <i>Choising</i> I had said, +when I hailed him: 'I do not know what will +happen to the ship. The war situation may +make it necessary for me to strand it.' He did +not want to undertake the responsibility. I +proposed that we work together, and I would +take the responsibility. Then we traveled together +for three weeks, from Padang to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +Hodeida. The <i>Choising</i> was some ninety +meters long and had a speed of nine miles, +though sometimes only four. If she had not +accidentally arrived I had intended to cruise +high along the west coast of Sumatra to the +region of the northern monsoon. I came about +six degrees north, then over Aden to the +Arabian coast. In the Red Sea the northeastern +monsoon, which here blows southeast, could +bring us to Djidda. I had heard in Padang +that Turkey is allied with us, so we would be +able to get safely through Arabia to Germany.</p> + +<p>"I next waited for information through +ships, but the <i>Choising</i> did not know anything +definite, either. By way of the <i>Luchs</i>, the +<i>Königsberg</i>, and <i>Kormoran</i> the reports were uncertain. +Besides, according to newspapers at +Aden, the Arabs were said to have fought with +the English. Therein there seemed to be offered +an opportunity near at hand to damage +the enemy. I therefore sailed with the <i>Choising</i> +in the direction of Aden. Lieutenant Gerdts +of the <i>Choising</i> had heard that the Arabian +railway now already went almost to Hodeida, +near the Perim Strait. The ship's surgeon +there, Docounlang, found confirmation of this +in Meyer's traveling handbook. This railway +could not have been taken over by the Englishmen, +who always dreamed of it. By doing this +they would have further and completely +wrought up the Mohammedans by making more +difficult the journey to Mecca. Best of all, we +thought, we'll simply step into the express train +and whizz nicely away to the North Sea. Certainly +there would be safe journeying homeward +through Arabia. To be sure, we hadn't +maps of the Red Sea; but it was the shortest +way to the foe, whether in Aden or in Germany.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">On toward +Aden.</div> + +<p>"Therefore, courage! Adenwards!"</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Through +the Strait +of Perim.</div> + +<p>"On the 7th of January, between 9 and 10 +o'clock in the evening, we sneaked through the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +Strait of Perim. That lay swarming full of +Englishmen. We steered along the African +coast, close past an English cable layer. That +is my prettiest delight—how the Englishmen +will be vexed when they learn that we have +passed smoothly by Perim. On the next evening +we saw on the coast a few lights upon the +water. We thought that must be the pier of +Hodeida. But when we measured the distance +by night, 3,000 meters, I began to think that +must be something else. At dawn I made out +two masts and four smokestacks; that was an +enemy ship, and, what is more, an armored +French cruiser. I therefore ordered the <i>Choising</i> +to put to sea, and to return at night.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mücke's +party +enters +Hodeida.</div> + +<p>"The next day and night the same; then we +put out four boats—these we pulled to shore +at sunrise under the eyes of the unsuspecting +Frenchmen. The sea reeds were thick. A few +Arabs came close to us; then there ensued a +difficult negotiation with the Arabian Coast +Guards. For we did not even know whether +Hodeida was in English or French hands. We +waved to them, laid aside our arms, and made +signs to them. The Arabs, gathering together, +begin to rub two fingers together; that means +'We are friends.' We thought that meant 'We +are going to rub against you and are hostile.' +I therefore said: 'Boom-boom!' and pointed to +the warship. At all events, I set up my machine +guns and made preparations for a skirmish. +But, thank God! one of the Arabs understood +the word 'Germans'; that was good.</p> + +<p>"Soon a hundred Arabs came and helped us, +and as we marched into Hodeida the Turkish +soldiers, who had been called out against us, +saluted us as allies and friends. To be sure, +there was not a trace of a railway, but we were +received very well, and they assured us we +could get through by land. Therefore, I gave +red-star signals at night, telling the <i>Choising</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +to sail away, since the enemy was near by. Inquiries +and determination concerning a safe +journey by land proceeded. I also heard that +in the interior, about six days' journey away, +there was healthy highland where our fever +invalids could recuperate. I therefore determined +to journey next to Sana. On the +Kaiser's birthday we held a great parade in +common with the Turkish troops—all this under +the noses of the Frenchmen. On the same +day we marched away from Hodeida to the +highland.</p> + +<p>"Two months after our arrival at Hodeida +we again put to sea. The time spent in the +highlands of Sana passed in lengthy inquiries +and discussions that finally resulted in our +foregoing the journey by land through Arabia, +for religious reasons. But the time was not +altogether lost. The men who were sick with +malaria had, for the most part, recuperated +in the highland air.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">To sea in +sambuks.</div> + +<p>"The Turkish Government placed at our disposal +two 'sambuks' (sailing ships) of about +twenty-five tons, fifteen meters long and four +meters wide. But in fear of English spies, we +sailed from Jebaua, ten miles north of Hodeida. +That was on March 14. At first we sailed at a +considerable distance apart, so that we would +not both go to pot if an English gunboat caught +us. Therefore, we always had to sail in coastal +water. That is full of coral reefs, however."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">One +sambuk +runs on a +reef.</div> + +<p>"The Commander," Lieutenant Gerdts said, +"had charge of the first sambuk; I of the +second, which was the larger of the two, for +we had four sick men aboard. At first everything +went nicely for three days. For the most +part I could see the sails of the first <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'ships'">ship</ins> +ahead of me. On the third day I received orders +to draw nearer and to remain in the +vicinity of the first boat, because its pilot was +sailing less skillfully than mine. Suddenly, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +the twilight, I felt a shock, then another, and +still another. The water poured in rapidly. I +had run upon the reef of a small island, where +the smaller sambuk was able barely to pass +because it had a foot less draught than mine. +Soon my ship was quite full, listed over, and all +of us—twenty-eight men—had to sit on the +uptilted edge of the boat. The little island +lies at Jesirat Marka, 200 miles north of +Jebaua. To be sure, an Arab boat lay near by, +but they did not know us. Nobody could help +us. If the Commander had not changed the +order a few hours before and asked us to sail +up closer, we would probably have drowned on +this coral reef—certainly would have died of +thirst. Moreover, the waters thereabouts are +full of sharks, and the evening was so squally +that our stranded boat was raised and banged +with every wave. We could scarcely move, and +the other boat was nowhere in sight. And now +it grew dark. At this stage I began to build a +raft of spars and old pieces of wood, that might +at all events keep us afloat.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The crew +finally +rescued.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Machine +guns +brought +up.</div> + +<p>"But soon the first boat came into sight +again. The commander turned about and sent +over his little canoe; in this and in our own +canoe, in which two men could sit at each trip, +we first transferred the sick. Now the Arabs +began to help us. But just then the tropical +helmet of our doctor suddenly appeared above +the water in which he was standing up to his +ears. Thereupon the Arabs withdrew; we were +Christians, and they did not know that we were +friends. Now the other sambuk was so near +that we could have swam to it in half an hour, +but the seas were too high. At each trip a +good swimmer trailed along, hanging to the +painter of the canoe. When it became altogether +dark we could not see the boat any +more, for over there they were prevented by +the wind from keeping any light burning. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +men asked 'In what direction shall we swim?' +I answered: 'Swim in the direction of this or +that star; that must be about the direction of +the boat.' Finally a torch flared up over there—one +of the torches that were still left from +the <i>Emden</i>. But we had suffered considerably +through submersion. One sailor cried out: +'Oh, pshaw! it's all up with us now; that's a +searchlight.' The man who held out best was +Lieutenant Schmidt, who later lost his life. +About 10 o'clock we were all safe aboard, but +one of our typhus patients, Seaman Keil, wore +himself out completely by the exertion; he died +a week later. On the next morning we went +over again to the wreck in order to seek the +weapons that had fallen into the water. You +see, the Arabs dive so well; they fetched up a +considerable lot—both machine guns, all but +ten of the rifles, though these were, to be sure, +all full of water. Later they frequently failed +to go off when they were used in firing.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sami Bey +becomes +guide.</div> + +<p>"Now we numbered, together with the Arabs, +seventy men on the little boat, until evening. +Then we anchored before Konfida, and met +Sami Bey, who is still with us. He had shown +himself useful even before in the service of the +Turkish Government, and has done good service +as guide in the last two months. He is an +active man, thoroughly familiar with the country. +He procured for us a larger boat, of fifty-four +tons, and he himself, with his wife, sailed +alongside on the little sambuk. We sailed +from the 20th to the 24th unmolested to Lith. +There Sami Bey announced that three English +ships were cruising about in order to intercept +us. I therefore advised traveling a bit overland. +I disliked leaving the sea a second time, +but it had to be done."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Travelling +overland.</div> + +<p>"Lith is, to be sure, nothing but this," said +Mücke, with a sweeping gesture toward the +desert through which we were traveling, "and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +therefore it was very difficult to get up a caravan +at once. We remained aboard ship so long. +We marched away on the 28th. We had only +a vague suspicion that the English might have +agents here also. We could travel only at +night, and when we slept or camped around +a spring, there was only a tent for the sick +men. Two days' march from Jeddah, the Turkish +Government, as soon as it had received news +about us, sent us sixteen good camels.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">An attack.</div> + +<p>"Suddenly, on the night of April 1, things +became uneasy. I was riding at the head of +the column. All our shooting implements were +cleared for action, because there was danger of +an attack by Bedouins, whom the English here +had bribed. When it began to grow a bit light, +I already thought: 'We're through for to-day'; +for we were tired—had been riding eighteen +hours. Suddenly I saw a line flash up before +me, and shots whizzed over our heads. Down +from the camels! Form a fighting line! You +know how quickly it becomes daylight here. +The whole space around the desert hillock was +occupied. Now, up with your bayonets! Rush +'em! * * * They fled, but returned again, +this time from all sides. Several of the gendarmes +that had been given us as an escort are +wounded; the machine gun operator, Rademacher, +falls, killed by a shot through his +heart; another is wounded; Lieutenant Schmidt, +in the rear guard, is mortally wounded—he +has received a bullet in his chest and abdomen.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A flag +of truce +and a +barricade.</div> + +<p>"Suddenly they waved white cloths. The +Sheik, to whom a part of our camels belonged, +went over to them to negotiate, then Sami Bey +and his wife. In the interim we quickly built +a sort of wagon barricade, a circular camp of +camel saddles, rice and coffee sacks, all of +which we filled with sand. We had no shovels, +and had to dig with our bayonets, plates, and +hands. The whole barricade had a diameter of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +about fifty meters. Behind it we dug trenches, +which we deepened even during the skirmish. +The camels inside had to lie down, and thus +served very well as cover for the rear of the +trenches. Then an inner wall was constructed, +behind which we carried the sick men. In the +very centre we buried two jars of water, to +guard us against thirst. In addition we had +ten petroleum cans full of water; all told, a +supply for four days. Late in the evening +Sami's wife came back from the futile negotiations, +alone. She had unveiled for the first +and only time on this day of the skirmish, had +distributed cartridges, and had conducted herself +faultlessly.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Death of +Schmidt +and Rademacher.</div> + +<p>"Soon we were able to ascertain the number +of the enemy. There were about 300 men; we +numbered fifty, with twenty-nine guns. In the +night, Lieutenant Schmidt died. We had to dig +his grave with our hands and with our +bayonets, and to eliminate every trace above +it, in order to protect the body. Rademacher +had been buried immediately after the skirmish, +both of them silently, with all honors.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The men +suffer +from +thirst.</div> + +<p>"The wounded had a hard time of it. We +had lost our medicine chest in the wreck; we +had only little packages of bandages for skirmishes; +but no probing <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'intrument'">instrument</ins>, no scissors +were at hand. On the next day our men came +up with thick tongues, feverish, and crying +'Water! water!' But each one received only a +little cupful three times a day. If our water +supply was exhausted, we would have to sally +from our camp and fight our way through. +Then we should have gone to pot under superior +numbers. The Arab gendarmes simply +cut the throats of those camels that had been +wounded by shots, and then drank the yellow +water that was contained in the stomachs. +Those fellows can stand anything. At night +we always dragged out the dead camels that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +had served as cover, and had been shot. The +hyenas came, hunting for dead camels. I shot +one of these, taking it for an enemy in the +darkness.</p> + +<p>"That continued about three days. On the +third day there were new negotiations. Now +the Bedouins demanded arms no longer, but +only money. This time the negotiations took +place across the camp wall. When I declined, +the Bedouin said: 'Beaucoup de combat,' (lots +of fight.) I replied:</p> + +<p>"'Please go to it!'</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Troops +of the Emir +of Mecca.</div> + +<p>"We had only a little ammunition left, and +very little water. Now it really looked as if +we would soon be dispatched. The mood of +the men was pretty dismal. Suddenly, at about +10 o'clock in the morning, there bobbed up in +the north two riders on camels, waving white +cloths. Soon afterward there appeared, coming +from the same direction, far back, a long +row of camel troops, about a hundred; they +draw rapidly near by, ride singing toward us, +in a picturesque train. They were the messengers +and troops of the Emir of Mecca.</p> + +<p>"Sami Bey's wife, it developed, had, in the +course of the first negotiations, dispatched an +Arab boy to Jeddah. From that place the +Governor had telegraphed to the Emir. The +latter at once sent camel troops, with his +two sons and his personal surgeon; the +elder, Abdullah, conducted the negotiations; +the surgeon acted as interpreter, in French. +Now things proceeded in one-two-three order, +and the whole Bedouin band speedily disappeared. +From what I learned later, I know +definitely that they had been corrupted with +bribes by the English. They knew when and +where we would pass and they had made all +preparations. Now our first act was a rush +for water; then we cleared up our camp, but +had to harness our camels ourselves, for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +camel drivers had fled at the very beginning +of the skirmish. More than thirty camels were +dead. The saddles did not fit, and my men +know how to rig up schooners, but not camels. +Much baggage remained lying in the sand for +lack of pack animals.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The party +reaches +Mecca.</div> + +<p>"Then, under the safe protection of Turkish +troops, we got to Jeddah. There the authorities +and the populace received us very well. +From there we proceeded in nineteen days, +without mischance, by sailing boat to Elwesh, +and under abundant guard with Suleiman +Pasha in a five-day caravan journey toward +this place, to El Ula, and now we are seated +at last in the train and are riding toward +Germany—into the war at last!"</p> + +<p>"Was not the war you had enough?" I +asked.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," replied the youngest Lieutenant; +"the <i>Emden</i> simply captured ships +each time; only a single time, at Penang, was +it engaged in battle, and I wasn't present on +that occasion. War? No, that is just to begin +for us now."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mücke's +great +task.</div> + +<p>"My task since November," said Mücke, "has +been to bring my men as quickly as possible +to Germany against the enemy. Now, at last, +I can do so."</p> + +<p>"And what do you desire for yourself?" I +asked.</p> + +<p>"For myself," he laughed, and the blue eyes +sparkled, "a command in the North Sea."</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>English Review, April, 1915.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Japan was bound by alliance with Great +Britain to join with her to attack any aggressor, +and to carry out her pledges she, at the +outbreak of the war, prepared to capture the +German stronghold Tsing-tao, the capital of +the concession of Kiao-chau, which Germany +had obtained from China, and had converted +into a German possession.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CAPTURE OF TSING-TAO</h2> + +<h3>A. N. HILDITCH</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">Qualities +of the +Japanese.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Count +Okuma +Prime +Minister.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Japanese +ultimatum.</div> + +<p>Tokyo, capital of Japan, lies at the head +of Tokyo Bay, in the south-east of Nippon. +Its two million inhabitants are distributed +among houses and streets which present +curious intermixtures of Japanese and +European architecture, customs, or science. +The jinrikisha notably has been displaced +largely by tramcars which, carrying all passengers +at a uniform rate of four sen, make it +possible to travel ten miles for a penny. It +is an industrial city, but on account of occasional +earthquakes no very large buildings +line the thoroughfares. The traveller can here +observe to advantage the strange characteristics +of the most stoical race upon earth, or +can contrast, if he will, the courteous, imperturbably +serene disposition of the most martial +nation of the East with the present disposition +of the most rabidly bellicose nation of the +West. When Japanese and German, indeed, +met in conflict before Tsing-tao in the autumn +of 1914, there was seen, in the Japanese soldier, +during a campaign of peculiar hardship and +difficulty, a revival of the qualities of the old +Samurai, with his quiet courage, his burning +patriotism, his patience, his habitual suppression +of emotional display singularly distinct +from those of the modern Goth. Nor was the +statesmanship which brought about that conflict +less admirable. Japan's alliance with +Great Britain was at once a solemn pledge +and the guiding principle of her foreign policy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +August 1914 found British interests and the +vast trade that centred at Hong-kong in +danger: German armed vessels prowled the +seas, and the German naval base of Tsing-tao +was busy with warlike preparations. Great +Britain appealed to Japan to free their joint +commerce from the menace. The Japanese +Prime Minister, Count Okuma, might well +hesitate, however, before recommending intervention. +Was he the right minister to direct a +war? He was nearer eighty than seventy years +old, and recently had been for seven years in +retirement: his Government had a minority +in the Diet, and to the Genro his name was +anathema: he claimed the allegiance of no +party, and the powerful military and naval +clans, Choshiu and Satsuma, were openly +hostile. He had been raised to power a few +months before by public demand for progressive +government. There were considerations +other than domestic or personal, indeed, which +might have tempted some statesmen to hold +their hands. To temporize while events revealed +themselves in Europe would be safer +than immediate action; while to remain neutral +might lead to the transference to the +Japanese of much trade with China now in +British hands, inevitably hampered by the +menace of German commerce-destroyers. Nevertheless, +Count Okuma's Cabinet came to a bold +and loyal decision. Baron Kato, the Foreign +Minister, reassured Great Britain of active +Japanese aid, and on August 15 sent an ultimatum +to Germany. The latter was requested +to withdraw at once all German armed vessels +from Eastern waters, and to deliver to Japan +before September 15 the entire leased territory +of Kiao-chau, with a view to its eventual restoration +to China. The ultimatum was timed to +expire at noon on August 23. That day arrived +without satisfaction having been given<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +to Japan. Within a few hours the 2nd Japanese +squadron steamed off towards Tsing-tao.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +Pacific +squadron +sails.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Tsing-tao's +importance.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +prepare +defense.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Japanese +warships +approach.</div> + +<p>Before the outbreak of hostilities with Great +Britain, Vice-Admiral the Graf von Spee, who +commanded the German Pacific squadron, had +steamed away from Tsing-tao with most of his +ships. To use Tsing-tao as a naval base while +engaging in commerce-raiding seemed a sound +and a practicable plan, since the British and +Australian naval forces, though superior, were +hardly strong enough simultaneously to blockade +the harbour and to search the seas. The +plan was, however, rendered impossible by the +Japanese ultimatum, and the Admiral, after +having lingered for some weeks in the Western +Pacific, departed for other seas and other adventures. +Such was the result of Japan's action, +and thus dangerous were the tactics that +Japan's action had frustrated. For Tsing-tao, +situated upon one of the two peninsulas, +divided by two miles of waterway, enclosing +the bay of Kiao-chau, with its safe and spacious +anchorage for vessels of any size, constituted +one of the most important naval bases +on the Chinese coast. It had, indeed, been +described as the key to Northern China. Dominating +the eastern coast of the Shantung +peninsula, the port formed the centre of the +semicircular area known as Kiao-chau, extending +on a radius of 32 miles around the shores +of the bay, with a population of 60,000. This +area was, under the Chinese German agreement +as to Tsing-tao, influenced and controlled by +Germany, though not strictly subject to her, +and regarded as neutral territory. Its surface +was mainly mountainous and bare, though the +lowlands were well cultivated, but in parts it +was rich in mineral wealth, large but undeveloped +supplies of coal being present. In +winter the port, connected to the junction of +Tsi-nan by a German-built railway, was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +natural outlet for the trade of Northern China. +The heights which surrounded the bay offered +admirable sites for fortification, while the +land-approaches to Tsing-tao were guarded by +formidable defences stretched across its peninsula. +In many quarters the stronghold was regarded +as a second Port Arthur. The Germans +had paid particular attention to defence, +so much so, indeed, that over five-sixths of +the white inhabitants were engaged in military +occupations. Five thousand German marines +constituted the normal garrison, though the +outbreak of war in August called about a +thousand more men—volunteers, reservists, +and sailors—to the colours. The complement +of the <i>Kaiserin Elizabeth</i>, an Austrian cruiser +sheltering in the harbour, left for Tientsin, +having received orders to disarm their ship, +but returned in time to join the defenders. The +garrison was amply provisioned for five or six +months, and well provided with weapons, +stores, and munitions. Most of the German +ships off the Chinese coast at the outbreak of +war, indeed, had made immediately for Tsing-tao, +and discharged upon its wharves many +thousand tons of cargo. When war with Japan +became inevitable, therefore, the defenders +could anticipate a successful resistance, provided +the expected instantaneous victories in +Europe materialized. Elaborate preparations +were made for the defence. The harbour mouth +was blocked by three sunken vessels, enabling +only small craft to enter. Chinese villages +within the leased territory, and the bridge +where the railway crossed the boundary, were +destroyed, partial compensation being paid to +the inhabitants. Native labourers were engaged +to throw up earthworks to strengthen +the town fortifications. Many foreigners, +women, children, and non-combatants, meanwhile, +had left the town. On Friday evening,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +August 21, at roll-call, the Governor, Captain +Meyer-Waldeck, read out a message from the +German Emperor exhorting the garrison to defend +the town to their utmost, and to do their +'duty to the last'. It was listened to stoically. +The following day a diversion occurred which +opened hostilities propitiously for the Germans. +The British destroyer <i>Kennet</i>, encountering +the German destroyer <i>S. 90</i> off the coast, gave +chase. The <i>S. 90</i> immediately made for port, +and the <i>Kennet</i>, in the ardour of pursuit, +closed in unawares within range of the German +land batteries. The latter opened fire, +and before she could draw off the <i>Kennet</i> sustained +ten casualties, though little material +damage. Next day the term of the Japanese +ultimatum expired. It was doubtful at what +point the Japanese would begin operations, +or what tactics they would adopt. The fear +was prevalent among Germans that the +enemy would enter Chinese territory to reach +the town from the land: newspapers under +German influence, indeed, circulating in +Chinese coast towns, started a press campaign +with the object of stirring the Chinese Government +to oppose by force any Japanese landing +in her territory. Outposts were placed by +the Germans along the shores of the neutral +zone to watch for developments: they descried, +on August 24, the approach of Japanese warships.</p> + +<p>Vice-Admiral Sadakichi Kato, who commanded +the approaching squadron, immediately +upon arrival took measures to protect +himself against danger from mines. Seven islets +clustering round the mouth of Kiao-chau +Bay were occupied, to form a convenient local +naval base, while mine-sweepers swept the surrounding +seas. No less than a thousand mines +were taken from the water. A blockade of the +whole Kiao-chau coast was declared, as commencing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +from 9 a.m., August 27, and war vessels +patrolled the shores, some seventy miles +long. Action soon began, and continued during +ensuing days, with shells that at intervals +screamed towards the town. The position was, +however, reconnoitred carefully. Japanese airmen +went up frequently to scan the fortifications +and to drop bombs. All protruding structures, +spires and factory-chimneys, had been +levelled to the ground by the Germans so as to +afford no mark for fire. Bombs were dropped +on the railway station and on one of the numerous +barrack buildings. The operations continued +spasmodically into September, while +Kato was awaiting the approach by land of +a co-operating army, which had now disembarked +on the northern coast of the Shantung +peninsula, about 150 miles due north of Tsing-tao.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Landing +effected.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Floods +hinder +advance.</div> + +<p>The landing was effected on September 2, +without hindrance or opposition on the part of +the Chinese. The Government, following the +precedent of the Russo-Japanese War, immediately +published a declaration refusing to hold +itself responsible for the obligations of strict +neutrality in areas that formed, within Lung-kow, +Lai-chau, and the neighbourhood of Kiao-chau +Bay, passage-ways essential to the belligerent +troops. It was, of course, incumbent +upon the Powers involved to respect Chinese +property and administrative rights. Japan, +therefore, was permitted to make use of the +main roads to transport an army to the rear +of Tsing-tao. The forces landed composed a +division numbering 23,000, and commanded by +Lieutenant-General Mitsuomi Kamio. An advance-guard +was sent forward without delay, +but soon found its way rendered impassable by +torrential floods which at this time swept down +upon and devastated the province of Shantung, +bridges, roads, and even villages being submerged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +and destroyed, with great loss of life, +largely owing to Chinese official incompetence. +The Japanese, after covering 20 kilometres in +two days, reached a stream so swollen that +crossing was impossible. The artillery had to +return to Lung-kow. German diplomacy, meanwhile, +exasperated at its inability to prevent a +Japanese landing, had not been inactive.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Chinese +neutrality.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Rivalry of +British +and +Japanese.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Japanese +advance.</div> + +<p>The German and Austrian ministers at Peking, +on hearing of the Japanese landing, protested +strongly. China, it was claimed, ought +to have forestalled and resisted the landing, +but instead had deliberately extended the war-zone +in order to facilitate Japanese movements. +She would be held responsible for any injury +to the German cause or property. To this +China replied that, if it was incumbent upon +her to prevent by force Japan operating in her +territory, it was equally her duty to prevent +by force Germany fortifying and defending +Tsing-tao. China had endeavoured, indeed, but +unsuccessfully, to preclude belligerent operations +in her territory: only after the Japanese +landing, when she was powerless to do otherwise, +had she extended the zone of war. As +to the responsibility, she reiterated her previous +declaration. The baffled Germans fell +back on threats: the right was reserved to visit +upon China dire consequences for her alleged +breach of neutrality. The incident, thrown +into striking contrast with Germany's offer to +Belgium, marked the unscrupulousness of German +diplomacy, but stirred also many doubts +among the foreign communities in China, in +which the British, allied as they were to the +Japanese, formed a predominating element. An +anomaly of the situation was that British local +interests had long conflicted with Japanese +national interests. Japan's activities had, at +every stage of her recent history, reduced British +opportunities. Japanese trader competed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +with British trader for the markets of China, +and Japan's share of the annual trade expansion +was increasing, that of Great Britain decreasing. +High tariffs and preferential rates +had closed Corea and Manchuria to British enterprise. +It is easy to estimate in what commercial +jealousy and rivalry such circumstances +had resulted. While the expediency +of the British-Japanese alliance was fully recognized, +and its consequences admitted to be +the freedom of the China seas from menace of +commerce-destroyers, nevertheless the fact remained +that the hostilities against Tsing-tao +would constitute a fresh impulse to Japanese +expansion. The operations in Shantung were +watched with critical eyes by many British in +the foreign settlements of China. The floods +had, meanwhile, subsided considerably, and on +September 12 Japanese cavalry reached Tsimo, +ten miles outside the Kiao-chau zone. No trace +of the enemy north of the Pai-sha River had +been seen, beyond a German aeroplane that occasionally +passed overhead on reconnoitring +flights. On the following day a number of +sharp skirmishes with outposts occurred, and +one Japanese patrol found its way to the small +town of Kiao-chau, situated at the head of the +bay, some 22 miles from Tsing-tao itself. The +brushes with the Germans became of daily occurrence, +and in one of them a high official of +the German Legation at Peking, who had volunteered +for service, was killed. On September +17 the Japanese attacked Wang-ko-huang, 13 +miles from Tsimo, the enemy being in a fortified +position and provided with machine-guns. +At sunset, however, they abandoned the village +and withdrew under cover of darkness, leaving +behind quantities of equipment and supplies. +A little later a development came about that +brought the dissatisfaction of British traders +to a head. About September 18, after hostile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +patrols had been driven away from the shore by +the fire of destroyers, Japanese artillery and +troops were landed at Laoshan Bay, north of +Tsing-tao, just within the leased territory. +Why was it necessary that troops should have +been landed on the northern shore of the peninsula +of Shantung, 150 miles from their objective, +when guns could be disembarked with perfect +safety on the eastern shore, not 40 miles +from the objective, and within the German +zone?</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A British +force +co-operates.</div> + +<p>The British were not as critical of Japan's +strategy as they were suspicious of her policy. +Dark suggestions got afoot that she had +ulterior designs upon the whole Chinese province +of Shantung. Such views could not +but have reached the ears of the British authorities +at Wei-hei-wei and elsewhere, nor +could they have been deaf to previous murmurs. +Diplomatic circles, however, could extend little +sympathy to the critics. Nevertheless, it was +undeniable that the latter were aggrieved, and +that their attitude might produce unfortunate +effects. If Great Britain herself took some +share in the Tsing-tao operations, greater sympathy +with their purpose might be induced, and +a better state of feeling in the Orient between +the two peoples might possibly result. +It must have been some aim such as this that +prompted the dispatch of a British force to the +Tsing-tao area to co-operate with General +Kamio, a step which the earlier symptoms of the +British discontent cannot but have influenced. +On September 19, however, 1,000 of the 2nd +South Wales Borderers, a force so small as to +be nominal, under Brigadier-General Barnardiston, +left Tientsin and proceeded to Wei-hei-wei. +Transport mules having here been taken +on board, the expedition on September 22 +coasted down the eastern shore of Shantung, +and next day landed at Laoshan Bay. A<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +month later, as will be seen, they were joined +by 500 of the 36th Sikhs.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Faint +opposition.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Artillery +battle.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, it was probably about this time, +or shortly after, that the <i>Triumph</i>, a British +battleship of nearly 12,000 tons displacement, +19-1/2 knots speed, and four 10-inch guns primary +armament, joined the Japanese squadron +off Tsing-tao. A spasmodic bombardment had +been maintained during the preceding weeks, +and seaplanes had been busy, bombing and +range-finding. The wireless station, the electric-power +station, and several ships in harbour +were damaged by explosive missiles. +Little could be done, however, from the sea +alone, and the attack by land, owing largely +to transport difficulties, had still to develop. +But the weather was now improving considerably. +Another set-back to Japanese military +ardour was, indeed, constituted by the marked +reluctance of the Germans to form a line of resistance. +German outposts, upon encountering +hostile patrols, invariably retired after offering +faint opposition. When the British troops, +after a circuitous march of 40 miles, much hampered +by bad roads, came up in the rear of the +Japanese, then preparing to assault the enemy's +advanced positions on high ground between the +rivers Pai-sha and Li-tsun, the part that it had +been arranged they should take in the Japanese +attack, on September 26, fell through owing +to a disinclination of the Germans to fight. +Their resistance was so meagre that the Allies +were hardly engaged, and next day gained +without difficulty the easterly banks of the Li-tsun +and Chang-tsun rivers, only seven miles +north-east of Tsing-tao. The enemy at all points +fell back, and the advance upon the town continued. +The Japanese had now drawn their +lines across the neck of the narrow peninsula +upon which Tsing-tao stands. There were indications +that the main forces were now in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +contact. The only obstacle, but a formidable +one, between the invaders and the forts themselves +was constituted by the dominating height +of Prince Heinrich Hill, from whose crest, +rising some five miles from the town, all the +forts could be bombarded. General Kamio estimated +that three days of fighting would be required +for its capture: it was as all-important +to the defence as to the attack, and was sure +to be strongly held. The forts themselves, of +the latest type, were elaborately constructed, +and equipped with concrete and steel cupolas, +mounting high calibre pieces. They commanded +both landward and seaward approaches +to the town, those nearest the invading +Japanese being situated upon, and named +Moltke Berg, Bismarck Berg, and Iltis Berg. +Earth redoubts and trenches between formed +the German line of defence. Plans for the most +considerable engagement, the assault of Prince +Heinrich Hill, that had so far taken place, to +begin on Sunday, September 27, were made by +the Japanese General. It developed more +speedily than had been expected. German artillery +opened a terrific cannonade upon the +Japanese lines, while three warships shelled the +attacking right wing from the bay. The German +fire was heavy and accurate. Japanese +warships and aeroplanes, and also the British +battleship <i>Triumph</i>, however, created a diversion +that relieved the assaulting forces. Two +of the forts were shelled from the sea, and suffered +serious injury, a barrack-house and other +buildings being, moreover, damaged. For many +hours the great guns, thundering their challenges +from sea and land and estuary, maintained +continual uproar. Darkness began to +gather. Fighting continued into the night, and +early next morning was renewed. But the defenders +seemed to lack enthusiasm. It is +doubtful, indeed, whether their forces were sufficiently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +numerous to hold with strength their +advanced positions, and at the same time to +man adequately their main fortified positions. +During the morning of the 28th the Germans +withdrew from Prince Heinrich Hill, leaving +fifty of their number and four machine-guns in +Japanese hands, and many dead upon the +slopes. The Japanese casualties numbered 150. +By noon the whole position was in the attackers' +hands, and the beleaguered town, +visible from the height, was now face to face +with siege. German officers who knew all the +points, weak and strong, of the defences, could +not but realize their inability to withstand the +siege guns which Japan would sooner or later +bring to the attack. But the heavy artillery +was yet far away. A month was to elapse before +the pieces could be dragged across the difficult +country, and emplaced in prepared positions +on Prince Heinrich Hill.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The siege +continues.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Gunboats +sunk.</div> + +<p>This month, which covered the whole of October, +saw many interesting incidents, and betrayed +no signs of idleness on the part of besiegers +or besieged. The Germans, indeed, +proved extraordinarily prodigal in ammunition, +firing on an average 1,000 to 1,500 shells +daily, a fact which lent support to the current +view that, while undesirous of incurring their +emperor's displeasure, they realized the hopelessness, +so far as Tsing-tao was concerned, of +their emperor's cause. Warships in the bay +assisted the cannonade from the forts, and +Lieutenant von Pluschow, the airman of the +single aeroplane the town possessed, ventured +forth at intervals to reconnoitre or to bomb. +Life in the town itself continued to be quite +normal. Japanese and British, meanwhile, +drew their lines closer and closer to the fortress +by sap and mine, though hindered greatly by +terrible weather, and occasionally having slight +encounters with the enemy. In one of these,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +on October 5, a German night-attack was heavily +repulsed, forty-seven dead being left behind +by the attackers. At sea the operations were +also spasmodic. At the end of September a +landing force occupied Lao-she harbour, in the +vicinity of Tsing-tao, where four abandoned +field-guns were taken possession of. Mine-sweeping +had constantly to be maintained, under +fire from the shore, and proved a dangerous +task. Several vessels thus engaged were +sunk or damaged, though with comparatively +few casualties, through coming into contact +with mines. Some German gunboats, however, +among them the <i>Cormoran</i> and the <i>Iltis</i>, were +apparently sunk about this time, either deliberately +by the Germans, or from the fire +of the Japanese guns. A torpedo flotilla bombarded +one of the barracks, moreover, to some +effect, while Japanese aeroplanes were also active. +Von Pluschow twice attempted to attack +vessels of the blockading squadron, but unsuccessfully, +and on one occasion a Japanese +aeroplane pursuing him gave a German balloon, +floating captive above the town, some +critical moments before it could be hauled to +safety. A few days later, about October 7, the +rope which held this balloon was, during the +spasmodic firing, severed by a shot, and the +great bag floated away, apparently across the +bay in the direction of Kiao-chau town and +the railway line inland. In this quarter, indeed, +over the line itself, serious friction had +arisen between the Japanese and the Chinese +authorities.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Railway +seized.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">China +protests.</div> + +<p>The line ran from Tsing-tao and Kiao-chau +to the junction of Tsi-nan, a distance of about +250 miles, passing through the towns of Wei-hsien +and Tsing-chau. It was German built +and almost wholly German owned. From some +points of view it might reasonably be said to +constitute an adjunct, if not a part, of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +leased territory itself. In any case the Japanese +claimed that, since the outbreak of war, +the line had been consistently utilized to bring +reservists, supplies, and ammunition to the +town. The Austrian crew of the disarmed +<i>Kaiserin Elizabeth</i>, both when they left and +later returned to Tsing-tao, had used this +means of transit. The railway, being still under +German control, constituted a menace in +the Japanese rear, which the latter, upon consolidating +their position towards the end of +September, took measures to remove. After +occupying Wei-hsien, they began to arrange for +the seizure of the whole line as far as Tsi-nan +itself. Hints of such action drew forth protests +from China, whose Government, however, +adopted too compromising an attitude. The +Japanese Government was firm. China's right +to formal protest was admitted, but the occupation +was stated to be an urgent military +necessity, and without any prejudice to +Chinese claims after the war. Since China +was unable to enforce the neutrality of the +line, flagrantly violated by the Germans, the +Japanese had no alternative but to bring it +under their own control. The Chino-German +Treaty of 1898 and the German Government's +charter clearly proved that the railway was +essentially German. A compromise, hastened +by the unhesitating and thorough measures +taken by the Japanese to effect the occupation, +was arrived at. The Japanese were temporarily +to control the administration, while the +Chinese conducted the traffic, of the railway. +Its fate, since China did not admit the contention +that it was purely German, was to be +decided after the war. A bellicose attitude +noticeable in Chinese military circles became +very marked when, three days later, on October +6, unquestionably in breach of the arrangement, +Japanese soldiers arrived at Tsi-nan,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +and took over the control of the rolling +stock on the Shantung line. It was alleged +at Peking that this force had declared martial +law in the town, which contained, indeed, many +German sympathizers who, rumour added, had +destroyed several collieries there in their +anxiety to obstruct the Allies. But the Chinese +Government submitted under further strong +protest, and with a request that the troops +should be withdrawn. The Japanese action +occasioned, however, further distrust among +British residents in the Orient. Meanwhile, +a second British force, consisting of 500 +Sikhs, was being prepared to reinforce General +Barnardiston.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Non-combatants +depart.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Heavy +weather.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Difficulties +on +land.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Bombardment +on +Mikado's +birthday.