Sir John French has, in our opinion, shown great good
sense and patriotism in asking to be relieved before his work suffered from the tremendous strain to which he has been exposed. The most difficult thing in the world is to know when to retire or to take a. change of work, for we are glad to think that the gallant Field-Marshal will still continue to serve his country. Though the danger of invasion is now small, the possessions behind our sea moat are so precious that there is no waste in having one of our ablest soldiers to superintend the guard that we must keep set over them. Sir Douglas Haig, by the record of his services in France and by the almost universal opinion of men at the front, must be pronounced worthy of succeeding so great a commander as General French. The burden placed upon his shoulders is terrific, but he will not shrink from it.
