THE MEDUKVALISAI OF SIR JOHN FRENCH. [To THE EDITOR Or
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Sra,—In reading " Australian's " attack on Mr. Prevost Battersby's review of Mr. Childers' " German Influence on British Cavalry" I was struck by the following points :-
(1) That "Australian," while rightly extolling Sir John French for his leadership and splendid soldierly qualities, has evidently never become acquainted with his work as an author writing upon the teaching of cavalry theory. This seems to me a singular omission on the part of so devoted an admirer as "Australian" appears to be. (2) That "Australian," evidently not having read Mr. Childers' books on the arming of cavalry, is unable to ainderstandMr. Prevost Battersby's review. (3) That " Australian," owing to this lack of understanding, does not realize that Mr. Childers' and Mr. Prevost Battersby's criticisms of Sir John French are concerned with the very fact that the General has not followed up or shown faith in his experiences in the South African War, experiences which forced him to give up the sword and to depend entirely upon the rifle in order to accomplish those excellent results of which all Englishmen are justly proud. (4) Further, that Sir John French is criticized by them only in so far as he has blinded himself to the lesson of his own highest achievements, and has preferred to perpetuate a worn-out and useless tradition whose survival may imperil the safety of England.—I am, Sir, &c., A READER OF SIR JOHN FRENCH AND 11E. CHILDERS.
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