</div> + +<p>At one o'clock on October 12, Captain Meyer-Waldeck, +the Governor of Tsing-tao, received +a joint wireless message from the commanders +of the besieging troops and the blockading +squadron, offering a safe escort out of the town +of Tientsin of neutrals and non-combatants. +He at once assented. Delegates met next day +at ten o'clock to discuss details, and on the +15th the American consul, accompanied by +German women and children and Chinese subjects, +left the town. On the previous day there +had been a combined sea and air attack upon +forts Iltis and Kaiser, in which the <i>Triumph</i> +participated and suffered the only Allied +casualties. It is recorded that, before reopening +bombardment after the departure of the +non-combatants, the Japanese, ever polite, signalled +'Are you now quite ready, gentlemen?' +For reply a German sniper, taking careful but +faulty aim, sent a bullet which removed three +out of the eleven hairs on the signalman's moustache. +Two days later, days notable for torrential +rains, which intensified the discomforts +of the troops ashore, the Japanese suffered +a severe naval loss. The <i>Takachiho</i>, an old +cruiser of some 3,000 tons, which had seen service<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +in the Chino-Japanese War, was on patrol +duty on Saturday night, October 17, when she +fouled a mine, released by and adrift in the +rough seas. Destroyers hastened to her aid, +but rescue work was difficult in the darkness +and the heavy weather. The cruiser sank +rapidly. Two hundred and seventy-one officers +and seamen lost their lives. The rough weather +which contributed to the disaster continued +with little break, and hindered operations, till +the end of the month. The landing of the Sikh +contingent at Laoshan Bay on October 21 was, +indeed, attended by great difficulties and some +loss of life. A strong southerly gale had raised +high seas, and enormous lighters and sampans, +employed for disembarkation, were thrown +high and dry upon the beach. Sixteen Japanese +were drowned in trying to save other boats +that broke loose. The Sikhs got safely ashore, +but next morning again the winds blew and the +rains descended, and the camping-ground was +soon a miry pool. Circumstances other than +the weather, however, helped to put the British +officers out of humour. Trouble ahead +threatened in connexion with transport arrangements. +While the Chinese carts and +drivers, brought hurriedly from Tientsin, were +doubtfully reliable, many of the mules were +raw and quite unused to harness. When a +start for the front was preparing on the morning +of the 23rd, it was found that the best of +the harness, which had been purchased from +peasants in the locality, had been stolen in the +night by the people who had brought it in, +and that what was left was tied up with string. +The column, however, at length set off, and +made a march memorable for hardship and +difficulty. From Laoshan to Lutin, where a +metalled road began, was 30 miles, crossed by +a track formed at one time by quagmire, at +another by slippery boulders. During eleven<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +hours 6 miles were covered, by which time the +Sikhs were completely exhausted with digging +carts or mules out of the mud, hauling them +out with drag-ropes, reloading overturned +carts, or unloading those immovable. Next +day the column was on the road at seven +o'clock, and covered 13 miles. So deep was +the mud in parts that when, owing to the +rotten harness giving way, a mule would occasionally +lurch forward suddenly and walk +away by itself, the body of the cart would be +left floating on the surface. One cart was +pulled completely off its axles by a squad of +men, and slid along admirably for a considerable +distance. Seventy Chinese wheelbarrows, +however, obtained from a Japanese dépôt, +rendered invaluable aid on this day. Tsimo, +the halting-place, was reached in the evening, +and next day, after the first ten miles, saw +plain sailing. A few days later, on October 30, +after the Sikhs had rested and recovered, the +whole British force, now some 1,500 strong, +moved up to the front in readiness for the bombardment +of Tsing-tao, which had been arranged +to begin next morning in celebration of +the birthday of the Mikado. Siege artillery, +150 pieces, including six 28-cm. howitzers and +some heavy naval guns, had now been brought +up and placed in position. The shelling was +timed to start, in royal salute, at dawn.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Oil-tanks +blaze.</div> + +<p>Men who, stationed upon Prince Heinrich +Hill, could look below upon the doomed town, +athwart the narrowing peninsula, with the sea, +studded with grey warships, surrounding, had +before them a wonderful spectacle as the morning +sun, rising from the Pacific, slowly dispersed +the darkness. The thunder of the great +guns broke suddenly upon that stillness which +only dawn knows, and their discharges flashed +redly on the darkling slopes. The Japanese +shooting, it is related, displayed remarkable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +accuracy, some of the first projectiles bursting +upon the enormous oil-tanks of the Standard +Oil Company and the Asiatic Petroleum Company. +A blaze roared skywards, and for many +hours the heavens were darkened by an immense +cloud of black petroleum smoke which +hung like a pall over the town. Shells passing +over these fires drew up columns of flame to +a great height. Chinese coolies could be seen +running before the spreading and burning oil. +Fires broke out also on the wharves of the +outer harbour, in which during the day a gunboat, +apparently damaged fatally by a shot +which carried away her funnel, disappeared. +The redoubts and infantry works particularly +were heavily bombarded. On the left of the +German line 100 Chinese in the village of Tao-tung-chien +were unfortunately caught by shell-fire +directed on the redoubt close at hand, while +the fort of Siao-chau-shan, near by, was set +afire. The tops of several of the forts were +soon concealed by clouds of dust and smoke. +A heavy fusillade was concentrated upon an +observation point which the defenders had constructed +on a hill in the town, and had considerable +effect. The Germans did not on this +first day of general bombardment reply strongly, +two only of the forts persistently firing. +At length the sun sank and night obscured the +conflict. It had been a bad day for the besieged: +and dismantled guns, shattered concrete +platforms and entrenchments, devastated +barbed-wire entanglements, augured the town's +approaching fate.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Aeroplanes +direct +guns.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Triumph</i> +attacks +Fort +Bismarck.</div> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Kaiserin +Elizabeth</i> +sinks.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Night +activity.</div> + +<p>The bombardment continued for a week. +During that period the Japanese and British +guns, directed from land and sea by a balloon, +by aeroplanes, or by observation stations on +the hills, in daytime thundered incessantly. +The German shelling, though severe, was far +less heavy, because, it is said, the men in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +forts, sheltering most of the time in bomb-proof +caverns, issued forth only at night, and +during pauses of the Japanese to return the +fire. The airman von Pluschow actively directed +the replies. The latter seemed not, indeed, +impartially distributed. The marked attention +paid to British troops and ships afforded +an illustration of that attitude of +peculiar malevolence which Germans have +adopted towards the British nation and name. +The German airman singled out the British +camp, recognizable by its white tents, for his +bombs, while for the German artillery it had +an inordinate attraction. Officers on board the +<i>Triumph</i>, moreover, observed that the largest +German guns, of 12-inch calibre, were consistently +directed upon their vessel. But of +many projectiles one only, which struck the +mast, being fired from Hui-tchien-huk, proved +effective. This hit, however, caused rejoicing +in Tsing-tao which, it is asserted, would not +have been equalled by the sinking of a Japanese +Dreadnought. The <i>Triumph</i> singled out for +attack Fort Bismarck especially, and two of +the German 6-inch guns were early put out of +action. The British gunners adopted the ingenious +plan of heeling their ship by five +degrees, and bombarding the enemy, from sight +strips specially calculated, without exposing +themselves or their weapons. It became customary +aboard to call the bombardment 'pressing +the enemy' from an exhortation sent by +the Japanese Crown Prince to 'press the +enemy, braving all hardships'. Ashore, indeed, +the pressure on the enemy developed steadily +as the days passed. On November 2 the Austrian +cruiser <i>Kaiserin Elizabeth</i>, which had, +with the German gunboats still afloat, been +engaging vigorously in the fighting, sank, having +probably been blown up deliberately, and +the floating dock also disappeared. Iltis Fort,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +moreover, was silenced, two guns being smashed +and ammunition giving out, and Japanese infantry +advanced and captured an eminence in +German hands. On another ridge, however, +hard by the silenced fort, some German naval +gunners carried out a ruse which saved for +the present both their position and their battery, +composed of naval 9-cm. pieces, which +were exposed dangerously to fire from sea and +land. Lieutenant von Trendel, in command, +during the night constructed wooden models of +cannon, which he placed in position 200 yards +from his real guns. Next morning he exploded +powder near by, and drew the fire of the besiegers, +attracted by the flashes, upon the dummies. +That day the wireless and electric power +stations were wrecked, and large attacking +forces crept further forward, despite severe +fire, and entrenched closer to the enemy's lines. +In the evening and night the latter showed +special activity, star rockets and other fireworks +being used to illumine the opposing positions, +which were heavily fusilladed. A German +night-attack was delivered, but was repulsed. +Next day, the 4th, and on the two following +days, progress was maintained. The +Allied trenches were pushed forward until they +were right up to and almost half round the +nearest German forts. Many casualties were +suffered, but the German fire was kept down +by the Japanese guns, whose accuracy was remarkable. +The weather conditions were unfavourable, +high winds and heavy rains prevailing, +and the troops in the trenches had to +endure hard privations. So effective was the +bombardment, however, that during November +5 and 6 plans were prepared for the final assault. +It was arranged that a general infantry +attack should be made as soon as practicable. +The garrisons in the forts, meanwhile, were beginning +to exhaust their ammunition, of which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +they had been, during the preliminary operations, +strangely prodigal. Guns lay silent for +other reasons than structural injury, though +the latter cause, indeed, was frequent, a single +shot, in one case, from the <i>Suwo</i>, the Japanese +flagship, having destroyed a 24-cm. gun and +killed eight men on Fort Hui-tchien-huk. In +the town itself the streets, not immune from +falling projectiles, were deserted, and the only +centre of social intercourse and conviviality +was the German Club, where regularly officers +or non-combatants slipped in for dinner, luncheon, +or a glass of beer. But it was realized +that the end was not far distant.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Central +redoubt +taken.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Mass attack +on +forts.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +white +flag.</div> + +<p>Early in the morning of November 6 the airman +von Pluschow flew away across Kiao-chau +Bay, and did not return. He escaped with the +Governor's last dispatches into Chinese territory, +where his machine was interned. That +day and night saw no cessation of the firing, +the guns of the defenders still roaring at intervals. +About an hour after midnight the first +impulse of the general attack took effect. While +a particularly heavy artillery fire kept the Germans +in their bomb-proof shelters, the central +redoubt of the first line of defence, which had +been badly shattered by the bombardment, was +rushed by a storming party headed by General +Yoshimi Yamada. Engineers had in the darkness +sapped right up to the barbed-wire entanglements, +which being cut provided way for +the infantry, who, while part held the enemy +in front, rushed the redoubt on both flanks. +Two hundred prisoners were taken, and the +Japanese flag was hoisted. The besiegers were +through the German line, but the position had +to be consolidated, or disaster would follow. +Danger from the flank was, however, soon obviated +by advances in other parts of the line. Just +after five o'clock a battery on Shao-tan Hill +was captured; half an hour later another battery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +in Tao-tung-chien redoubt was taken, and +Fort Chung-shan-wa, the base of the German +right wing, fell. The shadows were still dense, +and the final phase of the siege, viewed from +Prince Heinrich Hill, presented a sight brilliant +with many flashes and flaming fireworks, +and a sound dominated by the thunder of the +batteries. But dawn, as the besiegers began +in mass to close in upon the main line of forts +Iltis, Moltke, and Bismarck, was breaking. It +was decided to storm these positions forthwith, +since the German fire, owing to exhaustion of +the ammunition, was dying away. Governor +Meyer-Waldeck, who had been wounded, realized +now that further resistance was futile. +Shortly before six o'clock he sent Major von +Kayser, his adjutant, accompanied by another +officer and a trumpeter, from the staff headquarters +bearing the white flag: at the same +time a signal of surrender was made from the +Observatory. This was not, however, observed, +while von Kayser's party, coming under fire, +was dispersed by a shell which killed the trumpeter +and the adjutant's horse. Meanwhile, +Japanese and British were closing in, and were +tensely awaiting the final assault. It was never +made. Soon after seven o'clock a welcome sight +relaxed the tension of the troops, torn, dirty, +and weary, calling forth cheers from the +British, and shouts of 'Banzai!' from the +Japanese. The campaign was over: Tsing-tao +had fallen. White flags were fluttering from +the forts.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Terms of +capitulation.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">War +material +taken.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Cost of +victory.</div> + +<p>That evening delegates from the two armies +met and signed the terms of capitulation, which +were unconditional. Honours of war were accorded +the defenders, the Governor and his +officers being permitted to retain their swords. +The Allies marched into the town, and on +November 10 the garrison was formally transferred. +Over 4,000 Germans were sent to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +Japan as prisoners, and large quantities of war +material were confiscated. The captures included +30 field-guns, 100 machine-guns, 2,500 +rifles, 40 motor-cars, £1,200 in bullion, and +15,000 tons of coal. All ships in harbour, and +also the floating dock, had been destroyed, but +it seemed probable that the <i>Kaiserin Elizabeth</i> +could be successfully raised. Sufficient provisions +were found to feed 5,000 persons for three +months, and the victors were able to regale +their appetites with luxuries such as butter, +crab, or salmon, which were plentiful. Looting, +however, was strictly forbidden. For fastidious +persons the bath, after many weeks, was again +available, and proved, indeed, in view of steady +accumulations of mud, a salutary course. Measures, +meanwhile, were at once taken to restore +the town to its normal condition. The troops +and sailors were employed in removing débris +or undischarged land and sea mines. Another +Japanese gunboat was sunk, and several officers +and men lost their lives, while engaged in this +dangerous work. The victory had to be paid +for, indeed, with a heavy toll of life and limb. +The Japanese casualties numbered 236 killed +and 1,282 wounded; the British, 12 killed and +53 wounded. On November 16 the Allies formally +took possession of Tsing-tao; and a memorial +service was held for the dead.</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Battle Sketches by A. N. Hilditch, Oxford University Press.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="sidenote">Plan +for Dardanelles +campaign.</div> + +<p>The plan of breaking through the Straits of +the Dardanelles, and thus clearing the way to +Constantinople, is believed to have been conceived +by Winston Churchill, then First Lord +of the British Admiralty. After careful consideration +it was approved by the military and +naval authorities, and plans were made to carry +out the project. The initial steps are described +in the following chapter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GALLIPOLI</h2> + +<h3>A. JOHN GALLISHAW</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">The Newfoundlanders +in the +War.</div> + +<p>Husky, steel-muscled lumbermen; brawny, +calloused-handed fishermen; loose-jointed, +easy-swinging trappers; athletes from the +city foot-ball and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'hocky'">hockey</ins> teams; and gawky, +long-armed farmers joined the First Newfoundland +Regiment at the outbreak of war. A rigid +medical examination sorted out the best of +them, and ten months of bayonet fighting, +physical drill, and twenty-mile route marches +over Scottish hills had molded these into trim, +erect, bronzed soldiers. They were garrisoning +Edinburgh Castle when word came of the landing +of the Australians and New-Zealanders at +Gallipoli. At Ypres the Canadians had just +then recaptured their guns and made for themselves +a deathless name.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Not militaristic.</div> + +<p>So the Newfoundlanders felt that as colonials +they had been overlooked. They were not militaristic +and hated the ordinary routine of army +life, but they wanted to do their share. That +was the spirit all through the regiment. It was +the spirit that possessed them on the long-waited-for +day at Aldershot when Kitchener +himself pronounced them "just the men I want +for the Dardanelles." That day at Aldershot +every man was given a chance to go back to +Newfoundland. They had enlisted for one year +only, and could demand to be sent home at the +end of the year; and when Kitchener reviewed +them ten months of that year had gone.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">Re-enlistment +at +Aldershot.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The desire +to get to +the front.</div> + +<p>With the chance to go home in his grasp, +every man of the first battalion reenlisted for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +the duration of war. And it is on record, to +their eternal honor, that during the week preceding +their departure from Aldershot breaches +of discipline were unknown, for over their +heads hung the fear that they would be punished +by being kept back from active service. +To break a rule that week carried with it the +suspicion of cowardice. This was the more +remarkable because many of the men were +fishermen, trappers, hunters, and lumbermen +who until their enlistment had said "Sir" to +no man, and who gloried in the reputation +given them by one inspecting officer as "the +most undisciplined lot he had ever seen." From +the day the Canadians left Salisbury Plain to +take their places in the trenches in Flanders +the Newfoundlanders were obsessed by one +idea: they had to get to the front.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Troop-ships +in +Mudros +Harbor.</div> + +<p>So it was with eleven hundred of such eager +spirits that I lined up, on a Sunday evening +early in August, 1915, on the deck of the troop-ship +in Mudros Harbor, which is the center of +the historic island of Lemnos, about fifty miles +from Gallipoli. Around us lay all sorts of +ships, from ocean leviathans to tiny launches +and rowboats. There were gray-and-black-painted +troopers, their rails lined with soldiers; +immense four-funneled men-of-war; and brightly +lighted, white hospital ships, with their red +crosses outlined in electric lights. The landing +officer left us in a little motor-boat. We +watched him glide slowly shoreward, where we +could faintly discern through the dusk the +white of the tents that were the headquarters +for the people at Lemnos; to the right of the +tents we could see the hospital for wounded +Australians and New-Zealanders. A French +battleship dipped its flag as it passed, and our +boys sang "The Marseillaise."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Iron +Ration.</div> + +<p>A mail that had come that day was being +sorted. While we waited, each man was served<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +with his "iron ration." This consisted of a one-pound +tin of pressed corned beef—the much-hated +and much-maligned "bully beef"—a bag +of biscuits, and a small tin that held two tubes +of Oxo, with tea and sugar in specially constructed +air- and damp-proof envelopes. This +was an emergency ration, to be kept in case of +direst need, and to be used only to ward off +actual starvation. After that we were given +our ammunition, two hundred and fifty rounds +to each man.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +solitary +letter +home.</div> + +<p>But what brought home to me most the seriousness +of our venture was the solitary sheet +of letter paper, with its envelope, that was given +to every man to be used for a parting letter +home. For some poor chaps it was indeed the +last letter. Then we went over the side and +aboard the destroyer that was to take us to +Suvla Bay.</p> + +<p>The night had been well chosen for a surprise +landing. There was no moon, but after a little +while the stars came out. Away on the port +bow we could see the dusky outline of land, +and once, when we were about half-way, an airship +soared phantomlike out of the night, +poised over us a short time, then ducked out +of sight. At first the word ran along the line +that it was a hostile airship, but a few inquiries +soon reassured us.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Approaching +Cape +Hellas.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Passing +Anzac.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The name +Anzac.</div> + +<p>Suddenly we changed our direction. We were +near Cape Hellas, which is the lowest point of +the peninsula of Gallipoli. Under Sir Ian Hamilton's +scheme it was here that a decoy party +of French and British troops were to be landed +to draw the Turks from Anzac. Simultaneously +an overwhelming British force was to +land at Suvla Bay and Anzac to make a surprise +attack on the Turks' right flank. Presently +we were going upshore past the wrecked +steamer <i>River Clyde</i>, the famous "Ship of Troy" +from the side of which the Australians had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +issued after the ship had been beached on the +shore hitherto nameless, but now known as +Anzac. Australian New Zealand Army Corps +those five letters stand for; but to those of us +who have been on Gallipoli they stand for a +great deal more; they represent the achievement +of the impossible. They are a glorious +record of sacrifice, reckless devotion, and unselfish +courage; to put each letter there cost +the men from Australasia ten thousand of their +best soldiers.</p> + +<p>And so we edged our way along, fearing +mines or, even more disastrous than mines, +discovery by the enemy. From the Australasians +over at Anzac we could hear desultory +rifle fire. Once we heard the boom of some big +guns that seemed almost alongside the ship. +Four hours it took us to go fifty miles in a +destroyer that could make thirty-two knots +easily. By one o'clock the stars had disappeared, +and for perhaps three-quarters of an +hour we nosed our way through pitch darkness. +Gradually we slowed down until we had almost +stopped. Something scraped along our side. +Somebody said it was a floating mine, but it +turned out to be a buoy that had been put there +by the navy to mark the channel.</p> + +<p>Out of the gloom directly in front some one +hailed, and our people answered.</p> + +<p>"Who have you on board?" we heard a casual +English voice say, and then came the reply from +our colonel:</p> + +<p>"Newfoundlanders." There was to me something +very reassuring about that cool, self-contained +voice out of the night. It made me feel +that we were being expected and looked after.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Arrival +of a +launch.</div> + +<p>"Move up those boats," I heard the English +voice say, and from right under our bow a +naval launch with a middy in charge swerved +alongside. In a little while it, with a string +of boats, was securely fastened.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just before we went into the boats the adjutant +passed me.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "you've got your wish. In +a few minutes you'll be ashore. Let me know +how you like it when you're there a little +while."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," I said. But I never had a chance +to tell him. The first shrapnel shell fired at +the Newfoundlanders burst near him, and he +had scarcely landed when he was taken off the +peninsula, seriously wounded.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Newfoundlanders +land.</div> + +<p>In a short time we had all filed into the +boats. There was no noise, no excitement; +just now and then a whispered command. I +was in a tug with about twenty others who +formed the rear-guard. The wind had freshened +considerably, and was now blowing so +hard that our unwieldy tug dared not risk a +landing. We came in near enough to watch +the other boats. About twenty yards from +shore they grounded. We could see the boys +jump over the side and wade ashore. Through +the half-darkness we could barely distinguish +them forming up on the beach. Soon they were +lost to sight.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +artillery +in action.</div> + +<p>During the Turkish summer dawn comes +early. We transhipped from our tug to a +lighter. When it grounded on the beach day +was just breaking. Daylight disclosed a steeply +sloping beach, scarred with ravines. The +place where we landed ran between sheer cliffs. +A short distance up the hill we could see our +battalion digging themselves in. To the left +I could see the boats of another battalion. +Even as I watched, the enemy's artillery located +them. It was the first shell I had ever heard. +It came over the hill close to me, screeching +through the air like an express-train going over +a bridge at night. Just above the boat I was +watching it exploded. A few of the soldiers +slipped quietly from their seats to the bottom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +of the boat. At first I did not realize that any +one had been hit. There was no sign of anything +having happened out of the ordinary, no +confusion. As soon as the boat touched the +beach the wounded men were carried by their +mates up the hill to a temporary dressing-station.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Beginning +of bombardment.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Coolness +of the Newfoundlanders.</div> + +<p>The first shell was the beginning of a bombardment. +Beachy Bill, a battery that we +were to become better acquainted with, was +in excellent shape. Every few minutes a shell +burst close to us. Shrapnel-bullets and fragments +of shell-casing forced us to huddle under +the baggage for protection. A little to the left +some Australians were severely punished. Shell +after shell burst among them. A regiment of +Sikh troops, mule-drivers, and transport-men +were caught half-way up the beach. Above +the din of falling shrapnel and the shriek of +flying shells rose the piercing scream of wounded +mules. The Newfoundlanders did not escape. +That morning Beachy Bill's gunners played +no favorites. On all sides the shrapnel came in +a shower. Less often, a cloud of thick, black +smoke and a hole twenty feet deep showed the +landing-place of a high-explosive shell. The +most amazing thing was the coolness of the +men. The Newfoundlanders might have been +practising trench-digging in camp in Scotland. +When a man was hit some one gave him first +aid, directed the stretcher-bearers where to +find him, and coolly resumed digging. In two +hours our position had become untenable. We +had been subjected to a merciless and devastating +shelling, and our first experience of war +had cost us sixty-five men. In a new and safer +position we dug ourselves in.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Four +miles of +graveyard.</div> + +<p>No move could be made in daylight. That +evening we received our ration of rum, and +under cover of darkness moved in open order +across the Salt Lake for about a mile, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +through three miles of knee-high, prickly underbrush, +to where our division was intrenched. +Our orders were to reinforce the Irish. The +Irish sadly needed reinforcing. Some of them +had been on the peninsula for months. Many +of them are still there. From the beach to the +firing-line is not over four miles, but it is a +ghastly four miles of graveyard. Everywhere +along the route are small, rude wooden crosses, +mute record of advances. Where the crosses +are thickest there the fighting was fiercest, and +where the fighting was fiercest there were the +Irish. On every cross, besides a man's name +and the date of his death, is the name of his +regiment. No other regiments have so many +crosses as the Dublins and the Munsters. And +where the shrapnel flew so fast that bodies +mangled beyond hope of identity were buried +in a common grave, there also are the Dublins +and Munsters; and the cross over them reads +"In Memory of Unknown Comrades."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +incomparable +Twenty-ninth.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">How the +hill was +taken, and +lost.</div> + +<p>The line on the left was held by the Twenty-ninth +Division; the Dublins, the Munsters, the +King's Own Scottish Borderers, and the Newfoundlanders +made up the 88th Brigade. The +Newfoundlanders were reinforcements. From +the very first days of the Gallipoli campaign +the other three regiments had formed part of +what General Sir Ian Hamilton in his report +calls the "incomparable Twenty-ninth Division." +When the first landing was made, this +division, with the New-Zealanders, penetrated +to the top of a hill that commanded the Narrows. +For forty-eight hours the result was in +doubt. The British attacked with bayonet and +bombs, were driven back, and repeatedly re-attacked. +The New-Zealanders finally succeeded +in reaching the top, followed by the +88th Brigade. The Irish fought on the tracks +of a railroad that leads into Constantinople. +At the end of forty-eight hours of attacks and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +counter-attacks the position was considered +secure. The worn-out soldiers were relieved +and went into dug-outs. Then the relieving +troops were attacked by an overwhelming hostile +force, and the hill was lost. A battery +placed on that hill could have shelled the Narrows +and opened to our ships the way to Constantinople. +The hill was never retaken. When +reinforcements came up it was too late. The +reinforcements lost their way. In his report +General Hamilton attributes our defeat to +"fatal inertia." Just how fatal was that +inertia is known only to those who formed some +of the burial-parties.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Newfoundlanders +run in +battle.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The Turks +charge in +mass formation.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Terrible +casualties +of the +enemy.</div> + +<p>After the first forty-eight hours we settled +down to regular trench warfare. The routine +was four days in the trenches, eight days in +rest dug-outs, four in the trenches again, and +so forth, although two or three months later +our ranks were so depleted that we stayed in +eight days and rested only four. We had expected +four days' rest after our first trip to the +firing-line, but at the end of two days came +word of a determined advance of the enemy. +We arrived just in time to beat it off. Our +trenches, instead of being at the top, were at +the foot of the hill that meant so much to us. +The ground here was a series of four or five +hogback ridges about a hundred yards apart. +Behind these towered the hill that was our +objective. From the nearest ridge, about seven +hundred yards in front of us, the Turks had +all that day constantly issued in mass formation. +During that attack we were repaid for +the havoc wrought by Beachy Bill. As soon +as the Turk topped the crest they were subjected +to a demoralizing rain of shell from +the navy and the artillery. Against the hazy +blue of the sky-line we could see the dark mass +clearly silhouetted. Every few seconds, when +a shell landed in the middle of the approaching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +columns, the sides of the column would +bulge outward for an instant, then close in +again. Meanwhile every man in our trenches +stood on the firing-platform, head and shoulders +above the parapet, with fixed bayonet and +loaded rifle, waiting for the order to begin firing. +Still the Turks came on, big, black, bewhiskered +six-footers, reforming ranks and +filling up their gaps with fresh men. Now +they were only six hundred yards away, but +still there was no order to open fire. It was +uncanny. At five hundred yards our fire was +still withheld. When the order came, "At four +hundred yards, rapid fire," everybody was +tingling with excitement. Still the Turks +came on, magnificently determined. But it +was too desperate a venture. The chances +against them were too great, our artillery and +machine-gun fire too destructively accurate. +Some few Turks reached almost to our trenches, +only to be stopped by rifle-bullets. "Allah! +Allah!" yelled the Turks as they came on. A +sweating, grimly happy machine-gun sergeant +between orders was shouting to the Turkish +army in general, "'Tis not a damn' bit of +good to yell to Allah now." Our artillery +opened huge gaps in their lines; our machine-guns +piled them dead in the ranks where they +stood. Our own casualties were very slight, +but of the waves of Turks that surged over +the crest all that day only a mere shattered +remnant ever straggled back to their own lines.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +armies in +a state of +siege.</div> + +<p>That was the last big attack the Turks made. +From that time on it was virtually two armies +in a state of siege. Every night at dark we +stood to arms for an hour. Every man fixed +his bayonet and prepared to repulse any attack +of the enemy. After that sentry groups +were formed, three reliefs of two men each. +Two men stood with their heads over the parapet +watching for any movement in the no-man's-land<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +between the lines. That accounts +for the surprisingly large number of men one +sees wounded in the head.</p> + +<p>At daylight every morning came "Stand to +arms" again. Then day duties began. In the +daytime, by using a periscope, an arrangement +of double mirrors, a sentry can keep his head +below the parapet while he watches the ground +in front. Sometimes a bullet struck one of +the mirrors, and the splintered glass blinded +the sentry. It was a common thing to see a +man go to hospital with his face badly lacerated +by periscope glass.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">When a +shell +comes.</div> + +<p>Ordinarily a man is much safer on the firing-line +than in the rest dug-outs. Trenches are +so constructed that even if a shell drops right +in the traverse where men are, only half a +dozen or so suffer. In open or slightly protected +ground where the dug-outs are the burst +of a shrapnel-shell covers an area twenty-five +by two hundred yards in extent.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Shrapnel +and +bullets.</div> + +<p>A shell can be heard coming. Experts claim +to identify the caliber of a gun by the sound +the shell makes. Few live long enough to become +such experts. In Gallipoli the average +length of life was three weeks. In dug-outs +we always ate our meals, such as they were, +to the accompaniment of "Turkish Delight," +the Newfoundlanders' name for shrapnel. We +had become accustomed to rifle-bullets. When +you hear the <i>zing</i> of a spent bullet or the sharp +crack of an explosive you know it has passed +you. The one that hits you you never hear. +At first we dodged at the sound of a passing +bullet, but soon we came actually to believe the +superstition that a bullet would not hit a man +unless it had on it his regimental number and +his name. Then, too, a bullet leaves a clean +wound, and a man hit by it drops out quietly. +The shrapnel makes nasty, jagged, hideous +wounds, the horrible recollection of which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +lingers for days. It is little wonder that we +preferred the firing-line.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The mode +of intrenching.</div> + +<p>Most of our work was done at night. When +we wished to advance our line, we sent forward +a platoon of men the desired distance. Every +man carried with him three empty sand-bags +and his intrenching-tool. Temporary protection +is secured at short notice by having every +man dig a hole in the ground that is large and +deep enough to allow him to lie flat in it. The +intrenching-tool is a miniature pickax, one end +of which resembles a large-bladed hoe with a +sharpened and tempered edge. The pick end +is used to loosen hard material and to break up +large lumps; the other end is used as a shovel +to throw up the dirt. When used in this +fashion the wooden handle is laid aside, the +pick end becomes a handle, and the intrenching-tool +is used in the same manner as a trowel.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +necessity +for concealment.</div> + +<p>Lying on our stomach, our rifles close at +hand, we dug furiously. First we loosened up +enough earth in front of our heads to fill a +sand-bag. This sand-bag we placed beside our +heads on the side nearest the enemy. Out in +no-man's-land, with bullets and machine-gun +balls pattering about us, we did fast work. As +soon as we had filled the second and third +sand-bags we placed them on top of the first. +In Gallipoli every other military necessity was +subordinated to concealment. Often we could +complete a trench and occupy it before the +enemy knew of it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Turks +use star-shells.</div> + +<p>Sometimes while we were digging the Turks +surprised us by sending up star-shells. They +burst like rockets high overhead. Everything +was outlined in a strange, uncanny way that +gave the effect of stage-fire. At first when a +man saw a star-shell he dropped flat on his +face; but after a good many men had been +riddled by bullets, we saw our mistake. The +sudden blinding glare makes it impossible to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +identify objects before the light fades. Star-shells +show only movement. The first stir between +the lines becomes the target for both +sides. So after that, even when a man was +standing upright, he simply stood still.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Aeroplanes'">Aëroplanes</ins> +attacked +by artillery.</div> + +<p>Every afternoon from just behind our lines +an aëroplane buzzed up. At the tremendous +height it looked like an immense blue-bottle +fly. At first the enemy's aëroplanes came out +to meet ours, but a few encounters with our +men soon convinced them of the futility of this. +After that they relied on their artillery. In +the air all around the tiny speck we could see +white puffs of smoke where their shrapnel was +exploding. Sometimes those puffs were perilously +close to it; at such times our hearts were +in our mouths. Everybody in the trench +craned his neck to see. When our aëroplane +manœuvered clear you could hear a sigh of +relief run along the trench.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">An air-man's +adventure.</div> + +<p>One of our air-men, Samson, captured a German +Taube that he used for daily reconnaissance. +Every day we watched him hover over +the Turkish lines, circle clear of their bursting +shrapnel, and return to our artillery with his +report. One day we watched two hostile planes +chase him back right to our trench. When +they came near us we opened rapid fire that +forced them to turn; but before Samson reached +his landing-place at Salt Lake we could see +that he was in trouble; one of the wings of the +machine was drooping badly. We watched +him land in safety, saw him jump out of his +seat, and walk about ten yards to a waiting +motor-ambulance. The ambulance had just +turned when a shell hit the aëroplane. A +second shell blew it to pieces.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A naval +and +artillery +bombardment.</div> + +<p>But Samson had completed his mission. +About half an hour later the navy in the bay +and our artillery began a bombardment. From +our trenches, looking through ravines, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +could see the men-of-war lined up pouring +broadsides over our heads into the Turkish +lines. From our position in the valley we +watched our shells demolish the enemy's front-line +trenches on the hill well to our left. +Through field-glasses we could see the communication-trenches +choked with fleeing Turks. +Some of our artillery concentrated on the support-trenches, +preventing reinforcements from +coming up. A mule-train of supplies was +caught in the curtain of fire. The Turks, +caught between two fires, could not escape. In +a few minutes all that was left of the scientifically +constructed intrenchments was a conglomerate +heap of sand-bags, equipments, and +machine-guns; and on top of it all lay the +mangled bodies of men and mules.</p> + +<p>All through the bombardment we had hoped +for the order to go over the parapet, but for +the Worcesters on our left was reserved the +distinction of making the charge. High explosives +cleared the way for their advance, and +cheering and yelling they went over the parapet. +The Turks in the front-line trenches, completely +demoralized, fled to the rear. A few, +too weak or too sorely wounded to run, surrendered.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Turk's +dislike for +German +officers.</div> + +<p>Prisoners taken in this engagement told us +that the Turkish rank and file heartily hated +their German officers. One prisoner said that +he had been an officer, but since the outbreak of +this war had been replaced by a German. At +present the Turks are officered entirely by +Germans.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Losses +from +disease.</div> + +<p>With the monotony varied occasionally by +some local engagement like this we dragged +through the hot, fly-pestered days and cold, +drafty, vermin-infested nights of September +and early October. By the middle of October, +1915, disease and scarcity of water had depleted +our ranks; instead of having four days<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +on the firing-line and eight days' rest, we were +holding the firing-line eight days and resting +only four. In my platoon, of the six non-commissioned +officers who started with us, only +two corporals were left, I and one other. For +a week after he had been ordered by the doctor +to leave the peninsula the other chap hung on, +pluckily determined not to leave me alone, although +staying meant keeping awake nearly +all night. By this time dysentery and enteric +had taken toll of more men than bullets. These +diseases became epidemic until the clearing-stations +and the beaches were choked with +sick. The time we should have been sleeping +was spent in digging, but still the men worked +uncomplainingly. Some, too game to quit, +would not report to the doctor, working on +courageously until they dropped, although +down in the bay beckoned the Red Cross of +the hospital-ship, with its assurance of safety, +rest, and cleanliness. By sickness and snipers' +bullets we lost thirty men a day. Every day +the sun poured down relentlessly, adding to +the torment of parched throats and tongues. +Every night, doubly cold in comparison with +the day's burning heat, found us chilled and +shivering.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +wounded +considered +lucky.</div> + +<p>Nobody in the front-line trenches or on the +shell-swept area behind ever expected to leave +the peninsula alive. Their one hope was to +get off wounded. Every night men leaving the +trenches to bring up rations from the beach +shook hands with their comrades. From every +ration party of twenty men we always counted +on losing two. Those who were wounded were +looked on as lucky. The best thing we could +wish a man was a "cushy wound," one that +would not prove fatal. But no one wanted to +quit. Every day rumors flew through the +trenches that in four days all the Turks would +surrender. Men dying from dysentery and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +enteric lingered to see it, but the surrender +never materialized.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Faith in +Australians.</div> + +<p>We knew that in the particular section of +trench held by us an advance was hopeless. +Still, we thought that some other parts of the +line might advance. There was always faith +in the invincible Australasians. Early in October, +1915, had come the news of the British +advance at Loos. The report that reached us +said that the enemy on the entire Western +front had begun to retreat. The Australians, +catching the Turks napping, took two lines +of trenches.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The man +who stood +on a +bomb.</div> + +<p>By the time I left, the sordid monotony had +begun to tell on the men. Every day officers +were besieged with requests for permission to +go out between the lines to locate snipers. +When men were wanted for night patrol every +one volunteered. Ration parties, which had +formerly been a dread, were now an eagerly +sought variation. Any change was welcome. +The thought of being killed had lost its fear. +Daily intercourse with death had robbed it of +its horror. One chap had his leg blown off +from standing on a bomb. Later, in hospital, +he told me that he felt satisfied. He had always +wondered what would happen if a man +stood on a bomb; now he knew. It illustrates +how the men hated the deadly sameness. Anything +was better than waiting in the trenches, +better than being killed without a chance to +struggle.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Donnelly's +post on +Caribou +Ridge.</div> + +<p>The men our regiment lost, although they +gladly fought a hopeless fight, have not died +in vain; the foremost advance on the Suvla +Bay front, Donnelly's Post on Caribou Ridge, +was made by Newfoundlanders. It is called +Donnelly's Post because it is here that Lieutenant +Donnelly won his military cross. The +hitherto nameless ridge from which the Turkish +machine-guns poured their concentrated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +death into our trenches stands as a monument +to the initiative of the Newfoundlanders. It +is now Caribou Ridge as a recognition of the +men who wear the deer's-head badge.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Swept by +machine-guns.</div> + +<p>From Caribou Ridge the Turks could enfilade +parts of our firing-line. For weeks they +had continued to pick off our men one by one. +You could almost tell when your turn was +coming. I know, because from Caribou Ridge +came the bullet that sent me off the peninsula. +The machine-guns on Caribou Ridge not only +swept parts of our trench, but commanded all +of the intervening ground. Several attempts +had been made to rush those guns. All had +failed, held up by the murderous machine-gun +fire. Under cover of darkness, Lieutenant +Donnelly, with only eight men, surprised the +Turks in the post that now bears his name. +The captured machine-gun he used to repulse +constantly launched bomb and rifle attacks.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">How +Donnelly +surprised +the Turks.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Deeds of +great +heroism.</div> + +<p>Just at dusk one evening Donnelly stole out +to Caribou Ridge and surprised the Turks. +All night the Turks strove to recover their lost +ground. Darkness was the Newfoundlanders' +ally. When reinforcements arrived, Donnelly's +eight men were reduced to two. Dawn showed +the havoc wrought by the gallant little group. +The ground in front of the post was a shambles +of piled-up Turkish corpses. But daylight +showed something more to the credit of the +Newfoundlanders than the mere taking <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'oof'">of</ins> the +ridge. It showed one of Donnelly's men, Jack +Hynes, who had crawled away from his companion +to a point about two hundred yards to +the left. From here he had all alone kept up +through the whole night a rapid fire on the +enemy's flank that duped them into believing +that we had men there in force. It showed +Hynes purposely falling back over exposed +ground to draw the enemy's attention from +Sergeant Greene, who was coolly making trip<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +after trip between the ridge and our lines, +carrying a wounded man in his arms every time +until all our wounded were in safety. Hynes +and Greene were each given a distinguished-conduct +medal. None was ever more nobly +earned.</p> + +<p>One Saturday morning near the end of October, +1915, the brigade major passed through +our lines. Before we took over the trench the +occupants of the firing-line threw their refuse +over the parapet into the short underbrush. +Since coming in we had made a dump for it. +I was sent out with five men to remove the +rubbish from the underbrush to the dump, and +this despite the fact that a short distance to +our right we had just lost two men sent over +the parapet in broad daylight to pick up some +cans.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +writer is +wounded.</div> + +<p>About nine in the morning we started. It +was about half-an-hour's work. There was no +cover for men standing. The small bushes hid +men lying or sitting. Every little while I gave +the men a rest, making them sit in the shelter +of the underbrush. We had almost finished +when the snipers somewhere on our left began +to bang at us. I ordered the men to cover, and +was just pointing out a likely place to young +Hynes when I felt a dull thud in the left +shoulder-blade and a sharp pain in my chest. +Then came a drowsy, languid feeling, and +I sank down first on my knees, then my head +dropped over on my chest, and down I went +like a Mohammedan saying his prayers. Connecting +the hit in the back with the pain in my +chest, I concluded that I was done for, and +can distinctly remember thinking quite calmly +that I was indeed fortunate to be conscious +long enough to tell them what to do about my +will and so forth. I tried to say, "I'm hit," +and must have succeeded, because immediately +I heard my henchman Hynes yell with a frenzied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +oath: "The corporal's struck! Can't you +see the corporal's struck?" and heard him +curse the Turk. Then I heard the others say, +"We must get him in out of this." After that +I was quite clear-headed, and when three or +four of the finest boys that ever stepped risked +their lives to come out over the parapet under +fire, I was able to tell them how to lift me, and +when the stretcher-bearers arrived to give me +first aid I was conscious enough to tell them +where to look for the wound. Also I became +angry at the crowd who gathered around to +watch the dressing and make remarks about the +amount of blood. I asked them if they thought +it was a nickel-show. This when I felt almost +certain I was dying. I don't remember even +feeling relieved when they told me the bullet +had not gone through my heart.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Hospital +at Alexandria.</div> + +<p>That night I was put on board a hospital-ship, +and a few days later I was in hospital at +Alexandria.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The rear-guard +action.</div> + +<p>The night the First Newfoundland Regiment +landed in Suvla Bay there were about eleven +hundred of us. In December, 1915, when the +British forces evacuated Gallipoli, to the remnant +of our regiment fell the honor of fighting +the rear-guard action. This is the highest +recognition a regiment can receive; for the duty +of the rear-guard in a retreat is to keep the +enemy from reaching the main body of troops, +even if this means annihilation for itself. At +Lemnos island the next day, when the roll was +called, of the eleven hundred men who landed +when I did, only one hundred and seventy-one +answered "Here."</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Copyright, Century Magazine, July, 1916.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The German armies, following the Great Retreat +from the Marne to the Aisne, and after +the series of mighty struggles which make up +the Battle of the Aisne, and the attempts to +win the Channel ports, continued the efforts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +to break through the British and French lines. +The British held the strong line of Ypres, +and in March made gains at Neuve Chapelle. +In April the Germans made a desperate effort +to break through at Ypres. There followed the +Second Battle of Ypres, terrific in itself, but +especially notable because of the first employment +by the Germans of poisonous gas.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GAS: SECOND BATTLE OF YPRES</h2> + +<h3>COL. E. D. SWINTON</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">Second +Battle of +Ypres.</div> + +<p>Since the last summary there has been a +sudden development in the situation on our +front, and very heavy fighting has taken +place to the north and northeast of Ypres, +which can be said to have assumed the importance +of a second battle for that town. With +the aid of a method of warfare up to now never +employed by nations sufficiently civilized to +consider themselves bound by international +agreements solemnly ratified by themselves, +and favored by the atmospheric conditions, the +Germans have put into effect an attack which +they have evidently contemplated and prepared +for some time.</p> + +<p>Before the battle began our line in this quarter +ran from the cross-roads at Broodseinde, +east of Zonnebeke on the Ypres-Moorslede Road +to the cross-roads half a mile north of St. +Julien, on the Ypres-Poelcapelle Road, roughly +following the crest of what is known as the +Grafenstafel Ridge. The French prolonged the +line west of the Ypres-Poelcapelle Road, whence +their trenches ran around the north of Langemarck +to Steenstraate on the Yperlee Canal. +The area covered by the initial attack is that +between the canal and the Ypres-Poelcapelle +Road, though it was afterward extended to +the west of the canal and to the east of the +road.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +plan a +gas attack.</div> + +<p>An effort on the part of the Germans in this +direction was not unexpected, since movements +of troops and transport behind their front line +had been detected for some days. Its peculiar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +and novel nature, however, was a surprise +which was largely responsible for the measure +of success achieved. Taking advantage of the +fact that at this season of the year the wind +not infrequently blows from the north, they +secretly brought up apparatus for emitting +asphyxiating vapor or gas, and distributed it +along the section of their front line opposite +that of our allies, west of Langemarck, which +faced almost due north. Their plan was to +make a sudden onslaught southwestward, +which, if successful, might enable them to gain +the crossings on the canal south of Bixschoote +and place them well behind the British left in +a position to threaten Ypres.</p> + +<p>The attack was originally fixed for Tuesday, +the 20th, but since all chances of success depended +on the action of the asphyxiating vapor +it was postponed, the weather being unfavorable. +On Thursday, the 22d, the wind blew +steadily from the north, and that afternoon, +all being ready, the Germans put their plan +into execution. Since then events have moved +so rapidly and the situation has moved so frequently +that it is difficult to give a consecutive +and clear story of what happened, but the following +account represents as nearly as can be +the general course of events. The details of +the gas apparatus employed by them are given +separately, as also those of the asphyxiating +grenades, bombs, and shells of which they have +been throwing hundreds.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The first +gas battle +in war.</div> + +<p>At some time between 4 and 5 p.m. the Germans +started operations by releasing gases with +the result that a cloud of poisonous vapor rolled +swiftly before the wind from their trenches toward +those of the French west of Langemarck, +held by a portion of the French Colonial Division. +Allowing sufficient time for the fumes to +take full effect on the troops facing them, the +Germans charged forward over the practically<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +unresisting enemy in their immediate front, +and, penetrating through the gap thus created, +pressed on silently and swiftly to the south and +west. By their sudden irruption they were +able to overrun and surprise a large proportion +of the French troops billeted behind the front +line in this area and to bring some of the French +guns as well as our own under a hot rifle fire +at close range.</p> + +<p>The first intimation that all was not well to +the north was conveyed to our troops holding +the left of the British line between 5 and 6 p.m. +by the withdrawal of some of the French +Colonials and the sight of the wall of vapor +following them. Our flank being thus exposed +the troops were ordered to retire on St. Julien, +with their left parallel to but to the west of +the high road. The splendid resistance of +these troops, who saved the situation, has +already been mentioned by the Commander in +Chief.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bombardment +by +shell and +gas projectiles.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, apparently waiting till their +infantry had penetrated well behind the Allies' +line, the Germans had opened a hot artillery +fire upon the various tactical points to the +north of Ypres, the bombardment being carried +out with ordinary high-explosive shell and +shrapnel of various calibres and also with +projectiles containing asphyxiating gas. About +this period our men in reserve near Ypres, seeing +the shells bursting, had gathered in groups, +discussing the situation and questioning some +scattered bodies of Turcos who had appeared; +suddenly a staff officer rode up shouting "Stand +to your arms," and in a few minutes the troops +had fallen in and were marching northward to +the scene of the fight.</p> + +<p>Nothing more impressive can be imagined +than the sight of our men falling in quietly in +perfect order on their alarm posts amid the +scene of wild confusion caused by the panic-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>stricken +refugees who swarmed along the +roads.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Steadiness +of the +British.</div> + +<p>In the meantime, to the north and northeast +of the town, a confused fight was taking place, +which gave proof not only of great gallantry +and steadiness on the part of the troops referred +to above, but of remarkable presence of +mind on the part of their leaders. Behind the +wall of vapor, which had swept across fields, +through woods, and over hedgerows, came the +German firing line, the men's mouths and +noses, it is stated, protected by pads soaked in +a solution of bicarbonate of soda. Closely following +them again came the supports. These +troops, hurrying forward with their formation +somewhat broken up by the obstacles encountered +in their path, looked like a huge mob bearing +down upon the town. A battery of 4.7-inch +guns a little beyond the left of our line was +surprised and overwhelmed by them in a +moment. Further to the rear and in a more +easterly direction were several field batteries, +and before they could come into action the +Germans were within a few hundred yards. +Not a gun, however, was lost.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The left +retires +slowly.</div> + +<p>One battery, taken in flank, swung around, +fired on the enemy at point-blank range, and +checked the rush. Another opened fire with +the guns pointing in almost opposite directions, +the enemy being on three sides of them. It was +under the very heavy cannonade opened about +this time by the Germans, and threatened by +the advance of vastly superior numbers, that +our infantry on our left steadily, and without +any sign of confusion, slowly retired to St. +Julien, fighting every step.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +reserves +arrive.</div> + +<p>Help was not long in arriving, for some of +our reserves near Ypres had stood to arms as +soon as they were aware of the fact that the +French line had been forced, and the officers +on their own initiative, without waiting for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +orders, led them forward to meet the advancing +enemy, who, by this time, were barely +two miles from the town. These battalions +attacked the Germans with the bayonet, and +then ensued a mêlée, in which our men more +than held their own, both sides losing very +heavily.</p> + +<p>One German battalion seems to have been +especially severely handled, the Colonel being +captured among several other prisoners. Other +reinforcements were thrown in as they came +up, and, when night fell, the fighting continued +by moonlight, our troops driving back +the enemy by repeated bayonet charges, in +the course of which our heavy guns were +recaptured.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +cross +the canal.</div> + +<p>By then the situation was somewhat restored +in the area immediately north of Ypres. Further +to the west, however, the enemy had forced +their way over the canal, occupying Steenstraate +and the crossing at Het Sast, about +three-quarters of a mile south of the former +place, and had established themselves at various +points on the west bank. All night long the +shelling continued, and about 1.30 a.m. two +heavy attacks were made on our line in the +neighborhood of Broodseinde, east of Zonnebeke. +These were both repulsed. The bombardment +of Ypres itself and its neighborhood +had by now redoubled in intensity and a part +of the town was in flames.</p> + +<p>In the early morning of Friday, the 23d, we +delivered a strong counter-attack northward +in co-operation with the French. Our advance +progressed for some little distance, reaching +the edge of the wood about half a mile west of +St. Julien and penetrating it. Here our men +got into the Germans with the bayonet, and +the latter suffered heavily. The losses were +also severe on our side, for the advance had +to be carried out across the open. But in spite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +of this nothing could exceed the dash with +which it was conducted. One man—and his +case is typical of the spirit shown by the troops—who +had had his rifle smashed by a bullet, +continued to fight with an intrenching tool. +Even many of the wounded made their way +out of the fight with some article of German +equipment as a memento.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +British +intrench.</div> + +<p>About 11 a.m., not being able to progress +further, our troops dug themselves in, the line +then running from St. Julien practically due +west for about a mile, whence it curved southwestward +before turning north to the canal +near Boesinghe. Broadly speaking, on the section +of the front then occupied by us the result +of the operations had been to remove to +some extent the wedge which the Germans had +driven into the allied line, and the immediate +danger was over.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon our counter-attack +made further progress south of Pilkem, thus +straightening the line still more. Along the +canal the fighting raged fiercely, our allies +making some progress here and there. During +the night, however, the Germans captured +Lizerne, a village on the main road from Ypres +to Steenstraate.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +enemy +throws +bridges +across the +canal.</div> + +<p>When the morning of the 24th came the +situation remained much the same, but the +enemy, who had thrown several bridges across +the canal, continued to gain ground to the west. +On our front the Germans, under cover of their +gas, made a further attack between 3 and 4 +a.m. to the east of St. Julien and forced back +a portion of our line. Nothing else in particular +occurred until about midday, when +large bodies of the enemy were seen advancing +down the Ypres-Poelcapelle road toward St. +Julien. Soon after a very strong attack developed +against that village and the section of +the line east of it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">A French +counter-attack.</div> + +<p>Under the pressure of these fresh masses our +troops were compelled to fall back, contesting +every inch of ground and making repeated +counter-attacks; but until late at night a +gallant handful, some 200 to 300 strong, held +out in St. Julien. During the night the line +was re-established north of the hamlet of +Fortuin, about 700 yards further to the rear. +All this time the fighting along the canal continued, +the enemy forcing their way across near +Boesinghe, and holding Het Sase, Steenstraate, +and Lizerne strongly. The French counter-attacked +in the afternoon, captured fifty prisoners, +and made some further progress toward +Pilkem. The Germans, however, were still holding +the west bank firmly, although the Belgian +artillery had broken the bridge behind them at +Steenstraate.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +assaults on +Broodseinde.</div> + +<p>On the morning of Sunday, the fourth day +of the battle, we made a strong counter-attack +on St. Julien, which gained some ground but +was checked in front of the village. To the +west of it we reached a point a few hundred +yards south of the wood which had been the +objective on the 23d and which we had had to +relinquish subsequently. In the afternoon the +Germans made repeated assaults in great +strength on our line near Broodseinde. These +were backed up by a tremendous artillery bombardment +under the throwing of asphyxiating +bombs; but all were beaten off with great +slaughter to the enemy, and forty-five prisoners +fell into our hands. When night came the +situation remained unchanged.</p> + +<p>This determined offensive on the part of the +enemy, although it has menaced Ypres itself, +has not so far the appearance of a great effort +to break the line and capture the Channel ports. +Its initial success was gained by the surprise +rendered possible by the use of a device which +Germany pledged herself not to employ.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 407px;"> +<a href="images/2-map-big.png"><img src="images/2-map.png" width="407" height="600" alt="THE GAS BATTLE OF YPRES" title="THE GAS BATTLE OF YPRES" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE GAS BATTLE OF YPRES</span> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE CANADIANS AT YPRES</h2> + +<h3>BY THE CANADIAN +RECORD OFFICER</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">Position +of the +Canadian +Division.</div> + +<p>On April 22 the Canadian Division held a +line of, roughly, 5,000 yards, extending +in a northwesterly direction from the +Ypres-Roulers Railway to the Ypres-Poelcapelle +road, and connecting at its terminus with the +French troops. The division consisted of three +infantry brigades, in addition to the artillery +brigades. Of the infantry brigades the First +was in reserve, the Second was on the right, +and the Third established contact with the +Allies at the point indicated above.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +sudden +gas +attack.</div> + +<p>The day was a peaceful one, warm and sunny, +and except that the previous day had witnessed +a further bombardment of the stricken town of +Ypres, everything seemed quiet in front of the +Canadian line. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon +a plan, carefully prepared, was put into execution +against our French allies on the left. +Asphyxiating gas of great intensity was projected +into their trenches, probably by means of +force pumps and pipes laid out under the parapets. +The fumes, aided by a favorable wind, +floated backward, poisoning and disabling over +an extended area those who fell under their +effect.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +French +give +ground.</div> + +<p>The result was that the French were compelled +to give ground for a considerable distance. +The glory which the French Army has +won in this war would make it impertinent to +labor the compelling nature of the poisonous +discharges under which the trenches were lost. +The French did, as every one knew they would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +do, all that stout soldiers could do, and the +Canadian Division, officers and men, look forward +to many occasions in the future in which +they will stand side by side with the brave +armies of France.</p> + +<p>The immediate consequences of this enforced +withdrawal were, of course, extremely grave. +The Third Brigade of the Canadian Division +was without any left, or, in other words, its +left was in the air.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Gap +on the +Canadian +left.</div> + +<p>It became imperatively necessary greatly to +extend the Canadian lines to the left rear. It +was not, of course, practicable to move the +First Brigade from reserve at a moment's +notice, and the line, extending from 5,000 to +9,000 yards, was naturally not the line that +had been held by the Allies at 5 o'clock, and +a gap still existed on its left.</p> + +<p>It became necessary for Brigadier General +Turner, commanding the Third Brigade, to +throw back his left flank southward to protect +his rear.</p> + +<p>In the course of the confusion which followed +upon the readjustments of position, the +enemy, who had advanced rapidly after his +initial successes, took four British 4.7 guns in +a small wood to the west of the village of St. +Julien, two miles in the rear of the original +French trenches.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Heroism +of the +Canadian +Division.</div> + +<p>The story of the second battle of Ypres is +the story of how the Canadian Division, enormously +outnumbered—for they had in front of +them at least four divisions, supported by immensely +heavy artillery—with a gap still existing, +though reduced, in their lines, and with +dispositions made hurriedly under the stimulus +of critical danger, fought through the day and +through the night, and then through another +day and night; fought under their officers until, +as happened to so many, those perished gloriously, +and then fought from the impulsion of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +sheer valor because they came from fighting +stock.</p> + +<p>The enemy, of course, was aware—whether +fully or not may perhaps be doubted—of the +advantage his breach in the line had given him, +and immediately began to push a formidable +series of attacks upon the whole of the newly-formed +Canadian salient. If it is possible to +distinguish when the attack was everywhere so +fierce, it developed with particular intensity at +this moment upon the apex of the newly formed +line, running in the direction of St. Julien.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Assault +on the +wood.</div> + +<p>It has already been stated that four British +guns were taken in a wood comparatively early +in the evening of the 22d. In the course of that +night, and under the heaviest machine-gun fire, +this wood was assaulted by the Canadian Scottish, +Sixteenth Battalion of the Third Brigade, +and the Tenth Battalion of the Second Brigade, +which was intercepted for this purpose on its +way to a reserve trench. The battalions were +respectively commanded by Lieutenant Colonel +Leckie and Lieutenant Colonel Boyle, and after +a most fierce struggle in the light of a misty +moon they took the position at the point of the +bayonet. At midnight the Second Battalion, +under Colonel Watson, and the Toronto Regiment, +Queen's Own, Third Battalion, under +Lieutenant Colonel Rennie, both of the First +Brigade, brought up much-needed reinforcement, +and though not actually engaged in the +assault were in reserve.</p> + +<p>All through the following days and nights +these battalions shared the fortunes and misfortunes +of the Third Brigade. An officer who +took part in the attack describes how the men +about him fell under the fire of the machine +guns, which, in his phrase, played upon them +"like a watering pot." He added quite simply, +"I wrote my own life off." But the line never +wavered. When one man fell another took his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +place, and with a final shout the survivors of +the two battalions flung themselves into the +wood. The German garrison was completely +demoralized, and the impetuous advance of the +Canadians did not cease until they reached the +far side of the wood and intrenched themselves +there in the position so dearly gained. They +had, however, the disappointment of finding +that the guns had been <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'blow'">blown</ins> up by the enemy, +and later on in the same night a most formidable +concentration of artillery fire, sweeping +the wood as a tropical storm sweeps the leaves +from a forest, made it impossible for them to +hold the position for which they had sacrificed +so much.</p> + +<p>The fighting continued without intermission +all through the night, and, to those who observed +the indications that the attack was being +pushed with ever-growing strength, it hardly +seemed possible that the Canadians, fighting +in positions so difficult to defend and so +little the subject of deliberate choice, could +maintain their resistance for any long period. +At 6 A. M. on Friday it became apparent that +the left was becoming more and more involved, +and a powerful German attempt to outflank +it developed rapidly. The consequences, if it +had been broken or outflanked, need not be insisted +upon. They were not merely local.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Counter-attack +on +German lines.</div> + +<p>It was therefore decided, formidable as the +attempt undoubtedly was, to try and give relief +by a counter-attack upon the first line of +German trenches, now far, far advanced from +those originally occupied by the French. This +was carried out by the Ontario First and +Fourth Battalions of the First Brigade, under +Brigadier General Mercer, acting in combination +with a British brigade.</p> + +<p>It is safe to say that the youngest private +in the rank, as he set his teeth for the advance, +knew the task in front of him, and the youngest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +subaltern knew all that rested upon its +success. It did not seem that any human being +could live in the shower of shot and shell +which began to play upon the advancing troops. +They suffered terrible casualties. For a short +time every other man seemed to fall, but the +attack was pressed ever closer and closer.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy's +first line +trenches +taken.</div> + +<p>The Fourth Canadian Battalion at one +moment came under a particularly withering +fire. For a moment—not more—it wavered. +Its most gallant commanding officer, Lieutenant +Colonel Burchill, carrying, after an old +fashion, a light cane, coolly and cheerfully +rallied his men and, at the very moment when +his example had infected them, fell dead at the +head of his battalion. With a hoarse cry of +anger they sprang forward, (for, indeed, they +loved him,) as if to avenge his death. The +astonishing attack which followed—pushed +home in the face of direct frontal fire made +in broad daylight by battalions whose names +should live for ever in the memories of soldiers—was +carried to the first line of German +trenches. After a hand-to-hand struggle the +last German who resisted was bayoneted, and +the trench was won.</p> + +<p>The measure of this success may be taken +when it is pointed out that this trench represented +in the German advance the apex in +the breach which the enemy had made in the +original line of the Allies, and that it was two +and a half miles south of that line. This +charge, made by men who looked death indifferently +in the face, (for no man who took part +in it could think that he was likely to live,) +saved, and that was much, the Canadian left. +But it did more. Up to the point where the assailants +conquered, or died, it secured and +maintained during the most critical moment +of all the integrity of the allied line. For the +trench was not only taken, it was held thereafter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +against all comers, and in the teeth of +every conceivable projectile, until the night of +Sunday, the 25th, when all that remained of +the war-broken but victorious battalions was +relieved by fresh troops.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +poisonous +gas +attack.</div> + +<p>It is necessary now to return to the fortunes +of the Third Brigade, commanded by Brigadier +General Turner, which, as we have seen, at 5 +o'clock on Thursday was holding the Canadian +left, and after the first attack assumed the defense +of the new Canadian salient, at the same +time sparing all the men it could to form an extemporized +line between the wood and St. +Julien. This brigade also was at the first moment +of the German offensive, made the object +of an attack by the discharge of poisonous gas. +The discharge was followed by two enemy +assaults. Although the fumes were extremely +poisonous, they were not, perhaps having regard +to the wind, so disabling as on the French +lines, (which ran almost east to west,) and the +brigade, though affected by the fumes, stoutly +beat back the two German assaults.</p> + +<p>Encouraged by this success, it rose to the +supreme effort required by the assault on the +wood, which has already been described. At +4 o'clock on the morning of Friday, the 23d, +a fresh emission of gas was made both upon +the Second Brigade, which held the line running +northeast, and upon the Third Brigade, +which, as has been fully explained, had continued +the line up to the pivotal point, as defined +above, and had then spread down in a +southeasterly direction. It is, perhaps, worth +mentioning that two privates of the Forty-eighth +Highlanders who found their way into +the trenches commanded by Colonel Lipsett, +Ninetieth Winnipeg Rifles, Eighth Battalion, +perished in the fumes, and it was noticed that +their faces became blue immediately after dissolution.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">A brief +retirement.</div> + +<p>The Royal Highlanders of Montreal, Thirteenth +Battalion, and the Forty-eighth Highlanders, +Fifteenth Battalion, were more especially +affected by the discharge. The Royal +Highlanders, though considerably shaken, remained +immovable upon their ground. The +Forty-eighth Highlanders, which, no doubt, received +a more poisonous discharge, was for the +moment dismayed, and, indeed, their trench, +according to the testimony of very hardened +soldiers, became intolerable. The battalion retired +from the trench, but for a very short distance, +and for an equally short time, in a few +moments they were again their own men. They +advanced upon and occupied the trenches +which they had momentarily abandoned.</p> + +<p>In the course of the same night the Third +Brigade, which had already displayed a resource, +a gallantry, and a tenacity for which +no eulogy could be excessive, was exposed +(and with it the whole allied case) to a peril +still more formidable.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +pass gap +on left.</div> + +<p>It has been explained, and, indeed, the fundamental +situation made the peril clear, that +several German divisions were attempting to +crush or drive back this devoted brigade, and +in any event to use their enormous numerical +superiority to sweep around and overwhelm +its left wing. At some point in the line which +cannot be precisely determined the last attempt +partially succeeded, and in the course +of this critical struggle German troops in considerable +though not in overwhelming numbers +swung past the unsupported left of the +brigade, and, slipping in between the wood +and St. Julien, added to the torturing anxieties +of the long-drawn struggle by the appearance, +and indeed for the moment the reality, +of isolation from the brigade base.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Royal +Highlanders of +Montreal.</div> + +<p>In the exertions made by the Third Brigade +during this supreme crisis it is almost impossible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +to single out one battalion without injustice +to others, but though the efforts of the +Royal Highlanders of Montreal, Thirteenth +Battalion, were only equal to those of the other +battalions who did such heroic service, it so +happened by chance that the fate of some of +its officers attracted special attention.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Death of +Captain +McCuaig.</div> + +<p>Major Norsworth, already almost disabled +by a bullet wound, was bayoneted and killed +while he was rallying his men with easy cheerfulness. +The case of Captain McCuaig, of the +same battalion, was not less glorious, although +his death can claim no witness. This most +gallant officer was seriously wounded, in a +hurriedly constructed trench, at a moment +when it would have been possible to remove +him to safety. He absolutely refused to move +and continued in the discharge of his duty.</p> + +<p>But the situation grew constantly worse, +and peremptory orders were received for an +immediate withdrawal. Those who were compelled +to obey them were most insistent to +carry with them, at whatever risk to their +own mobility and safety, an officer to whom +they were devotedly attached. But he, knowing, +it may be, better than they, the exertions +which still lay in front of them, and unwilling +to inflict upon them the disabilities of a +maimed man, very resolutely refused, and +asked of them one thing only, that there should +be given to him, as he lay alone in the trench, +two loaded Colt revolvers to add to his own, +which lay in his right hand as he made his +last request. And so, with three revolvers +ready to his hand for use, a very brave officer +waited to sell his life, wounded and racked +with pain, in an abandoned trench.</p> + +<p>On Friday afternoon the left of the Canadian +line was strengthened by important reinforcements +of British troops amounting to +seven battalions. From this time forward the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +Canadians also continued to receive further +assistance on the left from a series of French +counter-attacks pushed in a northeasterly +direction from the canal bank.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +defenders +give +ground.</div> + +<p>But the artillery fire of the enemy continually +grew in intensity, and it became more and +more evident that the Canadian salient could +no longer be maintained against the overwhelming +superiority of numbers by which it +was assailed. Slowly, stubbornly, and contesting +every yard, the defenders gave ground until +the salient gradually receded from the apex, +near the point where it had originally aligned +with the French, and fell back upon St. Julien.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +enemy in +St. Julien.</div> + +<p>Soon it became evident that even St. Julien, +exposed to fire from right and left, was no +longer tenable in the fact of overwhelming +numerical superiority. The Third Brigade was +therefore ordered to retreat further south, selling +every yard of ground as dearly as it had +done since 5 o'clock on Thursday. But it was +found impossible, without hazarding far larger +forces, to disentangle the detachment of the +Royal Highlanders of Montreal, Thirteenth +Battalion, and of the Royal Montreal Regiment, +Fourteenth Battalion. The brigade was +ordered, and not a moment too soon, to move +back. It left these units with hearts as heavy +as those with which his comrades had said farewell +to Captain McCuaig. The German tide +rolled, indeed, over the deserted village, but +for several hours after the enemy had become +master of the village the sullen and persistent +rifle fire which survived showed that they were +not yet master of the Canadian rearguard. If +they died, they died worthily of Canada.</p> + +<p>The enforced retirement of the Third Brigade +(and to have stayed longer would have +been madness) reproduced for the Second Brigade, +commanded by Brigadier General Curry, +in a singularly exact fashion, the position of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +the Third Brigade itself at the moment of the +withdrawal of the French. The Second Brigade, +it must be remembered, had retained the +whole line of trenches, roughly 2,500 yards, +which it was holding at 5 o'clock on Thursday +afternoon, supported by the incomparable exertions +of the Third Brigade, and by the highly +hazardous employment in which necessity had +involved that brigade. The Second Brigade +had maintained its lines.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Curry's +maneuvres.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Lieutenant +Colonel Lipsett +holds +the left.</div> + +<p>It now devolved upon General Curry, commanding +this brigade, to reproduce the tactical +maneuvres with which, earlier in the fight, the +Third Brigade had adapted itself to the flank +movement of overwhelming numerical superiority. +He flung his left flank around south, +and his record is, that in the very crisis of this +immense struggle he held his line of trenches +from Thursday at 5 o'clock till Sunday afternoon. +And on Sunday afternoon he had not +abandoned his trenches. There were none left. +They had been obliterated by artillery. He +withdrew his undefeated troops from the fragments +of his field fortifications, and the hearts +of his men were as completely unbroken as +the parapets of his trenches were completely +broken. In such a brigade it is invidious to +single out any battalion for special praise, but +it is, perhaps, necessary to the story to point +out that Lieutenant Colonel Lipsett, commanding +the Ninetieth Winnipeg Rifles, Eighth +Battalion of the Second Brigade, held the extreme +left of the brigade position at the most +critical moment.</p> + +<p>The battalion was expelled from the trenches +early on Friday morning by an emission of +poisonous gas, but, recovering in three-quarters +of an hour, it counter-attacked, retook the +trenches it had abandoned, and bayoneted the +enemy. And after the Third Brigade had been +forced to retire Lieutenant Colonel Lipsett held<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +his position, though his left was in the air, +until two British regiments filled up the gap on +Saturday night.</p> + +<p>The individual fortunes of these two brigades +have brought us to the events of Sunday +afternoon, but it is necessary, to make the +story complete, to recur for a moment to the +events of the morning. After a very formidable +attack the enemy succeeded in capturing +the village of St. Julien, which has so often +been referred to in describing the fortunes of +the Canadian left. This success opened up a +new and formidable line of advance, but by +this time further reinforcements had arrived. +Here, again, it became evident that the tactical +necessities of the situation dictated an offensive +movement as the surest method of arresting +further progress.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Cheers +for the +Canadians.</div> + +<p>General Alderson, who was in command of +the reinforcements, accordingly directed that +an advance should be made by a British brigade +which had been brought up in support. +The attack was thrust through the Canadian +left and centre, and as the troops making it +swept on, many of them going to certain death, +they paused an instant, and, with deep-throated +cheers for Canada, gave the first indication +to the division of the warm admiration +which their exertions had excited in the +British Army.</p> + +<p>The advance was indeed costly, but it could +not be gainsaid. The story is one of which the +brigade may be proud, but it does not belong +to the special account of the fortunes of the +Canadian contingent. It is sufficient for our +purpose to notice that the attack succeeded in +its object, and the German advance along the +line, momentarily threatened, was arrested.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Second +and Third +Brigades +relieved.</div> + +<p>We had reached, in describing the events of +the afternoon, the points at which the trenches +of the Second Brigade had been completely destroyed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +This brigade, the Third Brigade, and +the considerable reinforcements which this +time filled the gap between the two brigades +were gradually driven fighting every yard +upon a line running, roughly, from Fortuin, +south of St. Julien, in a northeasterly direction +toward Passchendaele. Here the two brigades +were relieved by two British brigades, after +exertions as glorious, as fruitful, and, alas! as +costly as soldiers have ever been called upon +to make.</p> + +<p>Monday morning broke bright and clear and +found the Canadians behind the firing line. +This day, too, was to bring its anxieties. The +attack was still pressed, and it became necessary +to ask Brigadier General Curry whether +he could once more call upon his shrunken brigade. +"The men are tired," this indomitable +soldier replied, "but they are ready and glad to +go again to the trenches." And so once more, a +hero leading heroes, the General marched back +the men of the Second Brigade, reduced to a +quarter of its original strength, to the very +apex of the line as it existed at that moment.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Back +to the +apex of +the line.</div> + +<p>This position he held all day Monday; on +Tuesday he was still occupying the reserve +trenches, and on Wednesday was relieved and +retired to billets in the rear.</p> + +<p>Such, in the most general outline, is the +story of a great and glorious feat of arms. A +story told so soon after the event, while rendering +bare justice to units whose doings fell +under the eyes of particular observers, must do +less than justice to others who played their +part—and all did—as gloriously as those +whose special activities it is possible, even at +this stage, to describe. But the friends of men +who fought in other battalions may be content +in the knowledge that they, too, shall +learn, when time allows the complete correlation +of diaries, the exact part which each unit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +played in these unforgettable days. It is rather +accident than special distinction which had +made it possible to select individual battalions +for mention.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Signalers +and dispatch +carriers.</div> + +<p>It would not be right to close even this account +without a word of tribute to the auxiliary +services. The signalers were always cool +and resourceful. The telegraph and telephone +wires being constantly cut, many belonging to +this service rendered up their lives in the discharge +of their duty, carrying out repairs with +the most complete calmness in exposed positions. +The dispatch carriers, as usual, behaved +with the greatest bravery. Theirs is a lonely +life, and very often a lonely death. One cycle +messenger lay upon the ground, badly +wounded. He stopped a passing officer and delivered +his message, together with some verbal +instructions. These were coherently given, but +he swooned almost before the words were out +of his mouth.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Artillery +and engineers.</div> + +<p>The artillery never flagged in the sleepless +struggle in which so much depended upon its +exertions. Not a Canadian gun was lost in +the long battle of retreat. And the nature of +the position renders such a record very remarkable. +One battery of four guns found itself +in such a situation that it was compelled +to turn two of its guns directly about and fire +upon the enemy in positions almost diametrically +opposite.</p> + +<p>It is not possible in this account to attempt +a description of the services rendered by the +Canadian Engineers or the Medical Corps. +Their members rivaled in coolness, endurance, +and valor the Canadian infantry, whose comrades +they were, and it is hoped in separate +communications to do justice to both these +brilliant services.</p> + +<p>No attempt has been made in this description +to explain the recent operations except in so far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +as they spring from, or are connected with, +the fortunes of the Canadian Division. It is +certain that the exertions of the troops who +reinforced and later relieved the Canadians +were not less glorious, but the long, drawn-out +struggle is a lesson to the whole empire. "Arise, +O Israel!" The empire is engaged in a struggle, +without quarter and without compromise, +against an enemy still superbly organized, still +immensely powerful, still confident that its +strength is the mate of its necessities. To +arms, then, and still to arms! In Great Britain, +in Canada, in Australia there is need, and +there is need now, of a community organized +alike in military and industrial co-operation.</p> + +<p>That our countrymen in Canada, even while +their hearts are still bleeding, will answer +every call which is made upon them, we well +know.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Canadian +graveyard in +Flanders.</div> + +<p>The graveyard of Canada in Flanders is +large; it is very large. Those who lie there +have left their mortal remains on alien soil. +To Canada they have bequeathed their memories +and their glory.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +On Fame's eternal camping ground<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their silent tents are spread,</span><br /> +And Glory guards with solemn round<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The bivouac of the dead.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>Assaults accompanied with gas were not +made on every position of the front held by the +British to the north of Ypres at the same time. +At one point it was not until the early morning +of Saturday, April 24, that the Germans +brought this method into operation against a +section of our line not far from our left flank.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Germans +fire poison +gas shells.</div> + +<p>Late on Thursday afternoon the men here +saw portions of the French retiring some distance +to the west, and observed the cloud of +vapor rolling along the ground southward behind +them. Our position was then shelled with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +high explosives until 8 P.M. On Friday also +it was bombarded for some hours, the Germans +firing poison shells for one hour. Their infantry, +who were intrenched about 120 yards +away, evidently expected some result from their +use of the latter, for they put their heads above +the parapets, as if to see what the effect had +been on our men, and at intervals opened rapid +rifle fire. The wind, however, was strong and +dissipated the fumes quickly, our troops did +not suffer seriously from their noxious effect, +and the enemy did not attempt any advance.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Stupefying +gas +employed.</div> + +<p>On Saturday morning, just about dawn, an +airship appeared in the sky to the east of our +line at this point, and dropped four red stars, +which floated downward slowly for some distance +before they died out. When our men, +whose eyes had not unnaturally been fixed on +this display of pyrotechnics, again turned to +their front it was to find the German trenches +rendered invisible by a wall of greenish-yellow +vapor, similar to that observed on the Thursday +afternoon, which was bearing down on +them on the breeze. Through this the Germans +started shooting. During Saturday they employed +stupefying gas on several occasions in +this quarter, but did not press on very quickly. +One reason for this, given by a German +prisoner, is that many of the enemy's infantry +were so affected by the fumes that they could +not advance.</p> + +<p>To continue the narrative from the night of +Sunday, April 25. At 12:30 A. M., in face of +repeated attacks, our infantry fell back from +a part of the Grafenstafel Ridge, northwest of +Zonnebeke, and the line then ran for some distance +along the south bank of the little Haanebeek +stream. The situation along the Yperlee +Canal remained practically unchanged.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Line +pierced at +Broodseinde.</div> + +<p>When the morning of the 26th dawned the +Germans, who had been seen massing in St.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +Julien, and to the east of the village on the +previous evening, made several assaults, which +grew more and more fierce as the hours passed, +but reinforcements were sent up and the position +was secured. Further east, however, our +line was pierced near Broodseinde, and a small +body of the enemy established themselves in a +portion of our trenches. In the afternoon a +strong, combined counter-attack was delivered +by the French and British along the whole +front from Steenstraate to the east of St. +Julien, accompanied by a violent bombardment. +This moment, so far as can be judged +at present, marked the turning point of the +battle, for, although it effected no great change +in the situation, it caused a definite check to +the enemy's offensive, relieved the pressure, and +gained a certain amount of ground.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attack +near St. +Julien.</div> + +<p>During this counter-attack the guns concentrated +by both sides on this comparatively +narrow front poured in a great volume of fire. +From the right came the roar of the British +batteries, from the left the rolling thunder of +the <i>soixante-quinze</i>, and every now and then +above the turmoil rose a dull boom as a huge +howitzer shell burst in the vicinity of Ypres. +On the right our infantry stormed the German +trenches close to St. Julien, and in the evening +gained the southern outskirts of the village. +In the centre they captured the trenches a +little to the south of the Bois des Cuisinirs, +west of St. Julien, and still further west more +trenches were taken. This represented an advance +of some 600 or 700 yards, but the gain +in ground could not at all points be maintained. +Opposite St. Julien we fell back from the +village to a position just south of the place, +and in front of the Bois des Cuisinirs and on +the left of the line a similar retirement took +place, the enemy making extensive use of his +gas cylinders and of machine guns placed in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +farms or at other points of vantage. None the +less, the situation at nightfall was more satisfactory +than it had been. We were holding our +own well all along the line and had made progress +at some points. On the right the enemy's +attacks on the front of the Grafenstafel Ridge +had all been repulsed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +lines.</div> + +<p>In the meantime the French had achieved +some success, having retaken Lizerne and also +the trenches round Het Sast, captured some +250 prisoners, and made progress all along the +west bank of the canal. Heavy as our losses +were during the day, there is little doubt that +the enemy suffered terribly. Both sides were +attacking at different points, the fighting was +conducted very largely in the open, and the +close formations of the Germans on several occasions +presented excellent targets to our artillery, +which did not fail to seize its opportunities.</p> + +<p>Nothing in particular occurred during the +night.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The new +battle +lines.</div> + +<p>The morning of the 27th found our troops +occupying the following positions; North of +Zonnebeke the right of the line still held the +eastern end of the Grafenstafel Ridge, but from +here it bent southwestward behind the Haanebeek +stream, which it followed to a point about +half a mile east of St. Julien. Thence it curved +back again to the Vamheule Farm, on the +Ypres-Poelcappelle road, running from here in +a slight southerly curve to a point a little west +of the Ypres-Langemarck road, where it joined +the French. In the last mentioned quarter of +the field it followed generally the line of a low +ridge running from west to east. On the +French front the Germans had been cleared +from the west bank of the canal, except at one +point, Steenstraate, where they continued to +hold the bridgehead.</p> + +<p>About 1 P. M. a counter-attack was made by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +us all along the line between the canal and the +Ypres-Poelcappelle road, and for about an hour +we continued to make progress. Then the right +and centre were checked. A little later the left +was also held up, and the situation remained +very much as it had been on the previous day. +The Germans were doubtless much encouraged +by their initial success, and their previous boldness +in attack was now matched by the stubborn +manner in which they clung on to their +positions. In the evening the French stormed +some trenches east of the canal, but were again +checked by the enemy's gas cylinders.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +exhaustion.</div> + +<p>The night passed quietly, and was spent by +us in reorganizing and consolidating our positions. +The enemy did not interfere. This is +not surprising, in view of the fact that by +Tuesday evening they had been fighting for +over five days. Their state of exhaustion is confirmed +by the statements of the prisoners captured +by the French, who also reported that +the German losses had been very heavy.</p> + +<p>On Wednesday, the 28th, there was a complete +lull on this sector of our line, and the +shelling was less severe. Some fighting, however, +occurred along the canal, the French +taking over 100 prisoners.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Air +battles.</div> + +<p>Nothing of any importance has occurred on +other parts of the front. On the 27th at the +Railway Triangle opposite Guinchy, the south +side of the embankment held by the Germans +was blown up by our miners. On the 28th a +hostile aeroplane was forced to descend by our +anti-aircraft guns. On coming down in rear of +the German lines, it was at once fired upon and +destroyed by our field artillery. Another +hostile machine was brought down by rifle fire +near Zonnebeke.</p> + +<p>Splendid work has been done during the past +few days by our airmen, who have kept all the +area behind the hostile lines under close observation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +On the 26th they bombed the stations +of Staden, Thielt, Courtrai, Roubaix, and +other places, and located an armored train near +Langemarck, which was subsequently shelled +and forced to retire. There have been several +successful conflicts in the air, on one occasion a +pilot in a single seater chasing a German machine +to Roulers, and forcing it to land.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Raid on +Courtrai</div> + +<p>The raid on Courtrai unfortunately cost the +nation a very gallant life, but it will live as one +of the most heroic episodes of the war. The +airman started on the enterprise alone in a +biplane. On arrival at Courtrai he glided down +to a height of 300 feet and dropped a large +bomb on the railway junction. While he did this +he was the target of hundreds of rifles, of machine +guns, and of anti-aircraft armament, and +was severely wounded in the thigh. Though he +might have saved his life by at once coming +down in the enemy's lines, he decided to save +his machine at all costs, and made for the British +lines. Descending to a height of only 100 +feet in order to increase his speed, he continued +to fly and was again wounded, this time +mortally. He still flew on, however, and without +coming down at the nearest of our aerodromes +went all the way back to his own base, +where he executed a perfect landing and made +his report. He died in hospital not long afterward.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Steadiness +of the +Canadians.</div> + +<p>The outstanding feature of the action of the +past week has been the steadiness of our troops +on the extreme left; but of the deeds of individual +gallantry and devotion which have +been performed it would be impossible to narrate +one-hundredth part. At one place in this +quarter a machine gun was stationed in the +angle of a trench when the German rush took +place. One man after another of the detachment +was shot, but the gun still continued in +action, through five bodies lay around it. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +the sixth man took the place of his fallen comrades, +of whom one was his brother, the Germans +were still pressing on. He waited until +they were only a few yards away, and then +poured a stream of bullets on to the advancing +ranks, which broke and fell back, leaving +rows of dead. He was then wounded himself.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Telephone +wires cut.</div> + +<p>Under the hot fire to which our batteries +were subjected in the early part of the engagement +telephone wires were repeatedly cut. The +wire connecting one battery with its observing +officer was severed on nine separate occasions, +and on each occasion repaired by a Sergeant, +who did the work out in the open under a perfect +hail of shells.</p> + +<p>About 5 P. M. a dense cloud of suffocating +vapors was launched from their trenches along +the whole front held by the French right and +by our left from the Ypres-Langemarck road to +a considerable distance east of St. Julien. The +fumes did not carry much beyond our front +trenches. But these were to a great extent +rendered untenable, and a retirement from +them was ordered.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Strange +appearance +of +gas battle.</div> + +<p>No sooner had this started than the enemy +opened a violent bombardment with asphyxiating +shells and shrapnel on our trenches and on +our infantry as they were withdrawing. Meanwhile +our guns had not been idle. From a distance, +perhaps owing to some peculiarity of the +light, the gas on this occasion looked like a +great reddish cloud, and the moment it was seen +our batteries poured a concentrated fire on the +German trenches.</p> + +<p>Curious situations then arose between us and +the enemy. The poison belt, the upper part +shredding into thick wreaths of vapor as +it was shaken by the wind, and the lower +and denser part sinking into all inequalities +of the ground, rolled slowly down the trenches.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +Shells would rend it for a moment, but it only +settled down again as thickly as before.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the German infantry faced it, +and they faced a hail of shrapnel as well. In +some cases where the gas had not reached our +lines our troops held firm and shot through +the cloud at the advancing Germans. In other +cases the men holding the front line managed +to move to the flank, where they were more or +less beyond the affected area. Here they waited +until the enemy came on and then bayoneted +them when they reached our trenches.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A charge +through +the gas.</div> + +<p>On the extreme left our supports waited +until the vapor reached our trenches, when +they charged through it and met the advancing +Germans with the bayonet as they swarmed +over the parapets.</p> + +<p>South of St. Julien the denseness of the +vapor compelled us to evacuate trenches, but +reinforcements arrived who charged the enemy +before they could establish themselves in position. +In every case the assaults failed completely. +Large numbers were mown down by +our artillery. Men were seen falling and others +scattering and running back to their own lines. +Many who reached the gas cloud could not +make their way through it, and in all probability +a great number of the wounded perished +from the fumes.</p> + +<p>It is to that extent, from a military standpoint, +a sign of weakness. Another sign of +weakness is the adoption of illegal methods of +fighting, such as spreading poisonous gas. It +is a confession by the Germans that they have +lost their former great superiority in artillery +and are, at any cost, seeking another technical +advantage over their enemy as a substitute.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +enemy +sticks at +nothing.</div> + +<p>Nevertheless, this spirit, this determination +on the part of our enemies to stick at nothing +must not be underestimated. Though it may +not pay the Germans in the long run, it renders<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +it all the more obvious that they are a foe that +can be overcome only by the force of overwhelming +numbers of men and guns.</p> + +<p>Further to the east a similar attack was +made about 7 P. M. which seems to have been +attended with even less success, and the assaulting +infantry was at once beaten back by our artillery +fire.</p> + +<p>It was not long before all our trenches were +reoccupied and the whole line reestablished in +its original position. The attack on the French +met with the same result.</p> + +<p>Prisoners captured in the recent fighting, the +narrative continues, stated that one German +corps lost 80 per cent. of its men in the first +week; that the losses from our artillery fire, +even during days when no attacks were taking +place, had been very heavy and that many of +their own men had suffered from the effects of +the gas.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +gains due +to poison +gas.</div> + +<p>In regard to the recent fighting on our left, +the German offensive, effected in the first instance +by surprise, resulted in a considerable +gain of ground for the enemy. Between all +the earlier German efforts, the only difference +was that on this latest occasion the attempt +was carried out with the aid of poisonous gases.</p> + +<p>There is no reason why we should not expect +similar tactics in the future. They do +not mean that the Allies have lost the initiative +in the Western theatre, nor that they are likely +to lose it. They do mean, however, and the fact +has been repeatedly pointed out, that the +enemy's defensive is an active one, that his confidence +is still unshaken and that he still is +able to strike in some strength where he sees +the chance or where mere local advantage can +be secured.</p> + +<p>The true idea of the meaning of the operations +of the Allies can be gained only by bearing +in mind that it is their primary object to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +bring about the exhaustion of the enemy's resources +in men.</p> + +<p>In the form now assumed by this struggle—a +war of attrition—the Germans are bound +ultimately to lose, and it is the consciousness +of this fact that inspires their present policy. +This is to achieve as early as possible some +success of sufficient magnitude to influence the +neutrals, to discourage the Allies, to make them +weary of the struggle and to induce the belief +among the people ignorant of war that nothing +has been gained by the past efforts of the Allies +because the Germans have not yet been driven +back. It is being undertaken with a political +rather than a strategical object.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Violent +artillery +fire.</div> + +<p>The calm that prevailed Thursday and Friday +proved to be only the lull before the storm. +Early Saturday morning it became apparent +that the Germans were preparing an attack in +strength against our line running east and +northeast from Ypres, for they were concentrating +under cover of a violent artillery fire, +and at about 10 o'clock the battle began in +earnest.</p> + +<p>At that hour the Germans attacked our line +from the Ypres-Poelcappelle road to within a +short distance of the Menin highroad, it being +evidently their intention while engaging us +closely on the whole of this sector to break our +front in the vicinity of the Ypres-Roulers Railway, +to the north and to the south of which +their strongest and most determined assaults +were delivered.</p> + +<p>Under this pressure our front was penetrated +at some points around Frezenberg, and at 4:30 +o'clock in the afternoon we made a counter-attack +between the Zonnebeke road and the railway +in order to recover the lost ground. Our +offensive was conducted most gallantly, but +was checked before long by the fire of machine +guns.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +attacks +near +Menin +road.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, the enemy launched another attack +through the woods south of the Menin +road, and at the same time threatened our left +to the north of Ypres with fresh masses. Most +desperate fighting ensued, the German infantry +coming on again and again and gradually forcing +our troops back, though only for a short +distance, in spite of repeated counter-attacks.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">On the +Poelcappelle +road.</div> + +<p>During the night the fighting continued to +rage with ever-increasing fury. It is impossible +to say at exactly what hour our line was broken +at different points, but it is certain that at one +time the enemy's infantry poured through +along the Poelcappelle road, and even got as +far as Wieltje at 9 P. M.</p> + +<p>There was also a considerable gap in our +front about Frezenberg, where hostile detachments +had penetrated. At both points counter-attacks +were organized without delay. To the +east of the salient the Germans first were driven +back to Frezenberg, but there they made a firm +stand, and under pressure of fresh reinforcements +we fell back again toward Verlorenhoek.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Canadian +counter-attack.</div> + +<p>Northeast of the salient a counter-attack carried +out by us about 1 A. M. was more successful. +Our troops swept the enemy out of Wieltje +at the bayonet's point, leaving the village +strewn with German dead and, pushing on, regained +most of the ground to the north of that +point. And so the fight surged to and fro +throughout the night. All around the scene of +the conflict the sky was lit up by the flashes of +the guns and the light of blazing villages and +farms, while against this background of smoke +and flame, looking out in the murky light over +the crumbling ruins of the old town, rose the +battered wreck of the cathedral town and the +spires of Cloth Hall.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +assaults +on the +east.</div> + +<p>When Sunday dawned there came a short respite, +and the firing for a time died down. The +comparative lull enabled us to reorganize and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +consolidate our position on the new line we had +taken up and to obtain some rest after the +fatigue and strain of the night. It did not +last long, however, and in the afternoon the +climax of the battle was reached, for, under the +cover of intense artillery fire, the Germans +launched no less than five separate assaults +against the east of the salient.</p> + +<p>To the north and northeast their attacks were +not at first pressed so hard as on the south of +the Menin road, where the fighting was especially +fierce. In the latter direction masses of +infantry were hurled on with absolute desperation +and were beaten off with corresponding +slaughter.</p> + +<p>At one point, north of the town, 500 of the +enemy advanced from the wood, and it is affirmed +by those present that not a single man +of them escaped.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +losses at +Château +Hooge.</div> + +<p>On the eastern face, at 6:30 P. M., an endeavor +was made to storm the grounds of the +Château Hooge, a little north of the Menin +road, but the force attempting it broke and fell +back under the hail of shrapnel poured upon +them by our guns. It was on this side, where +they had to face the concentrated fire of guns, +Maxims and rifles again and again in their efforts +to break their way through, that the Germans +incurred their heaviest losses, and the +ground was literally heaped with dead.</p> + +<p>They evidently, for the time being at least, +were unable to renew their efforts, and as night +came on the fury of their offensive gradually +slackened, the hours of darkness passing in +quietness.</p> + +<p>During the day our troops saw some of the +enemy busily employed in stripping the British +dead in our abandoned trenches, east of the +Hooge Château, and several Germans afterward +were noticed dressed in khaki.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A successful +day.</div> + +<p>So far as the Ypres region is concerned, this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +for us was a most successful day. Our line, +which on the northeast of the salient had, after +the previous day's fighting, been reconstituted +a short distance behind the original front, remained +intact. Our losses were comparatively +slight, and, owing to the targets presented by +the enemy, the action resolved itself on our +part into pure killing.</p> + +<p>The reason for this very determined effort to +crush our left on the part of the Germans is +not far to seek. It is probable that for some +days previously they had been in possession of +information which led them to suppose that +we intended to apply pressure on the right of +our line, and that their great attack upon Ypres +on the 7th, 8th, and 9th was undertaken with +a view to diverting us from our purpose.</p> + +<p>In this the Germans were true to their principles, +for they rightly hold that the best manner +of meeting an expected hostile offensive is +to forestall it by attacking in some other +quarter. In this instance their leaders acted +with the utmost determination and energy and +their soldiers fought with the greatest courage.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +enemy +held in +check.</div> + +<p>The failure of their effort was due to the +splendid endurance of our troops, who held the +line around the salient under a fire which again +and again blotted out whole lengths of the +defenses and killed the defenders by scores. +Time after time along those parts of the front +selected for assault were parapets destroyed, +and time after time did the thinning band of +survivors build them up again and await the +next onset as steadily as before.</p> + +<p>Here, in May, in defense of the same historic +town, have our incomparable infantry repeated +the great deeds their comrades performed half +a year ago and beaten back most desperate onslaughts +of hostile hordes backed by terrific artillery +support.</p> + +<p>The services rendered by our troops in this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +quarter cannot at present be estimated, for +their full significance will only be realized in +the light of future events. But so far their +devotion has indirectly contributed in no small +measure to the striking success already +achieved by our allies.</p> + +<p>Further south, in the meantime, on Sunday +another struggle had been in progress on that +portion of the front covered by the right of +our line and the left of the French, for when +the firing around Ypres was temporarily subsiding +during the early hours of the morning +another and even more tremendous cannonade +was suddenly started by the artillery of the +Allies some twenty miles to the south.</p> + +<p>The morning was calm, bright, and clear, and +opposite our right, as the sun rose, the scene in +front of our line was the most peaceful imaginable. +Away to the right were Guinchy, with +its brickfields and the ruins of Givenchy. To +the north of them lay low ground, where, hidden +by trees and hedgerows, ran the opposing +lines that were about to become the scene of the +conflict, and beyond, in the distance, rose the +long ridge of Aubers, the villages crowning it +standing out clear cut against the sky.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bombardment +of +Guinchy.</div> + +<p>At 5 o'clock the bombardment began, slowly +at first and then growing in volume until the +whole air quivered with the rush of the larger +shells and the earth shook with the concussion +of guns. In a few minutes the whole distant +landscape disappeared in smoke and dust, +which hung for a while in the still air and +then drifted slowly across the line of battle.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +battle +near +Festubert.</div> + +<p>Shortly before 6 o'clock our infantry advanced +along our front between the Bois +Grenier and Festubert. On the left, north of +Fromelles, we stormed the German first line +trenches. Hand-to-hand fighting went on for +some time with bayonet, rifle, and hand grenade, +but we continued to hold on to this position<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +throughout the day and caused the enemy +very heavy loss, for not only were many Germans +killed in the bombardment, but their repeated +efforts to drive us from the captured +positions proved most costly.</p> + +<p>On the right, to the north of Festubert, our +advance met with considerable opposition and +was not pressed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A French +victory.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, the French, after a prolonged +bombardment, had taken the German positions +north of Arras on a front of nearly five miles, +and had pushed forward from two to three +miles, capturing 2,000 prisoners and six guns. +This remarkable success was gained by our +allies in the course of a few hours.</p> + +<p>As may be supposed from the nature of the +fighting which has been in progress, our losses +have been heavy. On other parts of the front our +action was confined to that of the artillery, but +this proved most effective later, all the communications +of the enemy being subjected to +so heavy and accurate a fire that in some +quarters all movement by daylight within +range of our lines was rendered impracticable. +At one place opposite our centre a convoy of +ammunition was hit by a shell, which knocked +out six motor lorries and caused two to blow up. +Opposite our centre we fired two mines, which +did considerable damage to the enemy's defenses.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Air +fighting.</div> + +<p>During the day also our aeroplanes attacked +several points of importance. One of our airmen, +who was sent to bomb the canal bridge +near Don, was wounded on his way there, but +continued and fulfilled his mission. Near +Wytschaete, one of our aviators pursued a German +aeroplane and fired a whole belt from his +machine gun at it. The Taube suddenly +swerved, righted itself for a second, and then +descended from a height of several thousand +feet straight to the ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the other hand, a British machine unfortunately +was brought down over Lille by the +enemy's anti-aircraft guns, but it is hoped that +the aviator escaped.</p> + +<p><i>In regard to the German allegation, that the +British used gas in their attacks on Hill 60, +the Eyewitness says:</i></p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +had not +used gas.</div> + +<p>No <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'asphxiating'">asphyxiating</ins> gases have been employed by +us at any time, nor have they yet been brought +into play by us.</p> + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Germany, desperate at her failure to win the +rapid victories she had anticipated on the land, +resorted, in 1915, to a ruthless policy of sinking +the ships of the belligerent powers, whether or +not they were engaged on legitimate errands. +This policy culminated on May 7, 1915, in the +sinking of the great transatlantic steamship +the <i>Lusitania</i>, with the loss of over a thousand +men, women, and children.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> +<h2>SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA</h2> + +<h3>THE JUDICIAL DECISION BY +JUDGE J. M. MAYER</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Lusitania</i> +sails.</div> + +<p>On May 1, 1915, the British passenger-carrying +merchantman <i>Lusitania</i> sailed +from New York bound for Liverpool, +with 1,257 passengers and a crew of 702, making +a total of 1,959 souls on board, men, women, +and children. At approximately 2:10 on +the afternoon of May 7, 1915, weather clear +and sea smooth, without warning, the vessel +was torpedoed and went down by the head in +about eighteen minutes, with an ultimate tragic +loss of 1,195.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Passengers and +equipment.</div> + +<p>So far as equipment went, the vessel was +seaworthy in the highest sense. Her carrying +capacity was 2,198 passengers and a crew of +about 850, or about 3,000 persons in all. She had +22 open lifeboats capable of accommodating 1,322 +persons, 26 collapsible boats with a capacity +for 1,283, making a total of 48 boats with a +capacity for 2,605 in all, or substantially in +excess of the requirements of her last voyage. +Her total of life belts was 3,187, or 1,959 more +than the total number of passengers, and, in addition, +she carried 20 life buoys. She was +classed 100 A1 at Lloyd's being 787 feet long +over all, with a tonnage of 30,395 gross and 12,611 +net. She had 4 turbine engines, 25 boilers, +4 boiler rooms, 12 transverse bulkheads, dividing +her into 13 compartments, with a longitudinal +bulkhead on either side of the ship for +425 feet, covering all vital parts.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Lusitania</i> +unarmed.</div> + +<p>The proof is absolute that she was not and +never had been armed nor did she carry any explosives.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +She did carry some 18 fuse cases and +125 shrapnel cases, consisting merely of empty +shells without any powder charge, 4,200 cases +of safety cartridges, and 189 cases of infantry +equipment, such as leather fittings, pouches, +and the like. All these were for delivery +abroad, but none of these munitions could be +exploded by setting them on fire in mass or in +bulk, nor by subjecting them to impact. She +had been duly inspected on March 17, April +15, 16, and 17, all in 1915, and before she left +New York the boat gear and boats were examined, +overhauled, checked up, and defective +articles properly replaced.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The drills +sufficient.</div> + +<p>There is no reason to doubt that this part of +her equipment was in excellent order when she +left New York. The vessel was under the command +of a long service and experienced Captain +and officered by competent and experienced +men. The difficulties of the war prevented the +company from gathering together a crew fully +reaching a standard as high as in normal times, +(many of the younger British sailors having +been called to the colors,) but, all told, the crew +was good and, in many instances, highly intelligent +and capable. Due precaution was taken +in respect of boat drills while in port, and the +testimony shows that those drills were both +sufficient and efficient. Some passengers did +not see any boat drills on the voyage, while +others characterized the drills, in effect, as +formally superficial. Any one familiar with +ocean traveling knows that it is not strange +that boat drills may take place unobserved by +some of the passengers who, though on deck, +may be otherwise occupied or who may be in +another part of the ship, and such negative +testimony must give way to the positive testimony +that there were daily boat drills, the object +of which mainly was to enable the men +competently and quickly to lower the boats.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Emergency +precautions.</div> + +<p>Each man had a badge showing the number +of the boat to which he was assigned, and a +boat list was posted in three different places in +the ship. Each day of the voyage a drill was +held with the emergency boat, which was a fixed +boat, either No. 13 on the starboard side or No. +14 on the port side, according to the weather, +the idea, doubtless, being to accustom the men +quickly to reach the station on either side of +the ship. The siren was blown and a picked +crew from the watch assembled at the boat, put +on life belts, jumped into the boat, took their +places, and jumped out again.</p> + +<p>Throughout this case it must always be +remembered that the disaster occurred in May, +1915, and the whole subject must be approached +with the knowledge and mental attitude of that +time. It may be that more elaborate and effective +methods and precaution have been +adopted since then, but there is no testimony +which shows that these boat drills, as practiced +on the voyage, were not fully up to the then +existing standards and practices. There can +be no criticism of the bulkhead door drills, for +there was one each day.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Speed +reduced.</div> + +<p>In November, 1914, the Directors of the +Cunard Company, in view of the falling off of +the passenger traffic, decided to withdraw the +<i>Lusitania's</i> sister ship, <i>Mauretania</i>, and to run +the <i>Lusitania</i> at three-fourths boiler power, +which involved a reduction of speed from an +average of about twenty-four knots to an average +of about twenty-one knots. The ship was +operated under this reduced boiler power and +reduced rate of speed for six round trips until +and including the fatal voyage, although at the +reduced rate she was considerably faster than +any passenger ship crossing the Atlantic at +that time. This reduction was in part for financial +reasons and in part "a question of economy +of coal and labor in time of war." No<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +profit was expected and none was made, but the +company continued to operate the ship as a public +service. The reduction from twenty-four +to twenty-one knots is, however, quite immaterial +to the controversy, as will later appear.</p> + +<p>Having thus outlined the personnel, equipment, +and cargo of the vessel, reference will +now be made to a series of events preceding her +sailing on May 1, 1915.</p> + +<p>On February 4, 1915, the Imperial German +Government issued a proclamation as follows:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +German +proclamation.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"1. The waters surrounding Great Britain +and Ireland, including the whole English Channel, +are hereby declared to be war zone. On and +after the 18th of February, 1915, every enemy +merchant ship found in the said war zone will +be destroyed without its being always possible +to avert the dangers threatening the crews and +passengers on that account.</p> + +<p>"2. Even neutral ships are exposed to danger +in the war zone, as in view of the misuse of +neutral flags ordered on January 31 by the +British Government and of the accidents of +naval war, it cannot always be <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'advoided'">avoided</ins> to +strike even neutral ships in attacks that are +directed at enemy ships.</p> + +<p>"3. Northward navigation around the Shetland +Islands, in the eastern waters of the North +Sea and in a strip of not less than thirty miles +width along the Netherlands coast is in no +danger.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 4em;">"<span class="smcap">Von Pohl</span>,</span><br /> +"Chief of the Admiral Staff of the Navy.<br /></div> +"Berlin, February 4, 1915."<br /> +</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Submarine +blockade +declared.</div> + +<p>This was accompanied by a so-called memorial, +setting forth the reasons advanced by +the German Government in support of the issuance +of this proclamation, an extract from +which is as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Just as England declared the whole North +Sea between Scotland and Norway to be comprised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +within the seat of war, so does Germany +now declare the waters surrounding Great +Britain and Ireland, including the whole English +Channel, to be comprised within the seat +of war, and will prevent by all the military +means at its disposal all navigation by the +enemy in those waters. To this end it will endeavor +to destroy, after February 18 next, any +merchant vessels of the enemy which present +themselves at the seat of war above indicated, +although it may not always be possible to avert +the dangers which may menace persons and +merchandise. Neutral powers are accordingly +forewarned not to intrust their crews, passengers, +or merchandise to such vessels."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">Protests +sent by +the United +States.</div> + +<p>To this proclamation and memorial the +Government of the United States made due protest +under date of February 10, 1915. On the +same day protest was made to England by this +Government regarding the use of the American +flag by the <i>Lusitania</i> on its voyage through the +war zone on its trip from New York to Liverpool +of January 30, 1915, in response to which, +on February 19, Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of +State for Foreign Affairs, handed a memorandum +to Mr. Page, the American Ambassador to +England, containing the following statement:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +reply to +American +protest.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is understood that the German Government +had announced their intention of sinking +British merchant vessels at sight by torpedoes +without giving any opportunity of making any +provisions for saving the lives of noncombatant +crews and passengers. It was in consequence +of this threat that the <i>Lusitania</i> raised the +United States flag on her inward voyage and +on her subsequent outward voyage. A request +was made by the United States passengers who +were embarking on board her that the United +States flag should be hoisted, presumably to insure +their safety."</p></div> + +<p>The British Ambassador, the Hon. Cecil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +Spring-Rice, on March 1, 1915, in a communication +to the American Secretary of State regarding +an economic blockade of Germany, stated +in reference to the German proclamation of +February 4:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +statement +on the +submarine +blockade.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Germany has declared that the English +Channel, the north and west coasts of France, +and the waters around the British Isles are a +war area and has officially notified that all +enemy ships found in that area will be destroyed, +and that neutral vessels may be exposed +to danger. This is in effect a claim to +torpedo at sight, without regard to the safety +of the crew or passengers, any merchant vessel +under any flag. As it is not in the power of +the German Admiralty to maintain any surface +craft in these waters, this attack can only be +delivered by submarine agency."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">Submarines +sink +merchant +ships.</div> + +<p>Beginning with the 30th of January, 1915, +and prior to the sinking of the <i>Lusitania</i> on +May 7, 1915, German submarines attacked and +seemed to have sunk twenty merchant and +passenger ships within about 100 miles of the +usual course of the <i>Lusitania</i>, chased two other +vessels which escaped, and damaged still another.</p> + +<p>It will be noted that nothing is stated in the +German memorandum as to sinking enemy +merchant vessels without warning, but, on the +contrary, the implication is that settled international +law as to visit and search and an opportunity +for the lives of passengers to be safeguarded +will be obeyed, "although it may not +always be possible to avert the dangers which +may menace persons and merchandise."</p> + +<p>As a result of this submarine activity, the +<i>Lusitania</i> on its voyages from New York to +Liverpool, beginning with that of January 30, +1915, steered a course further off from the south +coast of Ireland than formerly.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Precautions in +danger +zone.</div> + +<p>In addition, after the German proclamation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +of February 4, 1915, the <i>Lusitania</i> had its boats +swung out and provisioned while passing +through the danger zone, did not use its wireless +for sending messages, and did not stop at +the Mersey Bar for a pilot, but came directly +up to its berth.</p> + +<p>The petitioner and the master of the <i>Lusitania</i> +received certain advices from the British +Admiralty on February 10, 1915, as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Vessels navigating in submarine areas +should have their boats turned out and fully +provisioned. The danger is greatest in the vicinity +of ports and off prominent headlands on the +coast. Important landfalls in this area should +be made after dark whenever possible. So far as +is consistent with particular trades and state of +tides, vessels should make their ports at dawn."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">Advices +from the +British +Admiralty.</div> + +<p>On April 15 and 16, 1915, and after the last +voyage from New York, preceding the one on +which the <i>Lusitania</i> was torpedoed, the Cunard +Company and the master of the <i>Lusitania</i> received +at Liverpool the following advices from +the British Admiralty:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Confidential Daily Voyage Notice 15th +April, 1915, issued under Government War +Risks Scheme.</p> + +<p>"German submarines appear to be operating +chiefly off prominent headlands and landfalls. +Ships should give prominent headlands a wide +berth.</p> + +<p>"Confidential memorandum issued 16th +April, 1915:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Fast +steamers +follow a +zigzag +course.</div> + +<p>"War experience has shown that fast steamers +can considerably reduce the chance of successful +surprise submarine attacks by zigzagging—that +is to say, altering the course at +short and irregular intervals, say in ten minutes +to half an hour. This course is almost invariably +adopted by warships when cruising in +an area known to be infested by submarines. +The underwater speed of a submarine is very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +slow and it is exceedingly difficult for her to get +into position to deliver an attack unless she can +observe and predict the course of the ship +attacked."</p></div> + +<p>Sir Alfred Booth, Chairman of the Cunard +Line, was a member of the War Risks Committee +at Liverpool, consisting of ship owners, +representatives of the Board of Trade and the +Admiralty, which received these instructions +and passed them on to the owners of vessels, +including the Cunard Company, which distributed +them to the individual masters.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Advertisement +in +the New +York +papers.</div> + +<p>On Saturday, May 1, 1915, the advertised +sailing date of the <i>Lusitania</i> from New York +to Liverpool on the voyage on which she was +subsequently sunk, there appeared the following +advertisement in the New York "Times," +New York "Tribune," New York "Sun," New +York "Herald," and the New York "World," +this advertisement being in all instances except +one placed directly over, under, or adjacent to +the advertisement of the Cunard Line, regarding +the sailing of the <i>Lusitania:</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic +voyage are reminded that a state of war +exists between Germany and her allies and +Great Britain and her allies. That the zone +of war includes the waters adjacent to the British +Isles. That in accordance with formal notice +given by the Imperial German Government, +vessels flying the flag of Great Britain or of +any of her allies are liable to destruction in +those waters, and that travelers sailing in the +war zone on ships of Great Britain or her +allies do so at their own risk."</p> + +<div class='sig'> +"<span class="smcap">Imperial German Embassy</span>,<br /> +"April 22, 1915. Washington, D. C."<br /> +</div></div> + +<p>This was the first insertion of this advertisement, +although it was dated more than a week +prior to its publication. Captain Turner, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +master of the vessel, saw the advertisement or +"something of the kind" before sailing, and +realized that the <i>Lusitania</i> was included in the +warning. The Liverpool office of the Cunard +Company was advised of the sailing and the +number of passengers by cable from the New +York office, but no mention was made of the +above quoted advertisement. Sir Alfred Booth +was informed through the press of this advertisement +on either Saturday evening, May 1, +or Sunday morning, May 2.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>Lusitania</i> +justified +in sailing.</div> + +<p>The significance and construction to be given +to this advertisement will be discussed infra, +but it is perfectly plain that the master was +fully justified in sailing on the appointed day +from a neutral port with many neutral and +non-combatant passengers, unless he and his +company were willing to yield to the attempt +of the German Government to terrify British +shipping. No one familiar with the British +character would expect that such a threat +would accomplish more than to emphasize the +necessity of taking every precaution to protect +life and property which the exercise of judgment +would invite.</p> + +<p>And so, as scheduled, the <i>Lusitania</i> sailed, +undisguised, with her four funnels and a figure +so familiar as to be readily discernible not only +by naval officers and marines, but by the ocean-going +public generally.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">In the +submarine +war zone.</div> + +<p>The voyage was uneventful until May 6. On +approaching the Irish coast on May 6 the Captain +ordered all the boats hanging on the davits +to be swung out and lowered to the promenade +deckrail, and this order was carried out under +the supervision of Staff Captain Anderson, who +later went down with the ship. All bulkhead +doors which were not necessary for the working +of the ship were closed, and it was reported +to Captain Turner that this had been done. +Lookouts were doubled, and two extra were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +put forward and one on either side of the +bridge; that is, there were two lookouts in the +crow's-nest, two in the eyes of the ship, two +officers on the bridge, and a quartermaster on +either side of the bridge.</p> + +<p>Directions were given to the engine room to +keep the highest steam they could possibly get +on the boilers, and in case the bridge rang for +full speed, to give as much as they possibly +could. Orders were also given that ports +should be kept closed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Wireless +messages +from the +Admiralty.</div> + +<p>At 7:50 P. M., on May 6, the <i>Lusitania</i> received +the following wireless message from the +Admiral at Queenstown: "Submarines active +off south coast of Ireland," and at 7:56 the +vessel asked for and received a repetition of +his message. The ship was then going at a +rate of 21 knots per hour.</p> + +<p>At 8:30 P. M. of the same day the following +message was received from the British Admiralty:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"To All British Ships 0005:</p> + +<p>"Take Liverpool pilot at bar and avoid headlands. +Pass harbors at full speed; steer midchannel +course. Submarines off Fastnet."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">The <i>Lusitania's</i> +speed +reduced.</div> + +<p>At 8:32 the Admiralty received a communication +to show that this message had been received +by the <i>Lusitania</i>, and the same message +was offered to the vessel seven times between +midnight of May 6 and 10 A. M. of May 7.</p> + +<p>At about 8 A. M. on the morning of May 7, +on approaching the Irish coast, the vessel encountered +an intermittent fog, or Scotch mist, +called "banks" in seafaring language, and the +speed was reduced to 15 knots. Previously the +speed, according to Captain Turner's recollection, +had been reduced to 18 knots. This adjustment +of speed was due to the fact that Captain +Turner wished to run the last 150 miles +of the voyage in the dark, so as to make Liverpool +early on the morning of May 8, at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +earliest time when he could cross the bar without +a pilot.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Approaching +the +most +dangerous +waters.</div> + +<p>Judging from the location of previous submarine +attacks, the most dangerous waters in +the <i>Lusitania's</i> course were from the entrance +to St. George's Channel to Liverpool Bar. +There is no dispute as to the proposition that +a vessel darkened is much safer from submarine +attack at night than in the daytime, and Captain +Turner exercised proper and good judgment +in planning accordingly as he approached +dangerous waters. It is futile to conjecture as +to what would or would not have happened had +the speed been higher prior to the approach to +the Irish coast, because, obviously, until then +the Captain could not figure out his situation, +not knowing how he might be impeded by fog +or other unfavorable weather conditions.</p> + +<p>On the morning of May 7, 1915, the ship +passed about twenty-five or twenty-six, and, in +any event, at least eighteen and a half miles +south of Fastnet, which was not in sight. The +course was then held up slightly to bring the +ship closer to land, and a little before noon +land was sighted, and what was thought to be +Brow Head was made out.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, between 11 A. M. and noon, the +fog disappeared, the weather became clear, and +the speed was increased to 18 knots. The +course of the vessel was S. 87 E. Mag. At +11:25 A. M. Captain Turner received the +following message:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Submarines active in southern part of Irish +Channel, last heard of twenty miles south of +Coningbeg. Light vessel make certain '<i>Lusitania</i>' +gets this."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">Submarines +reported +by wireless.</div> + +<p>At 12:40 P. M. the following additional wireless +message from the Admiralty was received:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Submarines five miles south of Cape Clear, +proceeding west when sighted at 10 A. M."</p></div> + +<p>After picking up Brow Head and at about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +12:40 P. M., the course was altered in shore +by about 30 degrees, to about N. 63 or 67 E. +Mag., Captain Turner did not recall which. +Land was sighted which the Captain thought +was Galley Head, but he was not sure, and +therefore held in shore. This last course was +continued for an hour at a speed of 18 knots +until 1:40 P. M., when the Old Head of Kinsale +was sighted and the course was then changed +back to the original course of S. 87 E. Mag.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Lusitania</i> +torpedoed.</div> + +<p>At 1:50 P. M. the Captain started to take a +four-point bearing on the Old Head of Kinsale, +and while thus engaged and at about 2:30 +P. M., as heretofore stated, the ship was torpedoed +on the starboard side. Whether one, two, +or three torpedoes were fired at the vessel cannot +be determined with certainty. Two of the +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'ships's'">ship's</ins> crew were confident that a third torpedo +was fired and missed the ship. While not +doubting the good faith of these witnesses, the +evidence is not sufficiently satisfactory to be +convincing.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Conflicting +testimony.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Probably +two +torpedoes.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">No explosives +on board.</div> + +<p>There was, however, an interesting and remarkable +conflict of testimony as to whether +the ship was struck by one or two torpedoes, +and witnesses, both passengers and crew, differed +on this point, conscientiously and emphatically. +The witnesses were all highly intelligent, +and there is no doubt that all testified to +the best of their recollection, knowledge, or impression, +and in accordance with their honest +conviction. The weight of the testimony (too +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'volminous'">voluminous</ins> to analyze) is in favor of the "two +torpedo" contention, not only because of some +convincing direct testimony, (as, for instance, +Adams, Lehman, Morton,) but also because of +the unquestioned surrounding circumstances. +The deliberate character of the attack upon a +vessel whose identity could not be mistaken, +made easy on a bright day, and the fact that +the vessel had no means of defending herself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +would lead to the inference that the submarine +commander would make sure of her destruction. +Further, the evidence is overwhelming +that there was a second explosion. The +witnesses differ as to the impression which +the sound of this explosion made upon them—a +natural difference due to the fact, known +by common experience, that persons who hear +the same explosion even at the same time +will not only describe the sound differently, but +will not agree as to the number of detonations. +As there were no explosives on board, it is difficult +to account for the second explosion, except +on the theory that it was caused by a second +torpedo. Whether the number of torpedoes was +one or two is relevant, in this case, only upon +the question of what effect, if any, open ports +had in accelerating the sinking of the ship.</p> + +<p>While there was much testimony and some +variance as to the places where the torpedoes +struck, judged by the sound or shock of the explosions, +certain physical effects, especially as +to smoke and blown-up débris, tend to locate +the areas of impact with some approach of +accuracy.</p> + +<p>From all the testimony it may be reasonably +concluded that one torpedo struck on the starboard +side somewhere abreast of No. 2 boiler +room and the other, on the same side, either +abreast of No. 3 boiler room or between No. 3 +and No. 4. From knowledge of the torpedoes +then used by the German submarines, it is +thought that they would effect a rupture of the +outer hull thirty to forty feet long and ten to +fifteen feet vertically.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Flooding +of boiler +rooms +and +coal bunkers.</div> + +<p>Cockburn, senior Second Engineer, was of +opinion that the explosion had done a great +deal of internal damage. Although the lights +were out, Cockburn could hear the water coming +into the engine room. Water at once entered +No. 1 and No. 2 boiler rooms, a result<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +necessarily attributable to the fact that one or +both of the coal bunkers were also blown open. +Thus, one torpedo flooded some or all of the +coal bunkers on the starboard side of Nos. 1 +and 2 boiler rooms, and apparently flooded both +boiler rooms.</p> + +<p>The effect of the other torpedo is not entirely +clear. If it struck midway between two bulkheads, +it is quite likely to have done serious +bulkhead injury. The <i>Lusitania</i> was built so +as to float with two compartments open to the +sea, and with more compartments open she +could not stay afloat. As the side coal bunkers +are regarded as compartments, the ship could +not float with two boiler rooms flooded and also +an adjacent bunker, and, therefore, the damage +done by one torpedo was enough to sink the +ship.</p> + +<p>To add to the difficulties, all the steam had +gone as the result of the explosions, and the +ship could not be controlled by her engines.</p> + +<p>Little, senior Third Engineer, testified that +in a few seconds after the explosion the steam +pressure fell from 190 to 50 pounds, his explanation +being that the main steam pipes or boilers +had been carried away.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Engines +disabled.</div> + +<p>The loss of control of and by the engines resulted +in disability to stop the engines, with the +result that the ship kept her headway until she +sank. That the ship commenced to list to starboard +immediately is abundantly established by +many witnesses.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The ship's +behavior +in going +down.</div> + +<p>Some of the witnesses, (Lauriat and Adams, +passengers; Duncan, Bestic, and Johnson, officers,) +testified that the ship stopped listing +to starboard and started to recover and then +listed again to starboard until she went over.</p> + +<p>This action, which is quite likely, must have +resulted from the inrush of water on the port +side. There can be no other adequate explanation +consistent with elementary scientific<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +knowledge; for, if the ship temporarily righted +herself, it must have been because the weight +of water on the two sides was equal or nearly +so. The entry of water into the port side must, +of course, have been due to some rupture on +that side. Such a result was entirely possible, +and, indeed, probable.</p> + +<p>The explosive force was sufficiently powerful +to blow débris far above the radio wires—i. e., +more than 160 feet above the water. The boiler +rooms were not over sixty feet wide, and so +strong a force could readily have weakened the +longitudinal bulkheads on the port side in addition +to such injury as flying metal may have +done. It is easy to understand, therefore, how +the whole pressure of the water rushing in from +the starboard side against the weakened longitudinal +bulkheads on the port side would cause +them to give way and thus open up some +apertures on the port side for the entry of +water. Later, when the water continued to +rush in on the starboard side, the list to starboard +naturally again occurred, increased and +continued to the end. As might be expected, +the degree of list to starboard is variously described, +but there is no doubt that it was steep +and substantial.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Ports had +all been +ordered +closed.</div> + +<p>A considerable amount of testimony was +taken upon the contention of claimants that +many of the ship's ports were open, thus reducing +her buoyancy and substantially hastening +her sinking. There is no doubt that on +May 6 adequate orders were given to close all +ports. The testimony is conclusive that the +ports on Deck F (the majority of which were +dummy ports) were closed. Very few, if any, +ports on E deck were open, and, if so, they were +starboard ports in a small section of the first +class in the vicinity where one of the torpedoes +did its damage. A very limited number +of passengers testified that the portholes in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +their staterooms were open, and if their +impressions are correct, these portholes, concerning +which they testified, were all, or nearly +all, so far above the water that they could not +have influenced the situation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sinking +not affected +by open +ports.</div> + +<p>There was conflicting testimony as to the +ports in the dining room on D deck. The weight +of the testimony justifies the conclusion that +some of these ports were open—how many it is +impossible to determine. These ports, however, +were from twenty-three to thirty feet above +water, and when the gap made by the explosion +and the consequent severe and sudden list are +considered, it is plain that these open ports +were not a contributing cause of the sinking, +and had a very trifling influence, if any, in accelerating +the time within which the ship sank.</p> + +<p>From the foregoing the situation can be visualized. +Two sudden and extraordinary explosions, +the ship badly listed so that the port side +was well up in the air, the passengers scattered +about on the decks and in the staterooms, +saloons and companion ways, the ship under +headway and, as it turned out, only eighteen +minutes afloat—such was the situation which +confronted the officers, crew, and passengers +in the endeavor to save the lives of those on +board.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Calm +heroism +of the +passengers.</div> + +<p>The conduct of the passengers constitutes an +enduring record of calm heroism with many individual +instances of sacrifice and, in general, +a marked consideration for women and children. +There was no panic, but naturally, there +was a considerable amount of excitement and +rush and much confusion, and, as the increasing +list rendered ineffective the lowering of the +boats on the port side, the passengers, as is +readily understandable, crowded over on the +starboard side.</p> + +<p>The problem presented to the officers of the +ship was one of exceeding difficulty, occasioned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> +largely because of the serious list and the impossibility +of stopping the ship or reducing her +headway.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Lookouts +sighted +the +torpedo.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Boats +ordered +lowered.</div> + + +<p>The precaution of extra lookouts resulted in +a prompt report to the Captain, via the bridge, +of the sighting of the torpedo. Second Officer +Heppert, who was on the bridge, immediately +closed all watertight doors worked from the +bridge, and the testimony satisfactorily shows +that all watertight doors worked by hand were +promptly closed. Immediately after Captain +Turner saw the wake of the torpedo there was +an explosion and then Turner went to the navigation +bridge and took the obvious course, i. e., +had the ship's head turned to the land. He +signaled the engine room for full speed astern, +hoping thereby to take the way off the ship, +and then ordered the boats lowered down to the +rail and directed that women and children +should be first provided for in the boats. As +the engine room failed to respond to the order +to go full speed astern, and as the ship was continuing +under way, Turner ordered that the +boats should not be lowered until the vessel +should lose her headway, and he told Anderson, +the Staff Captain, who was in charge of the +port boats, to lower the boats when he thought +the way was sufficiently off to allow that operation. +Anderson's fidelity to duty is sufficiently +exemplified by the fact that he went down with +the ship.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +officers +display +courage +and skill.</div> + +<p>Jones, First Officer, and Lewis, Acting Third +Officer, were in charge of the boats on the starboard +side and personally superintended their +handling and launching. Too much cannot be +said both for their courage and skill, but, difficult +as was their task, they were not confronted +with some of the problems which the port side +presented. There, in addition to Anderson, +were Bestic, Junior Third Officer, and another +officer, presumably the Second Officer. These<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +men were apparently doing the best they could +and standing valiantly to their duty. Anderson's +fate has already been mentioned, and +Bestic, although surviving, stuck to his post +until the ship went down under him. The +situation can readily be pictured even by a +novice.</p> + +<p>With the ship listed to starboard, the port +boats, of course, swung inboard. If enough +man power were applied, the boats could be +put over the rail, but then a real danger would +follow. Robertson, the ship's carpenter, aptly +described that danger in answer to a question +as to whether it was possible to lower the open +boats on the port side. He said:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Port boats +could +not be +lowered.</div> + +<p>"No. To lower the port boats would just be +like drawing a crate of unpacked china along +a dock road. What I mean is that if you +started to lower the boats you would be dragging +them down the rough side of the ship on +rivets which are what we call "snap-headed +rivets"—they stand up about an inch from the +side of the ship, so you would be dragging the +whole side of the boat away if you tried to +lower the boats with a 15-degree list."</p> + +<p>That some boats were and others would have +been seriously damaged is evidenced by the +fact that two port boats were lowered to the +water and got away, (though one afterward +filled,) and not one boat reached Queenstown.</p> + +<p>Each boat has its own history, (except possibly +Boats 2 and 4,) although it is naturally +difficult, in each case, to allocate all the testimony +to a particular boat.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Accidents +in lowering.</div> + +<p>There is some testimony, given in undoubted +good faith, that painted or rusted davits stuck +out, but the weight of the testimony is to the +contrary. There were some lamentable occurrences +on the port side, which resulted in +spilling passengers, some of whom thus thrown +out or injured went to their death. These unfortunate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> +accidents, however, were due either +to lack of strength of the seaman who was +lowering, or possibly, at worst, to an occasional +instance of incompetency due to the personal +equation so often illustrated, where one man +of many may not be equal to the emergency. +But the problem was of the most vexatious +character. In addition to the crowding of +passengers in some instances was this extremely +hazardous feat of lowering boats swung +inboard from a tilted height, heavily weighted +by human beings, with the ship still under way. +It cannot be said that it was negligent to attempt +this, because, obviously, all the passengers +could not be accommodated in the starboard +boats.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Six boats +get away +from starboard.</div> + +<p>On the starboard side, the problem, in some +respects, was not so difficult, while, in others, +troublesome conditions existed quite different +from those occurring on the port side. Here +the boats swung so far out as to add to the +difficulty of passengers getting in them, a difficulty +intensified by the fact that many more +passengers went to the starboard side than to +the port side and, also that the ship maintained +her way. Six boats successfully got away. In +the case of the remaining boats, some were successfully +lowered but later met with some unavoidable +accident, and some were not successfully +launched (such as Nos. 1, 5, and 17) for +entirely explainable reasons which should not +be charged to inefficiency on the part of the +officers or crew.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Collapsible +boats +cut loose.</div> + +<p>The collapsible boats were on the deck under +the open lifeboats, and were intended to be +lifted and lowered by the same davits which +lowered the open boats after the open boats +had gotten clear of the ship. It was the duty +of the officers to get the open boats away before +giving attention to the collapsible boats, and +that was a question of time. These boats are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +designed and arranged to float free if the ship +should sink before they can be hoisted over. +They were cut loose and some people were saved +on these boats.</p> + +<p>It is to be expected that those passengers +who lost members of their family or friends, +and who saw some of the unfortunate accidents, +should feel strongly and entertain the +impression that inefficiency or individual negligence +was widespread among the crew. Such +an impression, however, does an inadvertent +injustice to the great majority of the crew, who +acted with that matter-in-fact courage and +fidelity to duty which are traditional with men +of the sea. Such of these men, presumably +fairly typical of all, as testified in this court, +were impressive not only because of inherent +bravery, but because of intelligence and clear-headedness, +and they possessed that remarkable +gift of simplicity so characteristic of truly +fearless men who cannot quite understand why +an ado is made of acts which seem to them +merely the day's work.</p> + +<p>Mr. Grab, one of the claimants and an experienced +transatlantic traveler, concisely +summed up the situation when he said:</p> + +<p>"They were doing the best they could—they +were very brave and working as hard as they +could without any fear. They didn't care about +themselves. It was very admirably done. +While there was great confusion, they did the +best they could."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Captain +Turner's +comment +on the +crew.</div> + +<p>It will unduly prolong a necessarily extended +opinion to sift the voluminous testimony relating +to this subject of the boats and the conduct +of the crew and something is sought to +be made of comments of Captain Turner, construed +by some to be unfavorable but afterward +satisfactorily supplemented and explained, +but if there were some instances of +incompetency they were very few and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +charge of negligence in this regard cannot be +successfully maintained.</p> + +<p>In arriving at this conclusion, I have not +overlooked the argument earnestly pressed that +the men were not sufficiently instructed and +drilled; for I think the testimony establishes +the contrary in the light of conditions in May, +1915.</p> + +<p>I now come to what seems to be the only +debatable question of fact in the case, i. e., +whether Captain Turner was negligent in not +literally following the Admiralty advices and, +also, in not taking a course different from that +which he adopted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Captain's +judgment +free.</div> + +<p>The fundamental principle in navigating a +merchantman, whether in times of peace or of +war, is that the commanding officer must be +left free to exercise his own judgment. Safe +navigation denies the proposition that the +judgment and sound discretion of the Captain +of a vessel must be confined in a mental straitjacket. +Of course, when movements are under +military control, orders must be strictly obeyed, +come what may. No such situation, however, +was presented either to the Cunard Steamship +Co. or Captain Turner. The vessel was not +engaged in military service nor under naval +convoy. True, she was, as between the German +and British Governments, an enemy ship as +to Germany, but she was unarmed and a +carrier of not merely noncombatants, but, +among others, of many citizens of the United +States, then a neutral country, at peace with +all the world.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Admiralty +advices +considered.</div> + +<p>In such circumstances the Captain could not +shield himself automatically against error behind +a literal compliance with the general advices +or instructions of the Admiralty, nor can +it be supposed that the Admiralty, any more +than the Cunard Steamship Co., expected him +so to do. What was required of him was that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> +he should seriously consider and, as far as +practicable, follow the Admiralty advices and +use his best judgment as events and exigencies +occurred; and if a situation arose where he +believed that a course should be pursued to +meet emergencies which required departure +from some of the Admiralty advices as to general +rules of action, then it was his duty to take +such course, if in accordance with his carefully +formed deliberate judgment. After a +disaster has occurred, it is not difficult for the +expert to show how it might have been avoided, +and there is always opportunity for academic +discussion as to what ought or ought not to +have been done; but the true approach is to +endeavor, for the moment, to possess the mind +of him upon whom rested the responsibility.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +obligations in +care of +merchant ships.</div> + +<p>Let us now see what that responsibility was +and how it was dealt with. The rules of naval +warfare allowed the capture and, in some circumstances, +the destruction of an enemy merchant +ship, but, at the same time, it was the +accepted doctrine of all civilized nations (as +will be more fully considered infra) that, as +Lord Mersey put it, "there is always an obligation +first to secure the safety of the lives of +those on board."</p> + +<p>The responsibility, therefore, of Captain +Turner, in his task of bringing the ship safely +to port, was to give heed not only to general +advices advanced as the outcome of experience +in the then developing knowledge as to submarine +warfare, but particularly to any special +information which might come to him in the +course of the voyage.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Advices +of the +Admiralty.</div> + +<p>Realizing that if there was a due warning, +in accordance with international law, and an +opportunity, within a limited time, for the +passengers to leave the ship, nevertheless that +the operation must be quickly done, Captain +Turner, on May 6, had taken the full precautions,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> +such as swinging out the boats, properly +provisioned, which have been heretofore described. +The principal features of the Admiralty +advices were (1) to give the headlands +a wide berth; (2) to steer a midchannel course; +(3) to maintain as high a speed as practicable; +(4) to zigzag, and (5) to make ports, if +possible, at dawn, thus running the last part +of the voyage at night.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Fastnet +given +a wide +berth.</div> + +<p>The reason for the advice as to keeping off +headlands was that the submarines lurked near +those prominent headlands and landfalls to +and from which ships were likely to go. This +instruction Captain Turner entirely followed +in respect of Fastnet, which was the first point +on the Irish coast which a vessel bound from +New York to Liverpool would ordinarily +approach closely, and, in normal times, the +passing would be very near, or even inside of +Fastnet. The <i>Lusitania</i> passed Fastnet so far +out that Captain Turner could not see it. +Whether the distance was about twenty-five +miles, as the Cunard Steamship Co. contends, +or about eighteen and one-half miles, as the +claimants calculate, the result is that either +distance must be regarded as a wide berth, in +comparison with the customary navigation at +that point, and, besides, nothing happened +there. At 8:30 P. M. on May 6 the message had +been received from the British Admiralty that +submarines were off Fastnet, so that Captain +Turner, in this regard, not only followed the +general advices, but the specific information +from the Admiralty.</p> + +<p>At 11:25 A. M. on May 7 Captain Turner received +the wireless from the Admiralty plainly +intended for the <i>Lusitania</i>, informing him that +submarines (plural) were active in the southern +part of the Irish Channel and when last +heard of were twenty miles south of Coningbeg +Light Vessel. This wireless message presented<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> +acutely to the Captain the problem as to the +best course to pursue, always bearing in mind +his determination and the desirability of getting +to the Liverpool Bar when it could be +crossed while the tide served and without a +pilot. Further, as was stated by Sir Alfred +Booth, "The one definite instruction we did +give him with regard to that was to authorize +him to come up without a pilot." The reasons +for this instruction were cogent and were +concisely summed up by Sir Alfred Booth during +his examination as a witness as follows:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Mersey +sandbar.</div> + +<p>"It was one of the points that we felt it necessary +to make the Captain of the <i>Lusitania</i> understand +the importance of. The <i>Lusitania</i> can +only cross the Liverpool Bar at certain states +of the tide, and we therefore warned the +Captain, or whoever might be Captain, that we +did not think it would be safe for him to arrive +off the bar at such a time that he would have +to wait there, because that area had been +infested with submarines, and we thought +therefore it would be wiser for him to arrange his +arrival in such a way, leaving him an absolutely +free hand as to how he would do it, that he +could come straight up without stopping at +all. The one definite instruction we did give +him with regard to that was to authorize him +to come up without a pilot."</p> + +<p>The tide would be high at Liverpool Bar at +6:53 on Saturday morning, May 8. Captain +Turner planned to cross the bar as much earlier +than that as he could get over without stopping, +while at the same time figuring on passing during +the darkness the dangerous waters from +the entrance of St. George's Channel to the +Liverpool Bar.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Captain +decides +to work +inshore.</div> + +<p>Having thus in mind his objective, and the +time approximately when he intended to reach +it, the message received at 11:25 A. M. required +that he should determine whether to keep off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +land approximately the same distance as he +was when he passed Fastnet, or to work inshore +and go close to Coningbeg Lightship. He +determined that the latter was the better plan +to avoid the submarines reported in midchannel +ahead of him.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Taking a +bearing.</div> + +<p>When Galley Head was sighted the course +was changed so as to haul closer to the land, +and this course was pursued until 1:40 P. M., +at which time Captain Turner concluded that +it was necessary for him to get his bearings +accurately. This he decided should be done by +taking a four-point bearing, during which procedure +the ship was torpedoed. It is urged +that he should have taken a two-point bearing +or a cross bearing, which would have occupied +less time, but if, under all the conditions which +appealed to his judgment as a mariner, he had +taken a different method of ascertaining his +exact distance and the result would have been +inaccurate, or while engaged in taking a two-point +bearing the ship had been torpedoed, +then somebody would have said he should have +taken a four-point bearing. The point of the +matter is that an experienced Captain took +the bearing he thought proper for his purposes, +and to predicate negligence upon such a course +is to assert that a Captain is bound to guess +the exact location of a hidden and puzzling +danger.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Testimony +about the +ship's +speed.</div> + +<p>Much emphasis has been placed upon the fact +that the speed of the ship was eighteen knots +at the time of the attack instead of twenty-four, +or, in any event, twenty-one knots, and upon +the further fact (for such it is) that the ship +was not zigzagging as frequently as the Admiralty +advised or in the sense of that advice.</p> + +<p>Upon this branch of the case much testimony +was taken, (some in camera, as in the +Wreck Commissioners' Court,) and, for reasons +of public interest, the methods of successfully<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +evading submarines will not be discussed. If +it be assumed that the Admiralty advices as of +May, 1915, were sound and should have been +followed, then the answer to the charge of +negligence is twofold: (1) that Captain Turner, +in taking a four-point bearing off the Old Head +of Kinsale, was conscientiously exercising his +judgment for the welfare of the ship, and (2) +that it is impossible to determine whether, by +zigzagging off the Old Head of Kinsale or elsewhere, +the <i>Lusitania</i> would have escaped the +German submarine or submarines.</p> + +<p>As to the first answer I cannot better express +my conclusion <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'that'">than</ins> in the language of +Lord Mersey:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Lord +Mersey's +opinion.</div> + +<p>"Captain Turner was fully advised as to the +means which in the view of the Admiralty were +best calculated to avert the perils he was likely +to encounter, and in considering the question +whether he is to blame for the catastrophe in +which his voyage ended I have to bear this +circumstance in mind. It is certain that in +some respects Captain Turner did not follow +the advice given to him. It may be (though +I seriously doubt it) that had he done so his +ship would have reached Liverpool in safety. +But the question remains: Was his conduct +the conduct of a negligent or of an incompetent +man? On this question I have sought the +guidance of my assessors, who have rendered +me invaluable assistance, and the conclusion +at which I have arrived is that blame ought not +to be imputed to the Captain. The advice given +to him, although meant for his most serious +and careful consideration, was not intended to +deprive him of the right to exercise his skilled +judgment in the difficult questions that might +arise from time to time in the navigation of +his ship. His omission to follow the advice in +all respects cannot fairly be attributed either +to negligence or incompetence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Skilled +and experienced +judgment.</div> + +<p>"He exercised his judgment for the best. It +was the judgment of a skilled and experienced +man, and although others might have acted +differently, and, perhaps, more successfully, he +ought not, in my opinion, to be blamed."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">More +than one +submarine +in wait.</div> + +<p>As to the second answer, it is only necessary +to outline the situation in order to realize +how speculative is the assertion of fault. It +is plain from the radio messages of the Admiralty, +(May 6, 7:50 P. M., "Submarines active +off south coast of Ireland"; May 6, 8:30 P. M., +"Submarines off Fastnet"; the 11:25 message +of May 7, supra; May 7, 11:40 A. M., +"Submarines five miles south of Cape Clear, +proceeding west when sighted at 10 A. M.,") that +more than one submarine was lying in wait +for the <i>Lusitania</i>.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Submarines +bold with +unarmed +vessels.</div> + +<p>A scientific education is not necessary to +appreciate that it is much more difficult for a +submarine successfully to hit a naval vessel +than an unarmed merchant ship. The destination +of a naval vessel is usually not known, +that of the <i>Lusitania</i> was. A submarine commander, +when attacking an armed vessel, knows +that he, as the attacker, may and likely will +also be attacked by his armed opponent. The +<i>Lusitania</i> was as helpless in that regard as a +peaceful citizen suddenly set upon by murderous +assailants. There are other advantages of +the naval vessel over the merchant ship which +need not be referred to.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Probably +two submarines.</div> + +<p>It must be assumed that the German submarine +commanders realized the obvious disadvantages +which necessarily attached to the +<i>Lusitania</i>, and, if she had evaded one submarine, +who can say what might have happened +five minutes later? If there was, in fact, a +third torpedo fired at the <i>Lusitania's</i> port +side, then that incident would strongly suggest +that, in the immediate vicinity of the ship, +there were at least two submarines.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span></p> + +<p>It must be remembered also that the <i>Lusitania</i> +was still in the open sea, considerably +distant from the places of theretofore submarine +activity and comfortably well off the Old +Head of Kinsale, from which point it was about +140 miles to the Scilly Islands, and that she +was nearly 100 miles from the entrance to St. +George's Channel, the first channel she would +enter on her way to Liverpool.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attack +intended +to destroy +life.</div> + +<p>No transatlantic passenger liner, and certainly +none carrying American citizens, had +been torpedoed up to that time. The submarines, +therefore, could lay their plans with +facility to destroy the vessel somewhere on the +way from Fastnet to Liverpool, knowing full +well the easy prey which would be afforded by +an unarmed, unconvoyed, well-known merchantman, +which from every standpoint of international +law had the right to expect a warning +before its peaceful passengers were sent to their +death. That the attack was deliberate and long +contemplated and intended ruthlessly to destroy +human life, as well as property, can no +longer be open to doubt. And when a foe employs +such tactics it is idle and purely speculative +to say that the action of the Captain of +a merchant ship, in doing or not doing something +or in taking one course and not another, +was a contributing cause of disaster or that had +the Captain not done what he did or had he +done something else, then that the ship and +her passengers would have evaded their assassins.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Captain +and company +not +negligent.</div> + +<p>I find, therefore, as a fact, that the Captain +and, hence, the Cunard Company were not +negligent.</p> + +<p>The importance of the cause, however, justifies +the statement of another ground which effectually +disposes of any question of liability.</p> + +<p>It is an elementary principle of law that +even if a person is negligent recovery cannot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> +be had unless the negligence is the proximate +cause of the loss or damage.</p> + +<p>There is another rule, settled by ample authority, +viz.: that, even if negligence is shown, +it cannot be the proximate cause of the loss +or damage if an independent illegal act or a +third party intervenes to cause the loss.</p> + +<p>The question, then, is whether the act of the +German submarine commander was an illegal act.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">International +law.</div> + +<p>The United States courts recognize the binding +force of international law.</p> + +<p>At least since as early as June 5, 1793, in +the letter of Mr. Jefferson, Secretary of State, +to the French Minister, our Government has +recognized the law of nations as an "integral +part" of the laws of the land.</p> + +<p>To ascertain international law, "resort must +be had to the customs and usages of civilized +nations; and, as evidence of these, to the works +of commentators and jurists. * * * Such +works are resorted to by judicial tribunals +* * * for trustworthy evidence of what the +law really is."</p> + +<p>Let us first see the position of our Government, +and then ascertain whether that position +has authoritative support. Mr. Lansing, in his +official communication to the German Government +dated June 9, 1915, stated:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mr. Lansing's +communication.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Responsibility +of the +German +Government.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">A principle +of humanity.</div> + +<p>"But the sinking of passenger ships involves +principles of humanity which throw into the +background any special circumstances of detail +that may be thought to affect the cases, +principles which lift it, as the Imperial German +Government will no doubt be quick to +recognize and acknowledge, out of the class of +ordinary subjects of diplomatic discussion or +of international controversy. Whatever be the +other facts regarding the <i>Lusitania</i>, the principal +fact is that a great steamer, primarily +and chiefly a conveyance for passengers, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +carrying more than a thousand souls who had +no part or lot in the conduct of the war, was torpedoed +and sunk without so much as a challenge +or a warning, and that men, women, and +children were sent to their death in circumstances +unparalleled in modern warfare. The +fact that more than one hundred American +citizens were among those who perished made +it the duty of the Government of the United +States to speak of these things and once more +with solemn emphasis to call the attention of +the Imperial German Government to the grave +responsibility which the Government of the +United States conceives that it has incurred +in this tragic occurrence, and to the indisputable +principle upon which that responsibility +rests. The Government of the United States is +contending for something much greater than +mere rights of property or privileges of commerce. +It is contending for nothing less high +and sacred than the rights of humanity, which +every Government honors itself in respecting +and which no Government is justified in resigning +on behalf of those under its care and +authority. Only her actual resistance to capture +or refusal to stop when ordered to do so +for the purpose of visit could have afforded +the commander of the submarine any justification +for so much as putting the lives of +those on board the ship in jeopardy. This +principle the Government of the United States +understands the explicit instructions issued on +August 3, 1914, by the Imperial German Admiralty +to its commanders at sea to have +recognized and embodied as do the naval codes +of all other nations, and upon it every traveler +and seaman had a right to depend. It is upon +this principle of humanity, as well as upon +the law founded upon this principle, that the +United States must stand. * * *</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Americans +must be +safeguarded.</div> + +<p>"The Government of the United States cannot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> +admit that the proclamation of a war zone +from which neutral ships have been warned to +keep away may be made to operate as in any +degree an abbreviation of the rights either of +American shipmasters or of American citizens +bound on lawful errands as passengers on merchant +ships of belligerent nationality. It does +not understand the Imperial German Government +to question those rights. It understands +it, also, to accept as established beyond question +the principle that the lives of non-combatants +cannot lawfully or rightfully be put in +jeopardy by the capture or destruction of an +unresisting merchantman, and to recognize the +obligation to take sufficient precaution to ascertain +whether a suspected merchantman is +in fact of belligerent nationality or is in fact +carrying contraband of war under a neutral +flag. The Government of the United States +therefore deems it reasonable to expect that +the Imperial German Government will adopt +the measures necessary to put these principles +into practice in respect of the safeguarding of +American lives and American ships, and asks +for assurances that this will be done. (See +White Book of Department of State entitled +'Diplomatic Correspondence with Belligerent +Governments Relating to Neutral Rights and +Duties, European War, No. 2,' at p. 172. +Printed and distributed October 21, 1915.)"</p> + +<p>The German Government found itself compelled +ultimately to recognize the principles insisted +upon by the Government of the United +States, for, after considerable correspondence, +and on May 4, 1916, (after the <i>Sussex</i> +had been sunk,) the German Government stated:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Sussex</i> +agreement.</div> + +<p>"The German submarine forces have had in +fact, orders to conduct <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'submarines'">submarine</ins> warfare in +accordance with the general principles of visit +and search and destruction of merchant vessels<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +as recognized by international law, the sole +exception being the conduct of warfare against +the enemy trade carried on enemy freight ships +that are encountered in the war zone surrounding +Great Britain. * * *</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Merchant +ships +not to +be sunk +without +warning.</div> + +<p>"The German Government, guided by this +idea, notifies the Government of the United +States that the German naval forces have received +the following orders: In accordance with +the general principles of visit and search and +destruction of merchant vessels recognized by +international law, such vessels, both within and +without the area declared as naval war zone, +shall not be sunk without warning and without +saving human lives, unless these ships attempt +to escape or offer resistance. See Official Communication +by German Foreign Office to Ambassador +Gerard, May 4, 1916. (White Book +No. 3 of Department of State, pp. 302, 305.)"</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Right to +make a +prize.</div> + +<p>There is, of course, no doubt as to the right +to make prize of an enemy ship on the high +seas, and, under certain conditions, to destroy +her, and equally no doubt of the obligation to +safeguard the lives of all persons aboard, +whether passengers or crew.</p> + +<p>Two quotations from a long list of authorities +may be given for convenience, one stating +the rule and the other the attitude which obtains +among civilized Governments. Oppenheim +sets forth as among violations of the rules +of war:</p> + +<p>"(12) Attack on enemy merchantmen without +previous request to submit to visit."</p> + +<p>The observation in Vattel's "Law of Nations" +is peculiarly applicable to the case of the +<i>Lusitania:</i></p> + +<p>"Let us never forget that our enemies are men. +Though reduced to the disagreeable necessity of +prosecuting our right by force of arms, let us +not divest ourselves of that charity which connects +us with all mankind. Thus shall we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +courageously defend our country's rights without +violating those of human nature. Let our +valor preserve itself from every stain of cruelty +and the lustre of victory will not be tarnished +by inhuman and brutal actions."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Codes and +rules of +nations.</div> + +<p>In addition to these authorities are the regulations +and practices of various Governments. +In 1512 Henry VIII. issued instructions to the +Admiral of the Fleet which accord with our +understanding of modern international law. +Such has been England's course since.</p> + +<p>Substantially the same rules were followed +in the Russian and Japanese regulations, and +probably in the codes or rules of many other +nations.</p> + +<p>The rules recognized and practiced by the +United States, among other things, provide:</p> + +<p>"(10) In the case of an enemy merchantman +it may be sunk, but only if it is impossible to +take it into port, and provided always that the +persons on board are put in a place of safety. +(U. S. White Book, European War, No. 3, p. +192.)"</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Humane +principles +in +American +wars.</div> + +<p>These humane principles were practiced both +in the war of 1812 and during our own war of +1861-65. Even with all the bitterness (now +happily ended and forgotten) and all the difficulties +of having no port to which to send a +prize, Captain Semmes of the <i>Alabama</i> strictly +observed the rule as to human life, even going +so far as to release ships because he could not +care for the passengers. But we are not confined +to American and English precedents and +practices.</p> + +<p>While acting contrary to its official statements, +yet the Imperial German Government +recognized the same rule as the United States, +and prior to the sinking of the <i>Lusitania</i> had +not announced any other rule. The war zone +proclamation of February 4, 1915, contained no +warning that the accepted rule of civilized naval<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +warfare would be discarded by the German +Government.</p> + +<p>Indeed, after the <i>Lusitania</i> was sunk, the +German Government did not make any such +claim, but in answer to the first American note +in reference to the <i>Lusitania</i> the German Foreign +Office, per von Jagow, addressed to Ambassador +Gerard a note dated May 18, 1915, in +which, inter alia, it is stated in connection with +the sinking of the British steamer <i>Falaba:</i></p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +<i>Falaba</i> +case.</div> + +<p>"In the case of the sinking of the English +steamer <i>Falaba</i>, the commander of the German +submarine had the intention of allowing passengers +and crew ample opportunity to save +themselves. It was not until the Captain disregarded +the order to lay to and took to flight, +sending up rocket signals for help, that the +German commander ordered the crew and passengers +by signals and megaphone to leave the +ship within ten minutes. As a matter of fact, +he allowed them twenty-three minutes, and did +not fire the torpedo until suspicious steamers +were hurrying to the aid of the <i>Falaba</i>. (White +Book <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'N.'">No.</ins> 2, U. S. Department of State, p. 169.)"</p> + +<p>Indeed, as late as May 4, 1916, Germany did +not dispute the applicability of the rule, as is +evidenced by the note written to our Government +by von Jagow of the German Foreign +Office, an extract of which has been quoted +supra.</p> + +<p>Further, Section 116 of the German Prize +Code, (Huberich and Kind translation, p. 68,) +in force at the date of the <i>Lusitania's</i> destruction, +conformed with the American rule. It +provided:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Safety of +passengers +necessary.</div> + +<p>"Before proceeding to a destruction of the +vessel the safety of all persons on board, and, +so far as possible, their effects, is to be provided +for, and all ship's papers and other evidentiary +material which, according to the views +of the persons at interest, is of value for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> +formulation of the judgment of the prize court, +are to be taken over by the commander."</p> + +<p>Thus, when the <i>Lusitania</i> sailed from New +York, her owner and master were justified in +believing that, whatever else and theretofore +happened, this simple, humane and universally +accepted principle would not be violated. Few, +at that time, would be likely to construe the +warning advertisement as calling attention to +more than the perils to be expected from quick +disembarkation and the possible rigors of the +sea after the proper safeguarding of the lives +of passengers by at least full opportunity to +take to the boats.</p> + +<p>It is, of course, easy now in the light of many +later events, added to preceding acts, to look +back and say that the Cunard Line and its Captain +should have known that the German +Government would authorize or permit so +shocking a breach of international law and so +foul an offense, not only against an enemy, but +as well against peaceful citizens of a then +friendly nation.</p> + +<p>But the unexpected character of the act was +best evidenced by the horror which it excited +in the minds and hearts of the American people.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Fault +with the +Imperial +German +Government.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Those who +plotted +the crime.</div> + +<p>The fault, therefore, must be laid upon those +who are responsible for the sinking of the vessel, +in the legal as well as moral sense. It is, +therefore, not the Cunard Line, petitioner, +which must be held liable for the loss of life +and property. The cause of the sinking of the +<i>Lusitania</i> was the illegal act of the Imperial +German Government, acting through its instrument, +the submarine commander, and violating +a cherished and humane rule observed, until +this war, by even the bitterest antagonists. As +Lord Mersey said, "The whole blame for the +cruel destruction of life in this catastrophe +must rest solely with those who plotted and +with those who committed the crime."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Italy, bound at the outbreak of the war to +Germany and Austria by a treaty which formed +the so-called Triple Alliance, was in a most +difficult position. Her people, however, were +strongly convinced of the aggressive intentions +of Germany, and, after careful consideration, +the Government and the people alike decided +to cast their lot with the Allies. Active operations +were at once begun along the border between +Italy and Austria, and in this difficult +terrain the events which are described in the +following chapter occurred.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>MOUNTAIN WARFARE</h2> + +<h3>HOWARD C. FELTON</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">New style +of warfare.</div> + +<p>At the outbreak of the great war huge and +well-equipped bodies of men, led by +highly trained officers, rich in the strategic +lore of centuries, set out to demonstrate +the value of the theories that they had learned +in time of peace. In a few months an entirely +new style of warfare developed, and most of +the military learning of the past was interesting +chiefly because of its antiquity.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Italy and +Austria +fight in +the Alps.</div> + +<p>After the tremendous conflict at the Marne +and the German rush for Calais, which was +halted on the line of the Yser, there were on +the western front no more battles in the old +sense of the word. From the North Sea to the +Swiss frontier, the fighting was just a novel +and gigantic form of siege warfare. Cavalry +became an obsolete arm. Battle tactics, in the +old sense, ceased to have any meaning. Of +strategy nothing much remained save the dictionary +definition.</p> + +<p>And now, since Italy and Austria have locked +horns above the clouds, among the glaciers +and snow-faced slopes of the Alps, even the old +text-books on mountain warfare have lost their +significance. In the Trentino and along the +Isonzo we see the consummation of a new style +of mountain fighting, which grew out of the +old methods in the struggle for the Carpathian +passes during the first winter and spring of +the war.</p> + + +<p>In the old days, during a campaign in a +mountain region, most of the battles were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> +fought on the level—in the literal, not the colloquial +sense of the word. There was a deal of +marching and scouting among crags and precipices, +but all with the object of obtaining the +best position in an open valley or upland plain +where the real fighting must take place. Now +the smooth floors of the valleys are comparatively +deserted, while whole armies are spread +out over great peaks and dizzy snow-fields thousands +of feet above sea-level, chopping trenches +in the ice and sparring for some vantage-point +on <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word not present in original">a</ins> crag that in peace times might tax the +strength and skill of the amateur mountain-climber.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bourcet's +"Principles +of +Mountain +Warfare."</div> + +<p>Some time between 1764 and 1770, Pierre de +Bourcet wrote a treatise entitled "The Principles +of Mountain Warfare." This may seem +to be going a long way back, but Bourcet's +volume and that of the young Comte de Guilbert +on general tactics have historical interest +and importance because, according to Spenser +Wilkinson, they show where some of Napoleon's +strategic "miracles" were born. Bourcet's +observations are as vital as if they had been +written in 1910, but, as will be seen, many of +them are somewhat musty in 1916.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Passes +and defiles +once the +strong +positions.</div> + +<p>Bourcet, without the slightest idea of a +battle-line extending from frontier to sea, lays +down as the first principle of mountain warfare +that when the enemy holds a strong position, +the assailant should force him to leave it +by turning it. These strong positions in the +mountains were, until this war, the passes and +defiles.</p> + +<p>"These contracted places," he explains, "as +they generally constitute the principal objects +of the defense, must compel the general who +is taking the offensive to seek every possible +means of turning them, or of misleading the +enemy by diversions which will weaken him +and facilitate access to them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Suppose, for example, that the general on +the defensive should be entrenched at all points +surrounding his position in such a way as to +be able to resist any direct attack that might +be attempted against him, it would be necessary +to attempt to turn him by some more +distant point, choosing positions that would +facilitate the scheme, and which, by suggesting +some different object, could not raise the suspicion +that the troops there collected were +destined for the purpose really in view.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Unlike +modern +warfare.</div> + +<p>"It often happens in the mountains that the +only passages favorable to our plans are interrupted +by narrow defiles. In such cases we +must avoid letting the enemy know our real +purpose, and must undertake diversions, dividing +our forces into small bodies. This method, +which would be dangerous in any other sort of +country, is indispensable in the mountains, +and is the whole science of this kind of warfare, +provided that the general who uses it always +has the means to reconcentrate his forces +when necessary."</p> + +<p>Bourcet's conclusion is that in such a +campaign the offensive has great advantages +over the defensive. It will always possess the +initiative; and if it prepares its blow with sufficient +secrecy and strikes swiftly, the enemy, +whose troops are necessarily scattered along +the whole line menaced, can never be ready to +meet the attack.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Generals +understand +each +other's +strategy.</div> + +<p>To-day, the only trouble about this beautifully +tricky system of strategy is that the defending +general would pay no attention to it. +The Austrian general staff, for instance, knew +that the Italians would try to smash through +the frontier defenses of the Dual Empire, and +that the natural avenues of attack were up the +valley of the Adige, along the railway through +Pontebba and Malborghetto, or between Malborghetto +and the sea. The Austrians have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span> +enough men and guns to defend all these routes +and all the tortuous pathways in between. So +all they had to do was plant themselves on +their chosen ground along the whole carefully +fortified mountain line, and wait for the +Italians to attack wherever they pleased.</p> + +<p>"It is only by marching and countermarching," +Bourcet said, "that we can hope to deceive +the enemy and induce him to weaken himself +in certain positions in order to strengthen himself +in others."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +enemy +cannot +be outflanked.</div> + +<p>But this cannot be done in the mountain +fighting in the Alps to-day. The Italians might +march and countermarch as much as they +pleased, but there is no possible way of turning +the enemy out of his position by outflanking +him. It is a case of frontal attack, with +every valley blocked and every peak a fortress.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Italy's +great objectives.</div> + +<p>The Italians campaign has two principal objectives—Trent +and Gorizia. These two lovely +cities of Italia Irrendenta are respectively the +keys to the right and left flank of the Austrian +frontier. Trent guards the valley of the Adige, +one of the few natural highways from Italy into +Austrian territory. Bourcet himself, in 1735, +designed the defense of this pathway at Rivoli, +just inside the Italian boundary, where he laid +out what were considered impregnable positions. +To the north; where Trent lies, the +country becomes more and more difficult for +an invader, and up to this time the Italians +have not been able to come within striking distance +of the great Austrian fortress, though +they hold Rovereto, and have cut the direct +line of communication between Trent and +Toblach.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Italian +game on +the +Gorizia +front.</div> + +<p>On the Gorizia front they have made what in +this war may be considered as important gains. +Gorizia stands watch over the valley of the +Isonzo and Austria's Adriatic littoral. Besides +occupying Grado and Monfalcone in the coastlands,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> +General Cadorna's forces have crossed +the Isonzo at several points, have smashed +through to the north, and now threaten to +envelop Gorizia. Indeed, many observers believe +that Cadorna could at any time take the +place by a grand assault if he were willing to +pay the cost in blood.</p> + +<p>Despite the very unfavorable character of +the country, the Italians have gained more +ground here in the same period than either the +Germans or the Anglo-French forces in the flat +or rolling plains of Flanders and northern +France. But the outflanking tactics of Bourcet, +with feints and swift maneuvering, have had +little to do with it. The assailants have had to +fight their way step by step.</p> + +<p>The Austrians had prepared all sorts of +disagreeable surprises. They had hewn gun-positions +out of solid cliffs, skilfully placed so +as to cover the routes of approach, and had +cemented up the embrasures. It was merely +necessary to knock the cement out and pour +shells upon the advancing Italians at a range +of several miles. The batteries were inaccessible +to storming parties, and the Italians had +to drag up guns of equal caliber to put them +out of business.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Ancient +methods +employed.</div> + +<p>In some places rocks and masses of ice were +rolled down the slopes, as in the brave old days +of the Helvetians; and in this line the Austrians +introduced an innovation. When the +Italians began driving their trenches up the +steep slopes of Podgora—the Gibraltar of +Gorizia—the defenders rolled down barrels of +kerosene and set them alight with artillery fire. +This enterprise throve joyously until the Italian +gunners got the range of the launching-point +and succeeded in exploding a few barrels +among the Austrians themselves.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Austria +had possession +of the +heights.</div> + +<p>The writer does not mean to give the impression +that Italy's job in the Alps is all but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +finished. A glance at the map of the frontier +will cure any one of such a notion. The +Italians were forced to start this campaign +under every strategic disadvantage. By the +frontier delimited in 1866, they were left without +natural defenses on the north and east. +All along the Austrian boundary the heights +remained in the hands of the Hapsburgs as +natural menaces to Venetia and Lombardy. +Italy received the plains, but Austria held the +mountain fastnesses that hung above them.</p> + +<p>This is so much the case that when Italy declared +war, the Austrian general orders reminded +the troops that they were in the position +of men on the top floor of a six-story +house, defending it from attackers who must +mount from the street under a plunging fire.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Chasseurs +Alpins +in the +Vosges.</div> + +<p>But in one way or another the Italians have +been doggedly fighting their way up the walls +of the house. For one thing, their Alpini have +brought to great perfection the use of skis in +military operations on the snow-clad slopes. +This is the first war in which skis have really +come to the front. In France, too, the Chasseurs +Alpins have been able to show the Germans +some astonishing things with their long +wooden snow-shoes in the winter fighting +among the crests of the Vosges.</p> + +<p>A typical instance of this is the story of +the capture of a German post on the Alsatian +frontier in the winter of 1914-15. The Germans, +holding the railroad from Ste. Marie to +Ste. Croix, were expecting an attack from the +French position at St. Dié. This impression +was deliberately strengthened by a heavy artillery +fire from St. Dié, while a considerable +detachment of the Chasseurs Alpins led a +body of infantry along a winding mountain +road to the village of Bonhomme. There they +posted themselves just out of sight of the German +lines, while the <i>chasseurs</i> scaled the snow-covered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +heights and crept along the flank of +the German position.</p> + +<p>When they had reached the desired position, +the infantry charged along the road and the +Chasseurs Alpins simultaneously whizzed down +the slope on their skis. The swift flank attack +did the business, and the Germans were driven +for some miles down the valley of the Weiss +toward Colmar.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Austrians +capture +of Mt. +Lövchen.</div> + +<p>One of the greatest single mountain successes +of the war was the Austrian capture +of Mount Lövchen, the huge black mass of +rock, nearly six thousand feet high, which +dominates the Austrian port of Cattaro and +sentinels the little kingdom of Montenegro on +the west.</p> + +<p>Ever since the war began the Austrians have +from time to time made attempts to reach the +summit of this mighty rock. It is only a +matter of an hour or two by winding road in +peace times, but the Austrians were something +like eighteen months on the job; and in all +this time it is doubtful if the defenders ever +numbered much more than five thousand. It +was not captured until the Montenegrins had +practically run out of ammunition and of reasons +for holding the position. The rest of +their kingdom was overrun, and they were to +all intents and purposes out of the war.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Russians +in the +Carpathians.</div> + +<p>The Russian campaign in the Carpathians, +before the great German drive of a year ago +pushed the Czar's armies back into their own +country, also illustrates how the mountain warfare +of to-day grew by natural tendencies from +the tactics of Bourcet into the trench warfare +of northern France.</p> + +<p>In the first weeks of the war, when the great +offensive movement of the Austrian army toward +Lublin was crushed by the Grand Duke +Nicholas, and the broken hosts of the Dual +Monarchy were sent flying through Galicia and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> +the Carpathians, a cloud of Cossack cavalry +followed them and penetrated into the plains +of Hungary. This last operation was merely +a raid, however, and the Cossacks were soon +galloping back through the mountain passes.</p> + +<p>Then the Russians laid siege to Przemysl, +and occupied the whole of Galicia up to the +line of the San. Later they pushed on westward +to the Dunajec, threatening Cracow. +This was their high tide. On their left flank +was the mass of the Carpathians, pierced by +a number of passes. The more important of +these, from west to east, are the Tarnow, +Dukla, Lupkow, and Uzsok.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Carpathian +passes.</div> + +<p>The Austrians were rallied after some weeks, +and put up something of a fight for these "contracted +places." The Russians, following the +precepts of Bourcet, threatened the passage +which seemed most desirable, because of the +railroad facilities, and delivered a heavy blow +at the Dukla Pass, the least important of the +four. Here they pushed through to Bartfeld, +on the Hungarian plain. Then, however, +Mackensen's fearful blow smashed the Russian +line on the Dunajec and poured the German +legions across Galicia in the rear of the Carpathian +armies, forcing the Muscovites to abandon +the passes and scurry home.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Plains +more +often +battlegrounds.</div> + +<p>Mountain warfare has always had a certain +romantic glamour, and it has filled many pages +in the literature of fighting. As a matter of +historical fact, however, it has played a comparatively +small part in the world's annals. +Almost all the great campaigns have been +fought out in the lowlands. It is Belgium, +for instance, and not Switzerland, that has +been proverbially the battle-ground of Europe. +Napoleon and Suwaroff marched armies +through the Alps, but only as a means of striking +unexpectedly at the enemy who occupied +the plains beyond.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span></p> + +<p>Up to the time of the present war, mountain +campaigns have usually been no more than +picturesque foot-notes to history, illuminated +by the valor of raiding clansmen like Roderick +Dhu of the Scottish Highlands, or guerrilla +chiefs like Andreas Hofer, the Tyrolese patriot. +Hofer's struggle against Napoleon was indeed +a gallant and notable one, but it scarcely entered +into the main current of history.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Garibaldi's +mountain +campaigns.</div> + +<p>If, however, we include Garibaldi among the +mountain fighters—and such was the characteristic +bent of his remarkable military genius—we +must accord him a place among the +molders of modern Europe, for without his +flashing sword Italy could not have been liberated +and united. His two Alpine campaigns +against the Austrians were successful and effective, +but his most brilliant powers were shown +in his memorable invasion of Sicily in 1860. +Chased ashore at Marsala by the Neapolitan +war-ships, and narrowly escaping capture, he +led his followers—one thousand red-shirted +volunteers armed with obsolete muskets—into +the Sicilian mountains, where he played such +a game that within two months he compelled +the surrender of a well-equipped army of nearly +thirty thousand regulars. The history of warfare +can show but few exploits so daring and +so dramatic.</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Copyright, Munsey's Magazine, May, 1916.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The most important military movement on +the western front in the early autumn of 1915 +was the great French offensive in Champagne. +During the preceding months of the spring and +summer, there had been hard fighting all along +the 400-mile line from the North Sea to Switzerland. +The military results had been small on +either side and now the French resolved on a +mighty offensive which should be decisive in +its accomplishments. What these results actually +were is told in the following narrative.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span></p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE GREAT CHAMPAGNE<br /> +OFFENSIVE OF 1915</h2> + +<h3>OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE FRENCH +HEADQUARTERS STAFF</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">Menace +of the +French in +Alsace.</div> + +<p>After the battles of May and June, 1915, +in Artois, activity on the Western front +became concentrated in the Vosges, +where, by a series of successful engagements, +we managed to secure possession of more favorable +positions and to retain them in spite of incessant +counter-attacks. The superiority established +over the adversary, the wearing down +of the latter through vain and costly counter-offensives, +which absorbed in that sector his +local resources; the state of uncertainty in +which the Germans found themselves in view +of the menace of a French division in Alsace—such +were the immediate results of these engagements. +From the number of the effectives engaged, +and the limited front along which the +attacks took place, those attacks nevertheless +were no more than local.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Preparing +for a +great +offensive.</div> + +<p>While those operations were developing, the +higher command was carefully preparing for a +great offensive. The situation of the Russian +armies imposed on us, as their Allies, obligations +the accomplishment of which had been +made possible by the results of a long course +of preparation no less than by the aid of circumstances.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">Improved +defensive +organizations.</div> + +<p>The inaction of the adversary, engaged on +the Eastern front in a series of operations of +which he had not foreseen the difficulties, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span> +thus reduced to the defensive on our front, left +the initiative of the operations in our hands. +The landing in France of fresh British troops +enabled Marshal French to take upon himself +the defence of a portion of the lines hitherto +held by French troops. The improvement of +our defensive organizations, which made possible +certain economies in the effectives, the +regrouping of units and the creation of new +units, also had the effect of placing a larger +number of men at the disposal of the Generalissimo. +The increased output of war <i>matériel</i> +ensured him the necessary means for a complete +artillery preparation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Joffre's +appeal to +the troops.</div> + +<p>Among all the elements of success which were +thus united at the end of the summer of 1915, +not the least was the incomparable individual +worth of the French soldier. It was to the +traditional warlike qualities of the race that +the Generalissimo appealed when, on September +23, 1915, he addressed to the troops the +following general order, which was read to the +regiments by their officers:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='center'>"<span class="smcap">Soldiers of the Republic</span></div> + +<p>"After months of waiting, which have enabled +us to increase our forces and our resources, +while the adversary has been using up his own, +the hour has come to attack and conquer and +to add fresh glorious pages to those of the +Marne and Flanders, the Vosges and Arras.</p> + +<p>"Behind the whirlwind of iron and fire let +loose, thanks to the factories of France, where +your brothers have, night and day, worked for +us, you will proceed to the attack, all together, +on the whole front, in close union with the +armies of our Allies.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +spirit +of the +soldier.</div> + +<p>"Your <i>élan</i> will be irresistible. It will carry +you at a bound up to the batteries of the adversary, +beyond the fortified lines which he has +placed before you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You will give him neither pause nor rest +until victory has been achieved.</p> + +<p>"Set to with all your might for the deliverance +of the soil of la Patrie, for the triumph +of justice and liberty.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +"<span class="smcap">J. Joffre.</span>"<br /> +</div></div> + +<p>The description of the operations in Champagne +will show under what conditions our +troops acquitted themselves of the task assigned +to them, and also the value and significance +of this success, without precedent in +the war of positions in which we are at present +engaged.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +German +line that +was +broken.</div> + +<p>The German line that was broken in Champagne +is the same that was fortified by our +adversaries after the victory of the Marne. It +rests on the western side on the Massif de +Moronvillers; to the east it stretches as far as +the Argonne. It was intended to cover the +railway line from Challerange to Bazancourt, +a line indispensable for the concentration +movements of the German troops. The offensive +front, which extended from Auberive +to the east of Ville-sur-Tourbe, presents a +varied aspect. From east to west may be +seen:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A wooded +glacis.</div> + +<p>(1) A glacis about eight kilometres in width, +the gentle slopes of which are covered by +numerous little woods. The road from Saint-Hilaire +to Saint-Souplet, with the Baraque de +l'Epine de Vedegrange, marks approximately +its axis.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Valley of +Souain.</div> + +<p>(2) The hollow, at the bottom of which is +the village of Souain and of which the first +German line followed the further edge. The +road from Souain to Pomme-Py describes the +radius of this semi-circle. The farm of Navarin, +at a distance of three and a half kilometres to +the north of Souain, stands on the top of the +hills.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Second +German +line.</div> + +<p>(3) To the north of Perthes a comparatively +tranquil region of uniform aspect, forming +between the wooded hills of the Trou Bricot +and those of the Butte du Mesnil a passage +three kilometres wide, barred by several lines +of trenches and ending at a series of heights, +the Butte de Souain, Hills 195 and 201, and +the Butte de Tahure, surmounted by the second +German line.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A strong +German +position.</div> + +<p>(4) To the north of Le Mesnil, a very strong +position, bastioned on the west by two twin +heights (Mamelle Nord and Trapèze), on the +east by the Butte du Mesnil. The German +trenches formed between these two bastions a +powerful curtain, behind which extended as +far as Tahure a thickly wooded, undulating +region.</p> + +<p>(5) To the north of Beauséjour a bare terrain +easily practicable, with a gentle rise in +the direction of Ripon as far as the farm of +Maisons de Champagne.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Eastern +flank +of the +German +line.</div> + +<p>(6) To the north of Massiges, Hills numbered +191 and 199, describing on the map the +figure of a hand, very strongly constructed and +constituting the eastern flank of the whole +German line. This tableland slopes down +gently in the direction of Ville-sur-Tourbe.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +system +of trench +defenses.</div> + +<p>The achievements of our troops from September +25 to October 3, 1915, in this region +may be thus summarised: They scaled the +whole of the glacis of l'Epine de Vedegrange; +they occupied the ridge of the hollow at +Souain; debouched in the opening to the +north of Perthes to the slopes of Hill 195 and +as far as the Butte de Tahure; carried the +western bastions of the curtain of le Mesnil; +advanced as far as Maisons de Champagne and +took by assault the "hand" of Massiges. That +is to say that they captured an area about +forty square kilometres in extent. The importance +of that figure is shown when one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span> +examines on the map accompanying this report +the position of the German trenches, with a +view to understanding the system of defence +adopted by our adversaries. Two positions, +distant from three to four kilometres from +each other, stand out clearly. The first is the +more dense; the trenches with their alleys of +communication present at certain points the +appearance of a wirework chessboard. Everywhere, +to a depth of from 300 to 400 metres +there are at least three parallel lines, sometimes +five. The trenches are separated from +each other as a rule by wire entanglements +varying in width from 15 to 60 metres.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +second +position.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Alleys of +communication.</div> + +<p>The second position comprises only one +trench, reinforced at certain points by a supporting +trench. It is everywhere constructed, +as is the wire network in front of it, in the +form of a slope. On top there are merely observation +stations with machine-gun shelters +connected with the trench by an alley of communication. +Between the two positions the +terrain was also specially prepared, being cut +up by transverse or diagonal trenches. The +alleys of communication constructed to facilitate +the firing, which were in many cases +protected by wirework, make possible, according +to the German method, a splitting up of +the terrain by lateral fire and the maintenance, +even after the tide of the assailants had flooded +the trenches, of centres of resistance, veritable +strongholds that could only be reduced after a +siege. The positions of the artillery were +established, as were also the camps and provision +depots, behind the first position, the principal +line of defence.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +organization +known.</div> + +<p>The whole German organization was known +to us. It was shown on our maps, and every +defensive work, trench, alley of communication, +and clump of trees was given a special name +or a number preceded by a certain letter, according<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> +to the sector of attack wherein it was +situated. This minute precision in the details +of the preparation is worthy of being pointed +out; it constitutes one of the peculiarities of +the present war, a veritable siege war, in which +the objective has to be realised beforehand +and clearly determined, every piece of ground +having to be captured by heavy fighting, as was +formerly every redan and every curtain.</p> + +<p>The bombardment of the German positions +began on September 22, 1915 and was pursued +night and day according to a time scheme and +a division of labour previously determined +upon. The results expected were:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Results of +bombardment.</div> + +<p>(1) The destruction of the wire entanglements.</p> + +<p>(2) The burial of the defenders in their dug-out.</p> + +<p>(3) The razing of the trenches and the +demolition of the embrasures.</p> + +<p>(4) The stopping-up of the alleys of communication.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Work +of the +long-range +guns.</div> + +<p>The gun-fire covered not only the first trench +but also the supporting trench and even the +second position, although the distance at which +the last was situated and the outline of its +wire entanglements made it difficult to make +field observations in that direction. At the +same time the heavy long-range guns bombarded +the headquarters, the cantonments and +the railway stations; they cut the railway lines, +causing a suspension of the work of revictualling. +The best witnesses to the effectiveness +of our bombardment are to be found +in unfinished letters found upon prisoners.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class='right'> +"<span class="smcap">September 23.</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Letters +found on +prisoners.</div> + +<p>"The French artillery fired without intermission +from the morning of the 21st to the +evening of the 23rd, and we all took refuge in +our dug-outs. On the evening of the 22nd we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> +were to have gone to get some food, and the +French continued to fire on our trenches. In +the evening we had heavy losses, and we had +nothing to eat."</p></div> + + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> +"<span class="smcap">September 25.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"I have received no news, and probably I +shall not receive any for some days. The +whole postal service has been stopped; all +places have been bombarded to such an extent +that no human being could stand against it.</p> + +<p>"The railway line is so seriously damaged +that the train service for some time has been +completely stopped.</p> + +<p>"We have been for three days in the first +line; during those three days the French have +fired so heavily that our trenches are no longer +visible."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">Number of +wounded.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> +"<span class="smcap">September 24.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"For the last two days the French have been +firing like mad. To-day, for instance, a dug-out +has been destroyed. There were sixteen +men in it. Not one of them managed to save +his skin. They are all dead. Besides that, +a number of individual men have been killed +and there are a great mass of wounded.</p> + +<p>"The artillery fires almost as rapidly as the +infantry. A mist of smoke hangs over the +whole battle-front, so that it is impossible to +see anything. Men are dropping like flies.</p> + +<p>"The trenches are no longer anything but +a mound of ruins."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">Sufferings +of the +soldiers.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> + +"<span class="smcap">September 24.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"A rain of shells is pouring down upon us. +The kitchen and everything that is sent to us +is bombarded at night. The field-kitchens no +longer come to us. Oh, if only the end were +near! That is the cry every one is repeating. +Peace! Peace!"</p></div> + +<p>Extract from the notebook of a man of the +103rd Regiment:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"From the trench nothing much can now +be seen; it will soon be on a level with the +ground."</p></div> + +<p>Letter of an artilleryman of the 100th Regiment +of Field Artillery:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> + +"<span class="smcap">September 25.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"We have passed through some terrible +hours. It was as though the whole world was +in a state of collapse. We have had heavy +losses. One company of two hundred and fifty +men had sixty killed last night. A neighboring +battery had sixteen killed yesterday.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Destructiveness +of the +French +shells.</div> + +<p>"The following instance will show you the +frightful destructiveness of the French shells. +A dug-out five metres deep, surmounted by 2 +metres 50 centimetres of earth and two thicknesses +of heavy timber, was broken like a +match."</p></div> + +<p>Report made on September 24 in the morning, +by the captain commanding the 3rd company +of the 135th Regiment of Reserve:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The French are firing on us with great +bombs and machine-guns. We must have reinforcements +at once. Many men are no longer +fit for anything. It is not that they are +wounded, but they are Landsturmers. Moreover +the wastage is greater than the losses +announced.</p> + +<p>"Send rations immediately; no food has +reached us to-day. Urgently want illuminating +cartridges and hand grenades. Is the +hospital corps never coming to fetch the +wounded?"</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">German +troops +exhausted.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> +"<span class="smcap">September 25, 11.45.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"I urgently beg for reinforcements; the men +are dying from fatigue and want of sleep. I +have no news of the battalion."</p></div> + +<p>The time fixed for all the attacks on the +Champagne front was a quarter-past nine in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> +the morning. There was no hesitation. At +the time mentioned the troops came out of +the trenches with the aid of steps or scaling +ladders and drew up in line before making a +rush at the German trenches.</p> + +<p>The operation was rapidly effected. The +objective was at an average distance of two +hundred metres; this was covered without +serious losses. The Germans were nearly +everywhere surprised, and their defensive fire +was not opened until after the invading tide +of the attackers had passed by.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">First +German +trench +penetrated.</div> + +<p>Over the whole attacking front our troops +penetrated into the first German trench. But +subsequently the progress was no longer uniform. +While certain units continued their forward +movement with extreme rapidity, others +came up against machine guns still in action +and either stopped or advanced only with difficulty. +Some centres of the German resistance +maintained their position for several +hours and even for several days.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Outline of +advance in +Champagne.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The battle +a series of +assaults.</div> + +<p>A line showing the different stages of our +advance in Champagne would assume a curiously +winding outline, and would reveal on +the one hand the defensive power of an adversary +resolved to stick to the ground at all +costs and on the other the victorious continuity +of the efforts of our troops in this hand-to-hand +struggle. The battle of Champagne must +be considered in the light of a series of assaults, +executed at the same moment, in +parallel or convergent directions and having +for their object either the capture or the hemming +in of the first German position, the units +being instructed to reform in a continuous line +before the second position.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Unity +of the +action.</div> + +<p>In order to understand the development, the +terrain must be divided into several sectors, +in each of which the operations, although +closely co-ordinated, assumed, as a consequence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span> +either of the nature of the ground or +of the peculiarities of the enemy defences, a +different character. The unity of the action +was nevertheless ensured by the simultaneity +of the rush, which carried all the troops beyond +the first position, past the batteries, to +the defences established by the enemy on the +heights to the south of Py.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">At extremities +offensive +does not +progress.</div> + +<p>At the two extremities of our attacking +front, subjected to converging fires and to +counter-attacks on the flanks, our offensive +made no progress. The fighting which took +place in Auberive and round about Servon +were distinguished by more than one trait of +heroism, but they were destined to have no +other result than that of containing the forces +of the enemy and of immobilising him at the +wings while the attack was progressing in the +centre.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Position +from +Auberive +to Souain +a triangle.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Wire +checks the +attackers.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Gains +maintained.</div> + +<p>(1) <i>Sector of l'Epine de Vedegrange.</i> The +first German line was established at the base +of a wide glacis covered with clumps of trees, +and formed a series of salients running into +each other. At certain points it ran along +the edge of the woods where the supplementary +defences were completed by abattis. The position +as a whole between Auberive and Souain +described a vast triangle. To the west of the +road, from Saint-Hilaire to Saint-Souplet, the +troops traversed the first enemy line and +rushed forward for a distance of about a kilometre +as far as a supporting trench, in front +of which they were stopped by the wirework. +A counterattack debouching from the west and +supported by the artillery of Moronvillers +caused a slight retirement of our left. The +troops of the right, on the contrary, maintained +their gains and succeeded on the following +days in enlarging and extending them, +remaining in touch with the units which were +attacking on the east of the road. The latter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> +had succeeded in a particularly brilliant manner +in overcoming the difficulties with which +they were confronted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Nature +of the +position +captured.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Prisoners +and guns +seized.</div> + +<p>The German position which they captured, +with its triple and quadruple lines of trenches, +its small forts armed with machine guns, its +woods adapted for the purpose in view, constituted +one of the most complete schemes of +defence on the Champagne front and afforded +cover to a numerous artillery concealed in the +woods of the glacis. On this front, which was +about three and a half kilometres wide, the attack +on September 25, 1915 achieved a varying +success. The troops on the left, after having +penetrated into the first trench, had their +progress arrested by machine guns. On the +right, however, in spite of the obstacle presented +by four successive trenches, each of which was +covered by a network of wire entanglements +and was concealed in the woods, where our artillery +had difficulty in reaching them, the attacking +troops gained nearly two kilometres, +capturing seven hundred prisoners, of whom +seventeen were officers, and seizing two guns of +77 and five guns of 105.</p> + +<p>The advance recommenced on September 27, +1915. The left took possession of the woods +lining the road from Saint-Hilaire to Saint-Souplet +as far as the Epine de Vedegrange. +Along the whole extent of the wooded heights as +far as the western side of the hollow at Souain +the success was identical. Notwithstanding +the losses they sustained, notwithstanding the +fatigue involved in the incessant fighting, the +troops pushed forward, leaving behind them +only a sufficient force to clear the woods of +isolated groups of the enemy who still remained +there. Between 4 and 6 p.m. we arrived +immediately in front of the second German +position.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Second +German +position +penetrated.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Results of +attack +in this +sector.</div> + +<p>On the 27th we penetrated into this position<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span> +at two points. We took possession of a trench +about a kilometre wide, called the "parallel of +the Epine de Vedegrange," which is duplicated +almost throughout by another trench (the +parallel of the wood of Chevron), and the +wirework entanglements of which were intact, +and precluded an assault. Further east our +soldiers also continued, thanks to the conformation +of the terrain, to penetrate into the +enemy trench to a depth of about four hundred +metres. But it was impossible to take advantage +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'to'">of</ins> this breach owing to a concentration +of the German heavy artillery, a rapidly +continued defence of the surrounding woods, +and the fire of machine guns which it was not +possible to capture and which were directed +from the trenches on the right and left of the +entry and exit to the breach. The results attained +in this attacking sector alone may be +stated thus: fifteen square miles of territory +organized for defence throughout nearly the +whole of its extent; on September 28, forty-four +cannon, seven of 105 and six of 150, and +more than three thousand prisoners.</p> + +<p>(2) <i>Sector of Souain.</i> The enemy lines +round about Souain described a wide curve. +In the immediate vicinity of our trenches, to +the west at the Mill and to the east of the +wood of Sabot, they swerved to the extent of +over a kilometre to the north of the village +and of the source of the Ain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sapping +operations.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Assault +made in +three +directions.</div> + +<p>When the offensive was decided upon it was +necessary, in order to extend our lines forward +to striking distance, to undertake sapping +operations in parallel lines, and at times to +make dashes by night over the intervening +ground. The men working underground got +into communication with the trenches by digging +alleys of communication. This difficult +undertaking was effected with very slight +losses, under the eyes and under the fire of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> +enemy. Our parallel lines approached to within +a distance of two hundred metres of the +German trenches. The assault was made in +three different directions: on the west in the +direction of Hills 167 and 174; in the centre +along a line running parallel with the road +from Souain to Pomme-Py, in the direction of +the farm of Navarin; on the east in the direction +of the woods intersected by the road from +Souain to Tahure, and in the direction of the +Butte de Souain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Machine +gun positions +surrounded.</div> + +<p>The advance was extremely rapid—on the +left two kilometres in less than one hour, in +the centre three kilometres in forty-five minutes. +At 10 a.m. we had reached the farm of +Navarin. Towards the east the forward march +was more difficult. Some German machine +guns stood their ground in the wood of Sabot +and contributed to the resistance of the enemy. +This defence was destined to be overcome by +surrounding them. Arriving at the wooded +region in that part where it is intersected by +the road from Souain to Tahure, the assailants +joined up on September 27, 1915 with +those of our troops who were attacking to the +north of Perthes. They left behind them only +what was barely necessary in the way of troops +to clear the woods of stragglers.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +French +take guns +and supplies.</div> + +<p>Parlementaires were sent to the Germans, +who received them with a volley of rifle shots +and endeavored to escape during the night. +The majority were killed and the survivors +surrendered. Several batteries and a large +quantity of <i>matériel</i> (supplies of shells and +provisions, grenades, telephones, wire, light +railways) remained in our hands. On the +28th, along the entire length of the sector, we +were immediately in front of the second German +position. The troops had shown an unparalleled +ardour and energy. They had been +trained by officers whose courage and spirit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> +of self-sacrifice are indicated by this casualty +list; a general of division and four colonels +wounded; two colonels killed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Wooded +region +between +Souain +and +Perthes.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Region +broken +up by +mines and +trenches.</div> + +<p>(3) <i>Sector of Perthes.</i> Between Souain and +Perthes stretches a wooded region in which +already, in February and March, heavy fighting +had taken place. At that period we had +contrived to take possession on the eastern extremity +of this region of the German defences +of the wood of Sabot. We had also made +progress to the north-west of Perthes, on the +summit of Hill 200. But between these two +positions the Germans had retained a strong +system of trenches forming a salient almost +triangular in shape, to which we gave the +name of the Pocket (<i>la Poche</i>). During the +whole year a war of mining had been going on, +and the region, which was broken up by concave +constructions and intersected in all directions +by trenches and alleys of communication, +constituted an attacking ground all the +more difficult because to the north of la Poche +the somewhat thickly wooded Trou Bricot, the +edges of which were in a state of defence, obstructed +a rapid advance. This wooded region +extends over a width of a kilometre and a half +and a depth of four kilometres. The arrangements +made for the attack contemplated, after +the capture of la Poche, the surrounding of +the wood of the Trou Bricot. The junction +was to be made at the road from Souain to +Tahure, with the troops assigned for the attack +on the eastern border of the hollow at +Souain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The York +trench.</div> + +<p>The ground to the east of the Trou Bricot +was less difficult. Open and comparatively +flat, it was defended on the north of Perthes +by a triple line of trenches distant 100 metres +from each other. At a distance of 1000 metres +to 1200 metres a supporting trench, called the +"York trench," was almost unique in its entire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> +construction. The open country beyond +stretched for a distance of three kilometres +up to the second German position (Hill 195, +Butte de Tahure). The principal effort was +directed against this passage, the left flank of +the attack being secured by a subsidiary action +confined to the capture of la Poche.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attack +preceded +by artillery +fire.</div> + +<p>At 9 a.m. our artillery directed its fire successively +against the first-line trenches and the +supporting trenches. The attack took place in +the most perfect order. The assailants were +already swarming in the German lines when +the enemy artillery opened its defensive fire. +Our counter-batteries hampered the German +pieces and our reserves in the rear suffered +little from their fire.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">La Poche +position +surrendered.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The York +trench +occupied.</div> + +<p>At 9.45 a.m. the two columns which were +attacking the extremities of the salient of la +Poche joined hands. The position was surrounded. +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'These'">Those</ins> Germans who remained alive +inside it surrendered. At the same time a battalion +was setting foot in the defences of the +southern edges of the wood of Trou Bricot. +The battalions that followed, marching to the +outside of the eastern edges, executed with perfect +regularity a "left turn" and came and +formed up alongside the alleys of communication +as far as the supporting trench. At the +same moment, in the open country to the north +of Perthes, the troops surmounted the three +first-line trenches and, preceded by our artillery, +made a quick march towards the York +trench and occupied it almost without striking +a blow.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Cleaning +up the +sector.</div> + +<p>Further to the East, along the road from +Perthes to Tahure, their advance encountered +greater difficulties. Some centres of the German +resistance could not be overcome. A +sheltered machine gun continued its fire. An +infantry officer, with a quartermaster of artillery, +succeeded in getting into action a gun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> +at a distance of three hundred metres from the +machine gun and in firing at it at close quarters. +Of the troops which were advancing to +the north of Perthes, some made for the eastern +border of the wood of Bricot, where they +penetrated into the camps, ousting the defenders +and surprising several officers in bed. Late +in the afternoon one of our regiments had +reached the road from Souain to Tahure. +Other units were marching straight towards +the north, clearing out the little woods on the +way. They there captured batteries of which +the artillerymen were riveted to their guns by +means of bayonets (notably ten pieces of 105 +and five of 150).</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Progress +hindered +by +weather.</div> + +<p>The same work was being performed in the +woods extending east of the road from Perthes +to Souain and Tahure, where batteries were +charged and captured while in action. At this +spot a regiment covered four kilometres in two +hours and captured ten guns, three of 105 and +seven of 77. But, from twelve o'clock midday +onwards the rate of progress decreased, the +bad weather making it impossible for our artillery +to see what was going on, and rendering +the joining up of the different corps extremely +difficult. From the Buttes de Souain and +Tahure the enemy directed converging fires on +our men, who were advancing along very open +ground. Nevertheless they continued their advance +as far as the slopes of Hill 193 and the +Butte de Tahure, and there dug themselves in.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Contact +with +second +German +position.</div> + +<p>The night passed without any counter-attack +by the enemy. Our artillery, including several +field batteries, which had arrived immediately +after the attack beyond the York trench, also +brought forward its heavy pieces. At dawn the +reconstituted regiments made another forward +rush which enabled them to establish themselves +in immediate contact with the second +German position from the Butte de Souain to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span> +the Butte de Tahure, and even to seize several +advanced posts in that neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>But on the lower slopes some of the wire entanglements +remained intact; a successful +assault on them would have been possible only +after a fresh preparation. Up to October 6, +1915, the troops remained where they were, +digging trenches and organizing a defensive +system which had to be constructed all over +again on ground devastated by the enemy fire.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Ravin des +Cuisines.</div> + +<p>(4) <i>Sector of Le Mesnil.</i> It was to the north +of Le Mesnil that we encountered the greatest +resistance on the part of the adversary. In +the course of the engagements of the preceding +winter we had succeeded in securing a foothold +on top of the hill numbered 196. The Germans +remained a little to the east, in a ravine which +we continued to call by its designation of the +"Ravine of the Kitchens" (Ravin des Cuisines). +Our assault rendered us masters of it, but we +could make no further progress.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Fighting +on the +Butte du +Mesnil.</div> + +<p>The German trenches are constructed on the +northern slopes of Hill 196, and are concealed +from field observation so that it is difficult for +the artillery to play upon them. Moreover, +they are flanked on one side by the twin heights +of the Mamelles, on the other by the Butte du +Mesnil. To the eastward some of our units contrived +on September 25, 1915, to penetrate into +the trenches of the <i>butte</i> (knoll), but failed +to maintain their ground, in consequence of a +counter-attack supported by flank fires. Westward, +it was not until the night of the 1st to +the 2nd of October, 1915, that we captured the +northern Mamelle, thus surrounding the works +of the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Trapeze'">Trapèze</ins> which surmount the southern +Mamelle.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Rapid and +brilliant +advance.</div> + +<p>(5) <i>Sector of Beauséjour.</i> The attacks +launched north of Beauséjour met with a more +rapid and more brilliant success. The swarm +of invaders throwing themselves on the first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> +German lines captured one after the other the +enemy works in the very sparsely timbered +woods called the Fer de Lance wood and the +Demi-Lune wood, and afterwards all the works +known as the Bastion. In one rush certain +units gained the top of Maisons de Champagne, +past several batteries, killing the artillerymen +as they served their pieces. The same movement +took the assailants across the intricate +region of the mine "funnels" of Beauséjour up +to the extended wood intersected by the road +to Maisons de Champagne. Our soldiers then +came across German artillerymen engaged in +unlimbering their guns. They killed the +drivers and horses; the survivors surrendered.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Cavalry +supports +the +infantry.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +counter-attacks.</div> + +<p>Further westward the left wing of the attacking +troops advanced with greater difficulty, +being hampered by small forts and covered +works with which the trenches were everywhere +protected. It was at this moment that +the cavalry came unexpectedly to the support +of the infantry. Two squadrons of hussars +having crossed our old trenches in face of a +heavy defensive artillery fire prepared to gallop +against the German batteries north of Maisons +de Champagne, when they reached that part +of the lines where the Germans still maintained +their position. The latter immediately directed +the fire of their machine guns against the +cavalrymen, several of whose horses were hit. +The hussars dismounted and, with drawn +sabres, made for the trenches, while favoured +by this diversion, the infantrymen resumed +their forward movement. The resistance of +the enemy broke down; more than six hundred +Germans were captured in this way. In the +course of the afternoon and during the day of +September 25, 1915, some enemy counter-attacks +were made from the direction of Ripont, +but were unsuccessful in ousting us from <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word not present in original text">the</ins> +summit of Maisons de Champagne.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the following days a fierce struggle took +place north of the summit in the region of a +defensive work known as the "Ouvrage de la +Défaite," which was captured by us, lost, then +recaptured, and finally evacuated in consequence +of an extremely violent bombardment.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Heights +of +Massiges.</div> + +<p>(6) <i>Sector of Massiges.</i> The safety of our +troops which had advanced as far as the extended +wood and Maisons de Champagne was +assured by the capture of the summits of the +heights of Massiges. This sharply undulating +upland, numbered 199 on the north and 191 on +the south, constituted in the hands of the +Germans a fortress which they believed to be +impregnable and from the top of which they +commanded our positions in several directions. +At 9.15 a.m. the two first attacking parties +marched out in columns. The men went forth +gaily and deliberately, preceded by the firing +of the field artillery. By 9.30 a.m. our infantry, +before the enemy had had time to recover +themselves, had reached the summit.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy +machine +gun fire.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Lines of +grenadiers.</div> + +<p>From this moment, subject to machine gun +and musketry fire, the men could only proceed +slowly along the summits by the alleys of communication, +with hand grenades, supported by +the artillery, with whom they remained in +constant touch by flag-signalling. As the advance +of our grenadiers continued, the Germans +surrendered in large numbers. An uninterrupted +chain of grenade-bearers, like the chains +of bucket-holders at a fire in former times, +was established in the alleys of communication +from Massiges forward, and each fresh arrival +of grenades was accompanied by a fresh +advance.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Value of +possessing +the +heights.</div> + +<p>From September 25 to October 3, 1915, the +fight continued in this way and was carried +on by our soldiers with fierce persistency. The +Germans hurled upon the spot constant reinforcements<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span> +and offered an obstinate resistance +that has rarely been equalled. They stood up +to be shot down—the machine-gun men at their +guns, the grenadiers on their grenade chests. +All attempts at a counter-attack remained +equally unproductive. The possession of the +heights of Massiges enabled us to extend our +gains towards Ville-sur-Tourbe, while taking in +flank the trenches which we had failed to +secure by a frontal attack.</p> + +<p>The loss of the heights of Massiges appears +to have particularly upset the German General +Staff, which, after having denied the fact, +represented that the ground which it had lost +as a consequence of grenade fighting had been +abandoned owing to artillery fire.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attitude +of the +enemy.</div> + +<p>The attitude of the enemy was characterized +by: (1) Surprise; (2) disorganization; (3) a +sudden and almost disorderly engagement of +the reserves; (4) the exhaustion and demoralization +of the soldiers.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Reasons +for surprise.</div> + +<p>(1) It is beyond doubt that the Germans +were surprised by the extent and violence of +our attacks. They were expecting a French +offensive. The orders of the day of Generals +von Fleck and Von Ditfurth prove this. ("The +possibility of a great French offensive must be +considered": Von Ditfurth, August 15. "The +French Higher Command appears to be disposed +to make another desperate effort": Von +Fleck, September 26.) But the Germans foresaw +neither the strength nor the success of +the effort. During our artillery preparation +twenty-nine battalions only were brought back +to Champagne (the 183rd Brigade, the 5th +Division of the 3rd Corps, and one-half of the +43rd Division of Reserve). In thus limiting +before the attack the reinforcements of its effectives +the German General Staff showed that +they did not suspect the vigour of the blow that +was about to be delivered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span></p> + +<p>The same thing happened with regard to the +subordinate forces. Inside the shelters in the +second line officers were captured while lying +down; they had an unwarranted confidence in +the strength of their first line, and the interruption +of telephone communications had prevented +their being informed of the rapid progress +of our offensive.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Rapidity +of French +attack.</div> + +<p>(2) This rapidity of our attack explains the +disorganization of the adversary on the morning +of September 25. At some points certain +officers and non-commissioned officers were +able to continue the resistance until the investment, +followed by capitulation. But elsewhere +there were prompt surrenders. Men were also +seen flying before our attacking troops and +being killed while making for their second +position.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">How the +German +reserves +were +utilized.</div> + +<p>(3) In order to make up for the insufficiency +of the local reserves the German military +authorities had to put in line not only the +important units which they held at their disposal +behind the front (10th Corps brought +back from Russia), but the local reserves from +other sectors (Soissonnais, Argonne, Woevre, +Alsace), which were despatched to Champagne +one battalion after another, and even in groups +of double companies.</p> + +<p>Nothing better indicates the disorganization +of the German command and the significance +of the check suffered than the conditions under +which these reserves were engaged.</p> + +<p>The units were despatched to the fight completely +disassociated. Among the regiments of +the 5th Division (3rd Corps), one, the 81st, +was identified near Massiges, while a battalion +of the 12th was at Tahure and a battalion of +the 32nd at the Trou Bricot. It was the same +as regards the 56th Division, of which the 88th +and 35th Regiments were despatched to Massiges +and the 91st to Souain, while a battalion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span> +of the 79th took up a position to the west of +the Butte de Tahure.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Haste +increased +German +losses.</div> + +<p>Ill provided with food and munitions, the +reinforcements were thrown into the engagement +on an unknown terrain without indication +as to the direction they had to take and without +their junction with neighbouring units having +been arranged. Through the haste with +which they threw their reserves under the fire +of our artillery and of our infantry, already in +possession of the positions, the German General +Staff considerably increased the number of +their losses.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Soldiers +brought +by +motor-car.</div> + +<p>A letter taken from a soldier of the 118th +Regiment furnishes us with proof of this: +"We were put in a motor-car and proceeded at +a headlong pace to Tahure, by way of Vouziers. +Two hours' rest in the open air, with rain +falling and then we had a six hours' march to +take up our positions. On our way we were +greeted by the fire of the enemy shells, so that, +for instance, out of 280 men of the second +company, only 224 <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'arrival'">arrived</ins> safe and sound inside +the trenches. These trenches, freshly dug, +were barely from 35 to 50 centimetres deep. +Continually surrounded by mines and bursting +shells, we had to remain in them and do the +best we could with them for 118 hours without +getting anything hot to eat.</p> + +<p>"Hell itself could not be more terrible. To-day, +at about twelve o'clock noon, 600 men, +fresh troops, joined the regiment. In five days +we have lost as many and more."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Battalions +from +many +regiments.</div> + +<p>The disorder amid which the reinforcements +were engaged appears clearly from this fact, +that on the only part of the front included +between Maisons de Champagne and Hill 189 +there were on October 2, 1915, thirty-two +battalions belonging to twenty-one different +regiments.</p> + +<p>(4) The violence of the shock sustained, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> +the necessity of replacing in the fighting line +units which had almost entirely disappeared, +hampered the German military authorities. +On the first day they were unable to respond +effectively even with their artillery, the fire of +which along the whole front was badly directed +and as a rule poorly sustained. The loss of +numerous batteries obviously deprived them of +a portion of their resources.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enemy endeavors +to stem +advance.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Isolated +battalion +on the +heights +of +Massiges.</div> + +<p>The following days the enemy seemed to have +but one idea, to strengthen their second line +to stem our advance. The counter-attacks were +concentrated on a comparatively unimportant +part of the battlefront in certain places, the +loss of which appeared to them to be particularly +dangerous. Therefore on the heights of +Massiges the German military authorities +threw in succession isolated battalions of the +123rd, 124th, and 120th regiments, of the 30th +regular regiment and of the 2nd regiment of +Ersatz Reserve (16th Corps), which were each +in turn decimated, for these counter-attacks, +hastily and crudely prepared, all resulted in +sanguinary failures. Generally speaking, the +offensive capacity of the Germans appeared to +be broken. The following order of the day of +General von Ditfurth bears witness to this:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +von Ditfurth's +order.</div> + +<p>"It seemed to me that the infantry at certain +points was confining its action to a mere +defensive.... I cannot protest too strongly +against such an idea, which necessarily results +in destroying the spirit of offensive in our own +troops and in arousing and strengthening in +the mind of the enemy a feeling of his +superiority.</p> + +<p>"The enemy is left full liberty of action and +our own action is subjected to the will of the +enemy."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Prisoners +exhausted.</div> + +<p>(5) In an engagement in the open the number +of prisoners is an indication of the spirit +of the enemy. In Champagne the Germans surrendered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> +in constituted units (sections or +companies), and even in groups of several +hundred men. They confessed that they were +worn out. They had been, for the most part, +without supplies for several days and had suffered +more particularly from thirst. They all +showed that they had been greatly impressed +by our uninterrupted artillery fire, the feeble +response of their own guns, and the extent of +their losses.</p> + +<p>Here by way of specimen is what was set +down by a reserve lieutenant of the 90th Regiment +of infantry (10th Corps):</p> + +<p>"Yesterday I had sixteen men killed by high +explosive bombs. The trench was nearly filled +up. Extreme activity of the French howitzers. +Our artillery fires shrapnel, but unfortunately +does not get the range.</p> + +<p>"B... was also killed. The second battalion, +too, has had heavy losses. It is frightful. +Those confounded high explosive shells!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">An officer +wishes +for rain.</div> + +<p>"The weather is becoming fine again. If +only it would rain again, or fog would come. +As it is, the aviators will arrive and we shall +have more high explosive bombs and flank firing +on the trenches. Abominable fine weather! +Fog, fog, come to our assistance."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +enemy's +lines.</div> + +<p>It is difficult to estimate precisely the German +losses. Certain indications however serve +to indicate their extent. A <i>vizefeldwebel</i> declares +that he is the only man remaining out +of his company. A soldier of the third battalion +of the 123rd Regiment engaged on the +26th, states that his regiment was withdrawn +from the front after only two days' fighting +because its losses were too great. The 118th +Regiment relieved in the trenches the 158th +Regiment after it had been reduced to fifteen or +twenty men per company. Certain units disappeared +completely, as for instance the 27th +Reserve Regiment and the 52nd Regular Regiment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span> +which, by the evening of the 25th had +left in our hands, the first thirteen officers +and 933 men, the second twenty-one officers +and 927 men. In order to arrive at the total +of the losses certain figures may serve as an +indication.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">German +strength +in Champagne.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Ninety-three +fresh battalions.</div> + +<p>At the beginning of September, 1915 the +Germans had on the Champagne front seventy +battalions. In anticipation of our attack they +brought there, before September 25, 1915, +twenty-nine battalions. This makes ninety-nine +battalions, representing, if account be +taken of the corresponding artillery and +pioneer formations, 115,000 men directly engaged. +The losses due to the artillery preparation +and the first attacks were such that from +September 25 to October 15, 1915, the German +General Staff was compelled to renew its effectives +almost in their entirety by sending +ninety-three fresh battalions.</p> + +<p>It may be assumed that the units engaged +on September 25 and 26, 1915, suffered losses +amounting to from 60 to 80 per cent. (even +more for certain corps, which have entirely +disappeared). The new units brought into +line for the counter-attacks, and subjected in +connection with these to an incessant bombardment, +lost 50 per cent. of their effectives, +if not more. We think we shall be understating +the case if we set down 140,000 men as the +sum of the German losses in Champagne. Account +must be taken of the fact that of this +number the proportion of slightly wounded +men able to recuperate rapidly and return to +the front is, in the case of the Germans, very +much below the average proportion in connection +with other engagements by reason of the +fact that they were unable to gather up their +wounded, and thus left in our hands nearly the +whole of the troops entrusted with the defence +of the first position.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enthusiasm +of +the +French.</div> + +<p>All those who lived through the engagements +of the battle of Champagne experienced the +sensation of victory. The aspect of the battlefield, +the long columns of prisoners, the look +in the eyes of our soldiers, their animation and +their enthusiasm, all this gave expression to +the importance of a success which the Generalissimo +recognized in these terms.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Thanks +of the +commander-in-chief.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Grand Headquarters,</span><br /> +"<span class="smcap">October 5, 1915.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"The Commander-in-Chief addresses to the +troops under his orders the expression of his +profound satisfaction at the results obtained +up to the present day by the attacks.</p> + +<p>"Twenty-five thousand prisoners, three hundred +and fifty officers, a hundred and fifty guns, +a quantity of material which it has not yet +been possible to gauge, are the trophies of a +victory the echo of which throughout Europe +indicates its importance.</p> + +<p>"The sacrifices willingly made have not been +in vain. All have been able to take part in +the common task. The present is a sure guarantee +to us of the future.</p> + +<p>"The Commander-in-Chief is proud to command +the finest troops France has ever known.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +"<span class="smcap">J. Joffre.</span>"<br /> +</div> +</div> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Copyright, National Review, January, 1916.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Of all the brutal atrocities perpetrated by the +Germans in Belgium, none aroused such world-wide +horror and execration as the murder of +Edith Cavell, an English nurse, on the charge +of aiding English and Belgian soldiers who escaped +from Belgium in order to rejoin their +respective armies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span></p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE TRAGEDY OF EDITH<br /> +CAVELL</h2> + +<h3>BRAND WHITLOCK</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">The first +letter of +inquiry +not answered.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Reasons +given for +Miss +Cavell's +arrest.</div> + +<p>One day in August it was learned at the +Legation that an English nurse, named +Edith Cavell, had been arrested by the +Germans. I wrote a letter to the Baron von +der Lancken to ask if it was true that Miss +Cavell had been arrested, and saying that if +it were I should request that Maître de Leval, +the legal counselor of the Legation, be permitted +to see her and to prepare for her defense. +There was no reply to this letter, and on September +tenth I wrote a second letter, repeating +the questions and the requests made in the first. +On the twelfth of September I had a reply +from the Baron stating that Miss Cavell had +been arrested on the fifth of August, that she +was confined in the prison of St. Gilles, that +she had admitted having hidden English and +French soldiers in her home, as well as Belgians, +of an age to bear arms, all anxious to +get to the front, that she had admitted also +having furnished these soldiers with money to +get to France, and had provided guides to +enable them to cross the Dutch frontier; that +the defense of Miss Cavell was in the hands of +Maître Thomas Braun, and that inasmuch as +the German Government, on principle, would +not permit accused persons to have any interviews +whatever, he could not obtain permission +for Maître de Leval to visit Miss Cavell as long +as she was in solitary confinement.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">The +German +mentality.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +principle +that +power +makes +right.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +accused +without +rights.</div> + +<p>For one of our Anglo-Saxon race and legal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> +traditions to understand conditions in Belgium +during the German occupation, it is necessary +to banish resolutely from the mind every +conception of right we have inherited from our +ancestors—conceptions long since crystallized +into inimitable principles of law and confirmed +in our charters of liberty. In the German +mentality these conceptions do not exist; they +think in other sequences; they act according +to another principle, if it is a principle, the +conviction that there is only one right, one +privilege, and that it belongs exclusively to +Germany, the right, namely, to do whatever +they have the physical force to do. These so-called +courts, of whose arbitrary and irresponsible +and brutal nature I have tried to convey +some notion, were mere inquisitorial bodies, +guided by no principle save that of interest in +their own bloody nature; they did as they +pleased, and would have scorned a Jeffreys as +too lenient, a Lynch as too formal, a Spanish +<i>auto da fé</i> as too technical, and a tribunal of +the French Revolution as soft and sentimental. +Before them the accused had literally no rights, +not even to present a defense, and if he was +permitted to speak in his own behalf, it was +only as a generous and liberal favor.</p> + +<p>It was before such a court that Edith Cavell +was to be arraigned. I had asked Maître de +Leval to provide for her defense, and on his +advice, inasmuch as Maître Braun was already +of counsel in the case, chosen by certain friends +of Miss Cavell, I invited him into consultation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Personality +of +Edith +Cavell.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Miss +Cavell's +character +and +ability.</div> + +<p>Edith Cavell was a frail and delicate little +woman about forty years of age. She had come +to Brussels some years before the war to exercise +her calling as a trained nurse. She soon +became known to the leading physicians of the +capital and nursed in the homes of the leading +families. But she was ambitious, and devoted +to her profession, and ere long had entered a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> +nursing-home in the Rue de la Clinique, where +she organized for Doctor Depage a training-school +for nurses. She was a woman of refinement +and education; she knew French as she +knew her own language; she was deeply religious, +with a conscience almost puritan, and +was very stern with herself in what she conceived +to be her duty. In her training-school +she showed great executive ability, was firm in +matters of discipline, and brought it to a high +state of efficiency. And every one who knew +her in Brussels spoke of her with that unvarying +term of respect which her noble character +inspired.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mr. Whitlock +engages +a +defender.</div> + +<p>Some time before the trial, Maître Thomas +Braun announced to the Legation that for personal +reasons he would be obliged to withdraw +from the case, and asked that some one else +appear for Miss Cavell. We engaged Maître +Sadi Kirschen.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The court +martial +in the +Senate +chamber.</div> + +<p>It was the morning of Thursday, October +seventh, that the case came before the court +martial in the Senate chamber, where the military +trials always took place, and Miss Cavell +was arraigned with the Princess de Croy, the +Countess de Belleville, and thirty-two others. +The accused were seated in a circle facing the +court, in such a way that they could neither +see nor communicate with their own counsel, +who were compelled to sit behind them. Nor +could they see the witnesses, who were also +placed behind them.</p> + +<p>The charge brought against the accused was +that of having conspired to violate the German +Military Penal Code, punishing with death +those who conduct troops to the enemy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The trial +secret.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Miss +Cavell's +attitude.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Admits +aiding +English +soldiers.</div> + +<p>We have no record of that trial; we do not +know all that occurred there behind the closed +doors of that Senate chamber, where for fourscore +years laws based on another and more +enlightened principle of justice had been discussed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span> +Miss Cavell did not know, or knew +only in the vaguest manner, the offense with +which she was charged. She did not deny +having received at her hospital English soldiers +whom she nursed and to whom she gave money; +she did not deny that she knew they were going +to try to cross the border into Holland. She +even took a patriotic pride in the fact. She +was very calm. She was interrogated in German, +a language she did not understand, but +the questions and responses were translated +into French. Her mind was very alert, and she +was entirely self-possessed, and frequently +rectified any inexact details and statements +that were put to her. When, in her interrogatory, +she was asked if she had not aided +English soldiers left behind after the early +battles of the preceding Autumn about Mons +and Charleroi, she said yes; they were English +and she was English, and she would help her +own. The answer seemed to impress the court. +They asked her if she had not helped twenty.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said "more than twenty; two +hundred."</p> + +<p>"English?"</p> + +<p>"No, not all English; French and Belgians, +too."</p> + +<p>But the French and Belgians were not of her +own nationality, said the judge—and that made +a serious difference. She was subjected to a +nagging interrogatory. One of the judges said +that she had been foolish to aid the English +because, he said, the English are ungrateful.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Miss Cavell, "the English are +not ungrateful."</p> + +<p>"How do you know they are not?" asked the +inquisitor.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Miss Cavell +makes a +fatal admission.</div> + +<p>"Because," she answered, "some of them have +written to me from England to thank me."</p> + +<p>It was a fatal admission on the part of the +tortured little woman; under the German military<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> +law her having helped soldiers to reach +Holland, a neutral country, would have been +a less serious offense, but to aid them to reach +an enemy country, and especially England, was +the last offense in the eyes of the German military +court.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Rumor +that death +sentence +is asked.</div> + +<p>The trial was concluded on Saturday, and +on Sunday one of the nurses in Miss Cavell's +school came to tell me that there was a rumor +about town that the prosecuting officer had +asked the court to pronounce a sentence of +death in the cases of the Princess de Croy, the +Countess de Belleville, and of Miss Cavell, and +of several others. I remember to have said to +Maître de Leval, when he came up to my room +to report the astounding news:</p> + +<p>"That's only the usual exaggeration of the +prosecutor; they all ask for the extreme +penalty, everywhere, when they sum up their +cases."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Leval's +opinion of +German +courts.</div> + +<p>"Yes," said Maître de Leval, "and in German +courts they always get it."</p> + +<p>Maître de Leval sent a note to Maître Kirschen, +asking him to come on Monday, at eight-thirty +o'clock, to the Legation or to send a +word regarding Miss Cavell. Maître Kirschen +did not send Maître de Leval the word he had +requested, and on that Sunday, de Leval saw +another lawyer who had been on the case and +could tell him what had taken place at the +trial. The lawyer thought that the court martial +would not condemn Miss Cavell to death. +At any rate, no judgment had been pronounced, +and the judges themselves did not appear +to be in agreement.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Leval +asks to +see Miss +Cavell.</div> + +<p>On Monday, the eleventh of October, at eight-thirty +in the morning, Maître de Leval went to +the <i>Politische Abteilung</i> in the Rue Lambermont, +and found Conrad. He spoke to him of +the case of Miss Cavell and asked that, now +that the trial had taken place, he and the Reverend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> +Mr. Gahan, the rector of the English +church, be allowed to see Miss Cavell. Conrad +said he would make inquiries and inform de +Leval by telephone, and by one of the messengers +of the Legation who that morning happened +to deliver some papers to the <i>Politische +Abteilung</i>, Conrad sent word that neither the +Reverend Mr. Gahan nor Maître de Leval could +see Miss Cavell at that time, but that Maître +de Leval could see her as soon as the judgment +had been pronounced.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Waiting +for judgment +to +be pronounced.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Promise +to inform +the +Legation.</div> + +<p>At eleven-thirty o'clock on the Monday +morning, Maître de Leval himself telephoned +to Conrad, who repeated this statement. The +judgment had not yet been rendered, he said, +and Maître de Leval asked him to let him know +as soon as the judgment had been pronounced, +so that he might go to see Miss Cavell. Conrad +promised this, but added that even then the +Reverend Mr. Gahan could not see her, because +there were German Protestant pastors at the +prison, and that if Miss Cavell needed spiritual +advice or consolation she could call on them. +Conrad concluded this conversation by saying +that the judgment would be rendered on the +morrow, that is, on Tuesday, or the day after, +and that even when it had been pronounced it +would have to be signed by the Military +Governor, and that the Legation would be kept +informed.</p> + +<p>At twelve-ten on the Monday, not having +received any news from Maître Kirschen, Maître +de Leval went to his house, but did not find +him there, and left his card.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Leval +makes repeated +inquiries.</div> + +<p>At twelve-twenty o'clock, Maître de Leval +went to the house of the lawyer to whom reference +has already been made, and left word for +him to go to his home.</p> + +<p>At four o'clock that afternoon the lawyer +arrived at the Legation and said that he had +been to see the Germans at eleven o'clock, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span> +that there he had been told no judgment would +be pronounced before the following day. Before +leaving the Legation to go home, Maître +de Leval told to Gibson all that had happened, +and asked him to telephone again to +Conrad before going home himself. Then at +intervals all day long the inquiry had been +repeated, and the same response was made.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +chancellerie +was +closed for +the night.</div> + +<p>Monday evening at six-twenty o'clock, Belgian +time, Topping, one of the clerks of the Legation, +with Gibson standing by, again called +Conrad on the telephone, again was told that +the judgment had not been pronounced, and +that the Political Department would not fail to +inform the Legation the moment the judgment +was confirmed. And the <i>chancellerie</i> was +closed for the night.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A nurse +informs +Leval of +the death +sentence.</div> + +<p>At nine o'clock that Monday evening, Maître +de Leval appeared suddenly at the door of my +chamber; his face was deadly pallid; he said +that he had just heard from the nurse who kept +him informed, that the judgment had been confirmed +and that the sentence of death had been +pronounced on Miss Cavell at half-past four +o'clock that afternoon, and that she was to be +shot at two o'clock the next morning. It +seemed preposterous, especially the immediate +execution of sentence; there had always been +time at least to prepare and present a plea for +mercy. To condemn a woman in the evening +and then to hurry her out to be shot before +another dawn! Impossible! It could not be!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Judgment +read in +the afternoon.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Plea for +mercy had +been prepared.</div> + +<p>But no; Maître de Leval was certain. That +evening he had gone home and was writing at +his table when about eight o'clock two nurses +were introduced. One was Miss Wilkinson, +little and nervous, all in tears; the other, taller +and more calm. Miss Wilkinson said that she +had just learned that the judgment of the +court condemned Miss Cavell to death, that +the judgment had been read to her in her cell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> +at four-thirty that afternoon, and that the +Germans were going to shoot her that night at +two o'clock. Maître de Leval told her that it +was difficult to believe such news, since twice +he had been told that the judgment had not +been rendered and that it would not be rendered +before the following day, but on her +reiteration that she had this news from a source +that was absolutely certain, de Leval left at +once with her and her friends and came to the +Legation. And there he stood, pale and shaken. +Even then I could not believe; it was too preposterous; +surely a stay of execution would be +granted. Already in the afternoon, in some +premonition, Maître de Leval had prepared a +plea for mercy, to be submitted to the Governor-General, +and a letter of transmittal to present +to the Baron von der Lancken. I asked Maître +de Leval to bring me these documents and I +signed them, and then, at the last minute, on +the letter addressed to von der Lancken, I +wrote these words:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mr. Whitlock's +personal +appeal.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Baron</span>:</p> + +<p>"I am too sick to present my request to you +in person, but I appeal to your generosity of +heart to support it, and save this unfortunate +woman from death. Have pity on her."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">Search +for the +Spanish +ambassador.</div> + +<p>I told Maître de Leval to send Joseph at +once to hunt up Gibson to present my plea and, +if possible, to find the Marquis de Villalobar +and to ask him to support it with the Baron +von der Lancken. Gibson was dining somewhere; +we did not know where Villalobar was. +The <i>Politische Abteilung</i>, in the Ministry of +Industry, where Baron von der Lancken lived, +was only half a dozen blocks away. The +Governor-General was in his château at Trois +Fontaines, ten miles away, playing bridge +that evening. Maître de Leval went; and I +waited.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span></p> + +<p>The nurses from Miss Cavell's school were +waiting in a lower room; other nurses came +for news; they, too, had heard, but could not +believe. Then the Reverend Mr. H. Stirling +T. Gahan, the British chaplain at Brussels and +pastor of the English church, came. He had a +note from some one at the St. Gilles prison, a +note written in German, saying simply:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">English +rector +summoned.</div> + +<p>"Come at once; some one is about to die."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A delay +of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'executive'">execution</ins> +expected.</div> + +<p>He went away to the prison; his frail, delicate +little wife remained at the Legation, and +there, with my wife and Miss Larner, sat with +those women all that long evening, trying to +comfort them, to reassure them. Outside a +cold rain was falling. Up in my chamber I +waited; a stay of execution would be granted, +of course; they always were; there was not, in +our time, anywhere, a court, even a court +martial, that would condemn a woman to death +at half-past four in the afternoon and hurry her +out and shoot her before dawn—not even a +German court martial.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Miss +Cavell +calm and +courageous.</div> + +<p>When Mr. Gahan arrived at the prison that +night Miss Cavell was lying on the narrow cot +in her cell; she arose, drew on a dressing gown, +folded it about her thin form, and received him +calmly. She had never expected such an end +to the trial, but she was brave and was not +afraid to die. The judgment had been read to +her that afternoon, there in her cell. She had +written letters to her mother in England and +to certain of her friends, and entrusted them +to the German authorities.</p> + +<p>She did not complain of her trial; she had +avowed all, she said; and it is one of the saddest, +bitterest ironies of the whole tragedy +that she seems not to have known that all she +had avowed was not sufficient, even under +German law, to justify the judgment passed +upon her. The German chaplain had been +kind, and she was willing for him to be with her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> +at the last, if Mr. Gahan could not be. Life +had not been all happy for her, she said, and +she was glad to die for her country. Life had +been hurried, and she was grateful for these +weeks of rest in prison.</p> + +<p>"Patriotism is not enough," she said, "I +must have no hatred and no bitterness toward +any one."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Notes +made in +Bible and +prayer-book.</div> + +<p>She received the sacrament, she had no +hatred for any one, and she had no regrets. +In the touching report that Mr. Gahan made +there is a statement, one of the last that Edith +Cavell ever made, which, in its exquisite pathos, +illuminates the whole of that life of stern duty, +of human service and martyrdom. She said +that she was grateful for the six weeks of rest +she had just before the end. During those +weeks she had read and reflected; her companions +and her solace were her Bible, her +prayer-book and the "Imitation of Christ." The +notes she made in these books reveal her +thoughts in that time, and will touch the uttermost +depths of any nature nourished in that +beautiful faith which is at once so tender and +so austere. The prayer-book with those laconic +entries on its fly-leaf, in which she set down +the sad and eloquent chronology of her fate, +the copy of the "Imitation" which she had +read and marked during those weeks in prison—weeks, +which, as she so pathetically said, had +given her rest and quiet and time to think in a +life that had been "so hurried"—and the passages +noted in her firm hand have a deep and +appealing pathos.</p> + +<p>Just before the end, too, as I have said, she +wrote a number of letters. She forgot no one. +Among the letters that she left one was addressed +to the nurses of her school; and there +was a message for a girl who was trying to +break herself of the morphine habit—Miss +Cavell had been trying to help her, and she sent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span> +her word to be brave, and that if God would +permit she would continue to try to help her.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The petitioners +fail.</div> + +<p>Midnight came, and Gibson, with a dark +face, and de Leval, paler than ever. There +was nothing to be done.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Errand of +Marquis +Villalobar, +Gibson +and de +Leval.</div> + +<p>De Leval had gone to Gibson, and together +they went in search of the Marquis, whom they +found at Baron Lambert's, where he had been +dining; he and Baron Lambert and M. Francqui +were over their coffee. The three, the +Marquis, Gibson and de Leval, then went to +the Rue Lambermont. The little Ministry was +closed and dark; no one was there. They rang, +and rang again, and finally the <i>concierge</i> appeared—no +one was there, he said. They insisted. +The <i>concierge</i> at last found a German +functionary who came down, stood staring +stupidly; every one was gone; <i>son Excellence</i> +was at the theater. At what theater? He did +not know. They urged him to go and find out. +He disappeared inside, went up and down +stairs two or three times, finally came out +and said that he was at Le Bois Sacré. They +explained that the presence of the Baron was +urgent and asked the man to go for him; +they turned over the motor to him and he +mounted on the box beside Eugene. They +reached the little variety theater there in the +Rue d'Arenberg. The German functionary +went in and found the Baron, who said he +could not come before the piece was over.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +sad wait +for der +Lancken.</div> + +<p>All this while Villalobar, Gibson and de +Leval were in the salon at the Ministry, the +room of which I have spoken so often as the +yellow salon, because of the satin upholstery of +its Louis XVI. furniture of white lacquer—that +bright, almost laughing little salon, all done in +the gayest, lightest tones, where so many little +dramas were played. All three of them were +deeply moved and very anxious—the eternal +contrast, as de Leval said, between things and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> +sentiments. Lancken entered at last, very +much surprised to find them; he was accompanied +by Count Harrach and by the young +Baron von Falkenhausen.</p> + +<p>"What is it, gentlemen?" he said. "Has +something serious happened?"</p> + +<p>They told him why they were there, and +Lancken, raising his hands, said:</p> + +<p>"<i>Impossible!</i>"</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'De-'">Der</ins> +Lancken +believes +the rumor +false.</div> + +<p>He had vaguely heard that afternoon of a +condemnation for spying, but he did not know +that it had anything to do with the case of +Miss Cavell, and in any event it was impossible +that they would put a woman to death that +night.</p> + +<p>"Who has given you this information? Because, +to come and disturb me at such an hour +you must have actual information," he said.</p> + +<p>De Leval replied: "Without doubt I consider +it so, but I must refuse to tell you from whom I +received the information. Besides, what difference +does it make? If the information is +true, our presence at this hour is justified; if +it is not true, I am ready to take the consequences +of my mistake."</p> + +<p>The Baron grew irritated.</p> + +<p>"What," he said, "is it on the hint of mere +rumor that you come and disturb me at such +an hour, me and these gentlemen? No, no, +gentlemen, this news can not be true. Orders +are never executed with such precipitation, especially +when a woman is concerned. Come +and see me to-morrow. Besides, how do you +think that at this hour I can obtain any information? +The Governor-General must certainly +be sleeping."</p> + +<p>Gibson, or one of them, suggested to him +that a very simple way of finding out would +be to telephone to the prison.</p> + +<p>"Quite right," said he. "I had not thought +of that."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span></p> + +<p>He went out, was gone a few minutes and +came back embarrassed, so they said, even a +little bit ashamed, for he said:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The sad +news confirmed.</div> + +<p>"You are right, gentlemen; I have heard by +telephone that Miss Cavell has been condemned +and that she will be shot to-night."</p> + +<p>Then de Leval drew out the letter that I had +written to the Baron and gave it to him, and he +read it in an undertone—with a little sardonic +smile, de Leval said—and when he had finished +he handed it back to de Leval and said:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +plea for +mercy.</div> + +<p>"But it is necessary to have a plea for mercy +at the same time."</p> + +<p>"Here it is," said de Leval, and gave him the +document. Then they all sat down.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Von der +Lancken's +attitude.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Miss +Cavell +not a spy.</div> + +<p>I could see the scene as it was described to +me by Villalobar, by Gibson, by de Leval, in +that pretty little Louis XVI. salon that I knew +so well—Lancken giving way to an outburst +of feeling against "that spy," as he called Miss +Cavell, and Gibson and de Leval by turns pleading +with him, the Marquis sitting by. It was +not a question of spying as they pointed out; +it was a question of the life of a woman, a +life that had been devoted to charity, to helping +others. She had nursed wounded soldiers, +she had even nursed German wounded at the +beginning of the war, and now she was accused +of but one thing: having helped English +soldiers make their way toward Holland. She +may have been imprudent, she may have acted +against the laws of the occupying power, but +she was not a spy, she was not even accused of +being a spy, she had not been convicted of spying, +and she did not merit the death of a spy. +They sat there pleading, Gibson and de Leval, +bringing forth all the arguments that would +occur to men of sense and sensibility. Gibson +called Lancken's attention to their failure to +inform the Legation of the sentence, of their +failure to keep the word that Conrad had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> +given. He argued that the offense charged +against Miss Cavell had long since been accomplished, +that as she had been for some +weeks in prison a slight delay in carrying out +the sentence could not endanger the German +cause; he even pointed out the effect such a +deed as the summary execution of the death +sentence against a woman would have upon +public opinion, not only in Belgium, but in +America, and elsewhere; he even spoke of the +possibility of reprisals.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +military +authority +supreme.</div> + +<p>But it was all in vain. Baron von der +Lancken explained to them that the Military +Governor, that is, General von Saubersweig, +was the supreme authority in matters of this +sort, that an appeal from his decision lay only +to the Emperor, that the Governor-General +himself had no authority to intervene in such +cases, and that under the provisions of German +martial law it lay within the discretion of +the Military Governor whether he would accept +or refuse an appeal for clemency. And then +Villalobar suddenly cried out:</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now! It's a woman; you can't +shoot a woman like that!"</p> + +<p>The Baron paused, was evidently moved.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "it is past eleven +o'clock; what can be done?"</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Lancken +goes to +von +Saubersweig.</div> + +<p>It was only von Saubersweig who could act, +he had said, and they urged the Baron to go +to see von Saubersweig. Finally he consented. +While he was gone Villalobar, Gibson and de +Leval repeated to Harrach and von Falkenhausen +all the arguments that might move +them. Von Falkenhausen was young, he had +been to Cambridge in England, and he was +touched, though of course he was powerless. +And de Leval says that when he gave signs of +showing pity, Harrach cast a glance at him, +so that he said nothing more, and then Harrach +said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The life of one German soldier seems to us +much more important than that of all these old +English nurses."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Lancken's +return.</div> + +<p>At last Lancken returned and, standing +there, announced:</p> + +<p>"I am exceedingly sorry, but the Governor +tells me that only after due reflection was the +execution decided upon, and that he will not +change his decision. Under his prerogative he +even refuses to receive the plea for mercy. +Therefore, no one, not even the Emperor, can +do anything for you."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The plea +for mercy +handed +back.</div> + +<p>With this he handed my letter and the +<i>requête en grace</i> back to Gibson. There was +a moment of silence in the yellow salon. Then +Villalobar sprang up and seizing Lancken by +the shoulder said to him in an energetic tone:</p> + +<p>"Baron, I wish to speak to you."</p> + +<p>"It is useless," began Lancken.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Marquis +Villalobar +pleads.</div> + +<p>But the old Spanish pride had been mounting +in the Marquis, and he literally dragged the +tall von der Lancken into a little room near +by, and then voices were heard in sharp discussion, +and even through the partition the +voice of Villalobar:</p> + +<p>"It is idiotic, this thing you are going to do; +you will have another Louvain."</p> + +<p>A few moments later they came back, Villalobar +in silent rage, Lancken very red. And, as +de Leval said, without another word, dumb, in +consternation, filled with an immense despair, +they came away.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +messengers +withdraw.</div> + +<p>I heard the report, and they withdrew. A +little while and I heard the street door open. +The women who had waited all that night +went out into the rain.</p> + +<p>The rain had ceased and the air was soft and +warm the next morning; the sunlight shone +through an autumn haze. But over the city +the horror of the dreadful deed hung like a +pall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Other +prisoners +condemned.</div> + +<p>Twenty-six others were condemned with +Miss Cavell, four of whom were sentenced to +death: Philippe Baucq, an architect of Brussels; +Louise Thuiliez, a school-teacher at Lille; +Louis Severin, a pharmacist of Brussels; and +the Countess Jeanne de Belleville of Montignies-sur-Roc.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Severe +sentences.</div> + +<p>Harman Capian, a civil engineer of Wasmes; +Mrs. Ada Bodart of Brussels; Albert Libiez, a +lawyer of Wasmes; and Georges Derveau, a +pharmacist of Pâturages, were sentenced each +to fifteen years' penal servitude at hard labor.</p> + +<p>The Princess Maria de Croy was sentenced +to ten years' penal servitude at hard labor.</p> + +<p>Seventeen others were sentenced to hard +labor or to terms of imprisonment of from two +to five years. The eight remaining were acquitted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The people +horrified +at Miss +Cavell's +execution.</div> + +<p>All day long sad and solemn groups stood +under the trees in the boulevards amid the +falling leaves discussing the crime in horrified +tones. The horror of it pervaded the house. +I found my wife weeping at evening; no need +to ask what was the matter; the wife of the +chaplain had been there, with some detail of +Miss Cavell's last hours: how she had arisen +wearily from her cot at the coming of the +clergyman, drawing her dressing-gown about +her thin throat.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The body +not given +to friends.</div> + +<p>I sent a note to Baron von der Lancken +asking that the Governor-General permit the +body of Miss Cavell to be buried by the American +Legation and the friends of the dead girl. +In reply he came himself to see me in the afternoon. +He was very solemn, and said that he +wished to express his regret in the circumstances, +but that he had done all he could. +The body, he said, had already been interred, +with respect and with religious rites, in a quiet +place, and under the law it could not be exhumed +without an order from the Imperial<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> +Government. The Governor-General himself +had gone to Berlin.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Whitlock +and +Villalobar.</div> + +<p>And then came Villalobar, and I thanked +him for what he had done. He told me much, +and described the scene the night before in +that anteroom with Lancken. The Marquis +was much concerned about the Countess Jeanne +de Belleville and Madame Thuiliez, both +French, and hence protégées of his, condemned +to die within eight days; but I told him not to +be concerned; that the effect of Miss Cavell's +martyrdom did not end with her death; it +would procure other liberations, this among +them; the thirst for blood had been slaked and +there would be no more executions in that +group; it was the way of the law of blood +vengeance. We talked a long time about the +tragedy and about the even larger tragedy of +the war.</p> + +<p>"We are getting old," he said. "Life is +going; and after the war, if we live in that new +world, we shall be of the old—the new generation +will push us aside."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Miss +Cavell's +death wins +mercy for +others.</div> + +<p>Gibson and de Leval prepared reports of the +whole matter, and I sent them by the next +courier to our Embassy at London. But somehow +that very day the news got into Holland +and shocked the world. Richards, of the +C. R. B., just back from The Hague, said that +they had already heard of it there and were +filled with horror. And even the Germans, +who seemed always to do a deed and to consider +its effect afterward, knew that they had +another Louvain, another <i>Lusitania</i>, for which +to answer before the bar of civilization. The +lives of the three others remaining, of the five +condemned to death, were ultimately spared, +as I had told Villalobar they would be. The +King of Spain and the President of the United +States made representations at Berlin in behalf +of the Countess de Belleville and Madame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> +Thuiliez, and their sentences were commuted +to imprisonment, as was that of Louis Severin, +the Brussels druggist. The storm of universal +loathing and reprobation for the deed was too +much even for the Germans.</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Copyright, Delineator, November, 1918.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In an earlier chapter we have read of the beginning +of the attempt to cross the Dardanelles +and to capture the Peninsula of Gallipoli. After +great losses and terrible suffering had been endured +in these attempts, it was decided in December, +1915, by the British war authorities that +further sacrifices were not justified. Preparations +were accordingly made to abandon the +enterprise. How these plans were carried out +is told in the chapter following.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span></p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GALLIPOLI ABANDONED</h2> + +<h3>GENERAL SIR CHARLES C. MONRO</h3> + + +<p>On October 20, 1915, in London, I received +instructions to proceed as soon as possible +to the Near East and take over the +command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary +Force.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Monro's +orders on +arrival.</div> + +<p>My duty on arrival was in broad outline:</p> + +<p>(a) To report on the military situation on +the Gallipoli Peninsula.</p> + +<p>(b) To express an opinion whether on purely +military grounds the Peninsula should be +evacuated or another attempt made to carry it.</p> + +<p>(c) The number of troops that would be required—</p> + +<p>(1) To carry the Peninsula.</p> + +<p>(2) To keep the strait open, and</p> + +<p>(3) To take Constantinople.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Military +defects in +positions +occupied.</div> + +<p>The positions occupied by our troops presented +a military situation unique in history. +The mere fringe of the coast line had been secured. +The beaches and piers upon which they +depended for all requirements in personnel and +material were exposed to registered and observed +artillery fire. Our intrenchments were +dominated almost throughout by the Turks. +The possible artillery positions were insufficient +and defective. The force, in short, held a line +possessing every possible military defect. The +position was without depth, the communications +were insecure and dependent on the +weather.</p> + +<p>No means existed for the concealment and +deployment of fresh troops destined for the +offensive—while the Turks enjoyed full powers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> +of observation, abundant artillery positions, +and they <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word not present in the original">had</ins> been given the time to supplement +the natural advantages which the position +presented by all the devices at the disposal of +the field engineer.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Disease, +loss of +competent +officers, +make-shift +organization.</div> + +<p>Another material factor came prominently +before me. The troops on the Peninsula had +suffered much from various causes—exposure +to shell fire, disease, the dearth of competent +officers owing to earlier losses, and "make-shifts" +due to the attachment of Yeomanry +and Mounted Brigades to the Territorial +Divisions. Other arguments, irrefutable in +their conclusions, convinced me that a complete +evacuation was the only wise course to +pursue.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Consequences +of +unusual +storms.</div> + +<p>On November 21, 1915 the Peninsula was +visited by a storm said to be nearly unprecedented +for the time of the year. The storm +was accompanied by torrential rain, which +lasted for twenty-four hours. This was followed +by hard frost and a heavy blizzard. In +the areas of the Eighth Corps and the Anzac +Corps the effects were not felt to a very marked +degree owing to the protection offered by the +surrounding hills. The Ninth Corps was less +favorably situated, the water courses in this +area became converted into surging rivers, +which carried all before them. The water rose +in many places to the height of the parapets +and all means of communications were prevented.</p> + +<p>The men, drenched as they were by the +rain, suffered from the subsequent blizzard +most severely. Large numbers collapsed from +exposure and exhaustion, and in spite of untiring +efforts that were made to mitigate the +suffering I regret to announce that there were +200 deaths from exposure and over 10,000 sick +evacuated during the first few days of December.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span></p> + +<p>From reports given by deserters it is probable +that the Turks suffered even to a greater +degree.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Difficulties +pertaining to +withdrawal.</div> + +<p>The problem with which we were confronted +was the withdrawal of an army of a considerable +size from positions in no cases more than +300 yards from the enemy's trenches, and its +embarkation on open beaches, every part of +which was within effective range of Turkish +guns, and from which in winds from the south +or southwest, the withdrawal of troops was +not possible.</p> + +<p>I came to the conclusion that our chances +of success were infinitely more probable if we +made no departure of any kind from the normal +life which we were following both on sea +and on land. A feint which did not fully fulfill +its purpose would have been worse than +useless, and there was the obvious danger that +the suspicions of the Turks would be aroused +by our adoption of a course the real purport +of which could not have been long +disguised.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Unsettled +weather a +menace.</div> + +<p>Rapidity of action was imperative, having +in view the unsettled weather which might be +expected in the Ægean. The success of our +operations was entirely dependent on weather +conditions. Even a mild wind from the south +or southwest was found to raise such a ground +swell as to greatly impede communication with +the beaches, while anything in the nature of +a gale from this direction could not fail to +break up the piers, wreck the small craft, and +thus definitely prevent any steps being taken +toward withdrawal.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Evacuation +of +supplies +continues +satisfactorily.</div> + +<p>Throughout the period December 10 to 18, +1915 the withdrawal proceeded under the most +auspicious conditions, and the morning of December +18, 1915, found the positions both at +Anzac and Suvla reduced to the numbers determined, +while the evacuation of guns, animals,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span> +stores, and supplies had continued most satisfactorily.</p> + +<p>It was imperative, of course, that the front-line +trenches should be held, however lightly, +until the very last moment and that the withdrawal +from these trenches should be simultaneous +throughout the line.</p> + +<p>The good fortune which had attended the +evacuation continued during the night of the +19th-20th. The night was perfectly calm with +a slight haze over the moon, an additional +stroke of good luck, as there was a full moon +on that night.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Final +withdrawals +from +Anzac and +Suvla.</div> + +<p>Soon after dark the covering ships were all +in position, and the final withdrawal began. +At 1:30 A. M. the withdrawal of the rear +parties commenced from the front trenches at +Suvla and the left of Anzac. Those on the +right of Anzac who were nearer the beach remained +in position until 2 A. M. By 5:30 A. M. +the last man had quit the trenches.</p> + +<p>At Anzac, four 18-pounder guns, two 5-inch +howitzers, one 4.7 naval gun, one anti-air craft, +and two 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns were left, +but they were destroyed before the troops +finally embarked. In addition, fifty-six mules, +a certain number of carts, mostly stripped of +their wheels, and some supplies which were +set on fire, were also abandoned.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">A few +supplies +destroyed.</div> + +<p>At Suvla every gun, vehicle and animal was +embarked, and all that remained was a small +stock of supplies, which were burned.</p> + +<p>On December 28, 1915, your Lordship's telegram +ordering the evacuation of Helles was received, +whereupon, in view of the possibility of +bad weather intervening, I instructed the General +Officer Commanding Dardanelles Army to +complete the operation as rapidly as possible. +He was reminded that every effort conditional +on not exposing the personnel to undue risk +should be made to save all 60-pounder and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> +18-pounder guns, 6-inch and 4.5 howitzers, +with their ammunition and other accessories, +such as mules, and A. T. carts, limbered +wagons, &c.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Situation +on Gallipoli +Peninsula.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Increase +in Turkish +artillery.</div> + +<p>At a meeting which was attended by the +Vice Admiral and the General Officer Commanding +Dardanelles Army I explained the +course which I thought we should adopt to +again deceive the Turks as to our intentions. +The situation on the Peninsula had not materially +changed owing to our withdrawal from +Suvla and Anzac, except that there was a +marked increased activity in aerial reconnoissance +over our positions, and the islands of +Mudros and Imbros, and that hostile patrolling +of our trenches was more frequent and daring. +The most apparent factor was that the number +of heavy guns on the European and Asiatic +shores had been considerably augmented, and +that these guns were more liberally supplied +with German ammunition, the result of which +was that our beaches were continuously shelled, +especially from the Asiatic shore. I gave it as +my opinion that in my judgment I did not regard +a feint as an operation offering any prospect +of success; and it was decided the navy +should do their utmost to pursue a course of +retaliation against the Turkish batteries, +but to refrain from any unusually aggressive +attitude should the Turkish guns remain +quiescent.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General +Birdwood's +comprehensive +plans.</div> + +<p>General Sir W. Birdwood had, in anticipation +of being ordered to evacuate Helles, made such +complete and far-seeing arrangements that he +was able to proceed without delay to the issue +of the comprehensive orders which the consummation +of such a delicate operation in war +requires.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">French +infantry +embarked.</div> + +<p>The evacuation, following the same system +as was practiced at Suvla and Anzac, proceeded +without delay. The French infantry remaining<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> +on the Peninsula were relieved on the night of +January 1-2, 1916, and were embarked by the +French navy on the following nights. Progress, +however, was slower than had been hoped, owing +to delays caused by accident and the +weather. One of our largest horse ships was +sunk by a French battleship, whereby the withdrawal +was considerably retarded, and at the +same time strong winds sprang up which interfered +materially with work on the beaches. +The character of the weather now setting in +offered so little hope of a calm period of any +duration that General Sir W. Birdwood arranged +with Admiral Sir J. de Robeck for the +assistance of some destroyers in order to accelerate +the progress of re-embarkation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Turks +shell +trenches +and +beaches.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile the Eighth Corps had maintained +the offensive spirit in bombing and minor operations +with which they had established the +moral superiority they enjoyed over the enemy. +On December 29, 1915 the Fifty-second Division +completed the excellent work which they had +been carrying out for so long by capturing a +considerable portion of the Turkish trenches, +and by successfully holding these in the face +of repeated counter-attacks. The shelling of +our trenches and beaches, however, increased +in frequency and intensity, and the average +daily casualties continued to increase.</p> + +<p>On January 7, 1916, the enemy developed +heavy artillery fire on the trenches held by +the Thirteenth Division, while the Asiatic guns +shelled those occupied by the Royal Naval Division. +The bombardment, which was reported +to be the heaviest experienced since we landed +in April, lasted from noon until 5 P. M., and +was intensive between 3 and 3:30 P. M.</p> + +<p>January 8, 1916 was a bright, calm day, with +a light breeze from the south. There was every +indication of the continuance of favorable conditions, +and, in the opinion of the meteorological<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> +officer, no important change was to be expected +for at least twenty-four hours. The +Turkish artillery was unusually inactive. All +preparations for the execution of the final stage +were complete.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Unfavorable +weather.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Hostile +submarine +near by.</div> + +<p>About 7 P. M. the breeze freshened considerably +from the southwest, the most unfavorable +quarter, but the first trip, timed for 8 P. M., +was dispatched without difficulty. The wind, +however, continued to rise until, by 11 P. M., +the connecting pier between the hulks and +the shore at "W" Beach was washed away by +heavy seas, and further embarkation into destroyers +from these hulks became impracticable. +In spite of these difficulties the second trips, +which commenced at 11:30 P. M., were carried +out well up to time, and the embarkation of +guns continued uninterruptedly. Early in the +evening reports had been received from the +right flank that a hostile submarine was believed +to be moving down the strait, and about +midnight H. M. S. <i>Prince George</i>, which had +embarked 2,000 men, and was sailing for +Mudros, reported she was struck by a torpedo +which failed to explode. The indications of the +presence of a submarine added considerably +to the anxiety for the safety of the troop carriers, +and made it necessary for the Vice Admiral +to modify the arrangements made for +the subsequent bombardment of the evacuated +positions.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Gully +Beach +embarkation +completed.</div> + +<p>At 1:50 A. M., Gully Beach reported that +the embarkation at that beach was complete, +and that the lighters were about to push off, +but at 2:10 A. M. a telephone message was received +that one of the lighters was aground +and could not be refloated. The N. T. O. at +once took all possible steps to have another +lighter sent in to Gully Beach, and this was, as +a matter of fact, done within an hour, but in +the meantime, at 2:30 A. M. it was decided to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> +move the 160 men who had been relanded from +the grounded lighter to "W" Beach and embark +them there.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Conflagrations +show +Turks the +allies have +withdrawn.</div> + +<p>At 3:30 A. M. the evacuation was complete, +and abandoned heaps of stores and supplies +were successfully set on fire by time fuses after +the last man had embarked. Two magazines of +ammunition and explosives were also successfully +blown up at 4 A. M. These conflagrations +were apparently the first intimation +received by the Turks that we had withdrawn. +Red lights were immediately discharged +from the enemy's trenches, and heavy artillery +fire opened on our trenches and beaches. +This shelling was maintained until about +6:30 A. M.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Good +luck and +skilled +organization +forthcoming.</div> + +<p>Apart from four unserviceable fifteen-pounders +which had been destroyed earlier in the +month, ten worn-out fifteen-pounders, one six-inch +Mark VII gun, and six old heavy French +guns, all of which were previously blown up, +were left on the Peninsula. In addition to the +above, 508 animals, most of which were destroyed, +and a number of vehicles and considerable +quantities of stores, material, and supplies, +all of which were destroyed by burning, had to +be abandoned.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Competent +officers in +charge.</div> + +<p>The entire evacuation of the Peninsula had +now been completed. It demanded for its successful +realization two important military essentials, +viz., good luck and skilled disciplined +organization, and they were both forthcoming +to a marked degree at the hour needed. Our +luck was in the ascendant by the marvelous +spell of calm weather which prevailed. But we +were able to turn to the fullest advantage these +accidents of fortune.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant General Sir W. Birdwood and +his corps commanders elaborated and prepared +the orders in reference to the evacuation with a +skill, competence, and courage which could not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span> +have been surpassed, and we had a further +stroke of good fortune in being associated with +Vice Admiral Sir J. de Robeck, K. C. B., Vice +Admiral Wemyss, and a body of naval officers +whose work remained throughout this anxious +period at that standard of accuracy and professional +ability which is beyond the power of +criticism or cavil.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The form of "frightfulness" in which the +Germans placed the greatest faith was the terrorizing +of the inhabitants of unprotected +enemy cities by bombs from Zeppelins and +aeroplanes. While the objects for which these +atrocities were perpetrated were not attained, +hundreds of innocent men, women, and children +were murdered. The following narrative +describes one of these German air raids.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span></p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE DEATH-SHIP IN THE SKY</h2> + +<h3>PERRITON MAXWELL</h3> + + +<div class="sidenote">The +switchman +at Walthamstow.</div> + +<p>For twenty-six years old Tom Cumbers had +held his job as switchman at the Walthamstow +railroad junction where the +London-bound trains come up from Southend +to the great city. It was an important post +and old Tom filled it with stolid British efficiency. +A kindly man who felt himself an +integral part of the giant railroad system that +employed him, old Tom had few interests beyond +his work, his white-haired wife, his reeking +pipe and the little four-room tenement in +Walthamstow which he called home. The +latter was one of the thousands of two-storied +rabbit-hatches of sooty, yellow brick, all alike +and all incredibly ugly, which stretch, mile +upon mile, from Walthamstow toward London's +tumultuous heart.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The workshops +near +Epping +Forest.</div> + + + +<div class="sidenote">An +appalling +tragedy +of the +war.</div> + +<p>Within a radius of four dun miles, just on +the nearer edge of Epping Forest—the scene +in a forgotten day of Robin Hood's adventurings—a +section of these huddling homes of the +submerged, together with a street of trams and +some pathetic shops, constitute this town of +Walthamstow. It is a sordid, unlovely place, +but for some ten thousand wage-strugglers it +is all of England. There are workshops hereabout +in which one may mingle one's copious +sweat with the grime of machinery and have +fourteen shillings a week into the bargain—if +one is properly skilled and muscular and +bovinely plodding. Walthamstow is not the +place where one would deliberately choose to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span> +live if bread could be earned elsewhere with +equal certainty. But for all its dirt and dullness +it has a spot on the map and a meaning +in the dull souls of its inhabitants, and here, +within half an hour's train travel of the Lord +Mayor's Mansion and the golden vaults of the +Bank of England, transpired on the sweltering +night of which I write, one of the most +witless and appalling tragedies of the present +war. Forever memorable in the hitherto colorless +calendar of Walthamstow will be this +tragedy in the second year of Armageddon.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">An +ordinary +hot night.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">News of +the war.</div> + +<p>Beyond the stenchful heat-stress of it, there +was nothing up to half-past eleven to mark +this night as different from its fellows of the +past. From eight o'clock till ten the small activities +of the town centered chiefly about its +tramway terminus, its smudgy station, its +three or four moving-picture theatres, and its +fetid pubs. On the pavements, in the roadways +and at every crossing, corduroyed men yawned +and spat, and slatternly women, most of them +with whimpering infants in their arms, talked +of shop or household cares and the frailties of +their neighbors. Some, more alive to the big +events of a clashing world, repeated the meagre +news of the ha'penny press and dwelt with +prideful fervor on the latest bit of heroism reported +from the front. Now and again an outburst +of raucous humor echoed above the babble +of cockney tongues. The maudlin clamor of "a +pore lone lidy 'oos 'subing 'ad desarted 'er" +failed to arouse anyone's curiosity. Ladies in +their cups are not a rarity in Walthamstow. +In side streets, lads in khaki, many of them +fresh from fields of slaughter "somewhere in +Flanders," sported boisterously with their +factory-girl sweethearts or spooned in the +shadows. Everywhere grubby children in scant +clothing shrilled and scampered and got in the +way. Humidity enveloped the town like a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> +sodden cloak and its humanity stewed in moist +and smelly discomfort.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Street +lamps out.</div> + +<p>But shortly after eleven o'clock the whole +place became suddenly and majestically still +and black. People who go to their work at +sunrise cannot afford the extravagance of midnight +revelry, and there are few street-lamps +alight after ten o'clock in any London suburb +in these times of martial law. Walthamstow +slept in heated but profound oblivion of its +mean existence. Beyond the town lay, like a +prostrate giant camel, the heat-blurred silhouette +of the classic forest. Low over Walthamstow +hung the festoons of flat, humid +clouds, menacing storm, but motionless.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +rhythm +of the +Zeppelin.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The train +to serve +as pilot to +London.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The +Zeppelin +forced to +travel low.</div> + +<p>If there was no disturbance in the clouds +themselves there was among them something +very active, something that drilled its way +through them with a muffled whirring, something +that was oblong and lean and light of +texture, that was ominous and menacing for +all its buoyancy. The sound it made was too +high up, too thickly shrouded by clouds, to +determine its precise position. It gave forth +a breathing of persistent, definite rhythm. +This was plainly not the wing-stroke of a nocturnal +bird; for no bird, big or little, could +advertise its flight in such perfect pulsation. +And yet it was a bird, a Gargantuan, man-made +bird with murder in its talons and hatred +in its heart. From its steel nest in Germanized +Belgium this whirring monster had soared +eight thousand feet and crossed the Channel +with little fear of discovery. It had penetrated +the English Coast somewhere down Sheerness +way and over Southend and then, dropping +lower, had sought and found through the haze +the tiny train whose locomotive had just fluted +its brief salutation to Walthamstow. To the +close-cropped men on the Zeppelin, the string +of cars far down under their feet, with its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> +side-flare from lighted windows, its engine's +headlamp and its sparks, had proved a providential +pilotage. They knew that this train +was on the main line, and that it would lead +them straight to the great Liverpool Street +Station, and that was London, and it was London +wharfs and ammunition works along the +Thames that they had planned to obliterate +with their cylinders of mechanical doom. But +the moist clouds which aided so materially in +hiding the Zeppelin's presence from below also +worked for its defeat, in so far as its ultimate +objective was concerned, for to keep the guiding +train in view it was compelled to travel +lower and yet lower—so low, indeed, as to +make it a target for Kitchener's sentinels.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +switchman +signals +"danger."</div> + +<div class="sidenote">The train +stops at +Walthamstow.</div> + +<p>Somehow, by sight or intuition or the instant +commingling of the two, old Tom Cumbers became +aware of the danger above him; for he +sprang to his switch, shut off all the cheery +blue and white lights along "the line" and +swung on with a mighty jerk the ruby signal +of danger. The engineer in the on-rushing +train jammed down his brakes and brought up +his locomotive with a complaining, grinding +moan, a hundred yards beyond Walthamstow +station. Tom Cumbers had done a greater +thing than any other in all his existence.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +German +revenge.</div> + +<p>That by his act the Germans in their speeding +sky-craft were baffled there is no doubt. +They had lost their trail of fire; their involuntary +guide had disappeared in the gloom. The +airmen's long journey had suddenly become +fruitless; their peril from hidden British guns +and flying scouts was increased tenfold. The +heat of the night was as nothing to the hot +surge of disappointment that must have swept +the brains of the Zeppelin crew. Their commander, +too, must have lost his judgment utterly, +forgotten his sense of military effectiveness. +Whatever happened, he sacrificed his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span> +soul when he turned his cloud-ship aside from +the railway line, steered over the shabby roofs +of Walthamstow and, at less than two thousand +feet, unloosed his iron dogs of destruction.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bombing +tenements +of a defenseless +town.</div> + +<p>I have it on the authority of experienced +aviators that it is not impossible on a dark +night to distinguish buildings of importance +like St. Paul's or the Houses of Parliament or +a great gun factory or a river as broad as the +Thames with its uprearing and frequent +bridges. The crowding tenements of Walthamstow +could have had no semblance to any of +these, at any height. It would seem a cheap +and worthless revenge, then, to wreck an unimportant +and defenceless town, having failed +to wreck the military nerve-center of the +world's metropolis. But this is what one of +Count Zeppelin's soaring dreadnoughts did +in this night, in this blood-drenched year.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">When a +bomb +explodes.</div> + +<p>Like the mirage of a tropical island the +dirigible hung motionless in space for a breathless +minute. There was a wavering pin-prick +of light in the carriage suspended from the +leviathan's belly—a light that fluttered fore +and aft as of a man with a fairy lantern running +to and fro giving orders or taking them. +Then faintly discernible against the sky, like +a rope hung down for anchorage, came a thin, +gray streak—the tail of a bomb with all hell +in its wake. From somewhere near the town's +centre the earth split and roared apart. The +world reeled and a brain-shattering crash compounded +of all the elements of pain and hurled +from the shoulders of a thousand thunderclaps +smote the senses. It was a blast of sickening +and malignant fury. It did not so much stun +as it stopped one—stopped the breath and the +heart's beat, suspending thought, halting life +itself for a fraction of time. One was, somehow, +aware of existence but without sensation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> +And then came reaction and the realization of +what was really taking place. The German's +bomb landed fully ten blocks away, but you +would have taken oath in court that it had +fallen at your feet, behind you, above you and +into your very brain.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Terror of +the +people.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">A broken +gas main.</div> + +<p>An air raid on Walthamstow, which drab +town can boast neither ammunition works nor +the ownership of war material of any description, +could not be at once realized. But here +was the cyclonic fact, hideously real, appallingly +actual; and there in the heavens was +the buoyant Zeppelin maneuvering for further +mischief. The reverberation of the first explosion +was still grumbling back in Epping +Forest when all Walthamstow, rubbing its +eyes, tumbled out into the black streets. Men, +women, children, all ludicrously clotheless, +swarmed aimlessly like bees in an overturned +hive. Stark terror gripped them. It distorted +their faces and set their legs quivering. The +dullest among these toil-dulled people knew +what that explosion meant, knew that it was +part of the punishment promised by the German +foe. "Gott strafe England" had come to +pass. But they could not understand why the +enemy had singled them out for such drastic +distinction. The more alert and cool-headed +of the men battled with their fellows and +shouted instructions to get the women folks +and the kiddies back indoors and down into +their cellars. The night-gowned and pajamaed +throng could not be persuaded that safety lay +not in sight of the Zeppelin but away from it. +The hypnotism of horror lured them on to +where twelve houses lay spread about in smoking +chaos, a plateau of blazing and noisome +havoc. Somewhere a gas-main burst with a +roar and drove the crowd back with its +choking fumes as no human hands could have +done. Women frankly hysterical or swooning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> +were roughly thrust aside. Children shrieking +in uncomprehending panic were swept +along with the crowd or trodden upon. Lumbering +men ran and shouted and cursed and +shook hairy fists at the long blot on the clouds. +Some of the men leaped over iron palings like +startled rabbits and flung themselves in the +grass, face downward and quaking. And yet, +I dare say that most of these would have +walked straight into a familiar danger without +the waver of an eyelash; it was the unknown +peril, the doubt as to how and whence +this hurtling death might spring upon them +out of the night, that unhinged their manhood. +And while Walthamstow's walls went down +and great flame-tongues spouted where homes +had stood, while the thick, hot air was tortured +with agonized and inhuman cries, the enemy +up above let loose another bolt.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The +second +bomb as +the town +blazes.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Effects +of the +explosion.</div> + +<p>More terrible than the first explosion was, +or seemed, this second one. It mowed down +half a hundred shrieking souls. And it was +curious to note the lateral action of the blast +when it hit a resisting surface. Dynamite explodes +with a downward or upward force, lyddite +and nitro-glycerine and what not other +devil's own powers act more or less in the same +set manner. But the furious ingredients of +these bombs hurled on Walthamstow contained +stuff that released a discharge which swept +all things from it horizontally, in a quarter-mile, +lightning sweep, like a scythe of flame. +A solid block of shabby villas was laid out as +flat as your palm by the explosion of this +second bomb. Scarcely a brick was left standing +upright. What houses escaped demolition +around the edge of the convulsion had their +doors and windows splintered into rubbish. +The concussion of this chemical frenzy was +felt, like an earthquake, in a ten-mile circle. +Wherever the scorching breath of the bombs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> +breathed on stone or metal it left a sulphurous, +yellow-white veneer, acrid in odor and smooth +to the touch. Whole street-lengths of twisted +iron railings were coated with this murderous +white-wash.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">More +bombs as +the Zeppelin +rises.</div> + +<div class="sidenote">Freaks +of the +explosion.</div> + +<p>Having made sure of its mark, the ravaging +Zeppelin rose higher on the discharge of its +first bomb and still higher after firing the second. +At the safe distance of four thousand +feet it dropped three more shells recklessly, +haphazard. One of these bored cleanly through +a slate-tiled roof, through furniture and two +floorings and burrowed ten feet into the ground +without exploding. This intact shell has since +been carefully analyzed by the experts of the +Board of Explosions at the British War Office. +Another bomb detonated on the steel rails of +the Walthamstow tram-line and sent them +curling skyward from their rivetted foundations +like serpentine wisps of paper. Great cobblestones +were heaved through shop windows +and partitions and out into the flower-beds of +rear gardens; some of the cobbles were flung +through solid attic blinds and others were +catapulted through brick walls a foot in thickness. +A hole as big as a moving-van burned +into the road at one place. In a side street an +impromptu fountain squirted playfully into the +dust-burdened air, the result of a central water-pipe +punctured by a slug from one of the bomb's +iron entrails. But these things were not noted +until dawn and comparative peace had returned +to Walthamstow and men could count with +some degree the cost of the reckless invasion.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">British +aeroplanes +pursue.</div> + +<p>Before the clouds had swallowed up the hateful +visitant the noise of its attack had aroused +the military guards across Epping Forest, in +Chingford village, and, aided by a search-light, +the anti-aircraft-gun opened its unavailing fire +on the Zeppelin—ineffective, except that its +returning shrapnel smashed up several roofs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> +and battered some innocent heads. The Germans +had gauged their skyward path to London +along which, apparently, they felt reasonably +safe from gun-reach. But they had barely +headed homeward before a flock of army aeroplanes, +rising from all points of the compass, +were in hot pursuit. One of the Britishers was +shot down by the men aboard the Zeppelin. +Neither speed nor daring counts for much in +an encounter between flying-machines and swift +dirigibles of the latest types. The advantage +lies solely with the one that can overfly his adversary. +This can be achieved by a biplane or +monoplane pilot only if he has a long start from +the ground and time enough to surmount his +opponent. This is difficult even in daylight +with a cloudless sky. Given darkness and +clouds, the chances for success are tremendously +against the smaller craft.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The old +switchman +a +victim.</div> + +<p>Eight bombs in all were launched on Walthamstow—two +of them ineffectual. The sixth +bomb fell into a field close beside the railway +line and worked a hideous wonder. It blew +into never-to-be-gathered fragments all that +was mortal of old Tom Cumbers, the signalman. +They found only his left hand plastered +gruesomely against the grassy bank of the railway +cut—not a hair nor button else.</p> +<div class='center'><br /><br /><small>Copyright Forum, August, 1916.</small></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The great series of attacks by the massed German +Army against the mighty forces of Verdun +began in February, 1917, and continued +throughout the following months. Taken as a +whole, it was the most dramatic effort in all +its phases which took place between the German +and French forces. The French showed +during these terrible months, the spirit of devotion +and sacrifice which was never excelled +during the war.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> +<p>Both "Ypres-Poelcapelle" and "Ypres-Poelcappelle" appear in the text. Both spellings were retained.</p> +<p>Manoeuvre, manœuvre and maneuvre were used and retained.</p> +<p>Both Ripon and Ripont appear in this text. Ripont seems more accurate.</p> +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of World's War Events, Vol. I, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORLD'S WAR EVENTS, VOL. 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