a against
Russia's southern attacks, and the marshy country east of East
Prussia against Russian northern attack. Yet it is to be added that
these very advantages of defense were also disadvantages of attack.
The march through Belgium would not have been necessitated if, for
example, the portion of Central Powers territory that confronted
France had been of the same character as that which confronted
Russia. The mountainous character of that frontier was a determining
factor in the invasion of Belgium. The invasion of Belgium was a
determining factor in the relation which Germany sustained in the
war to the allied powers, and especially to the neutral nations. The
relation of the neutral nations, in modern warfare, which requires
such immense supplies, is a factor of great importance for success
in the field. Therefore, to close the syllogism, the mountainous
character of the Vosges country was the primary factor in
determining the relation of all other countries to the Central
Powers, a factor constantly arising at every point in the Great War.
On such geographical factors does the strategy of huge campaigns
depend. One more example may be given. In the battles of the Marne
it became evident that France's strongest defense was the Argonne
Forest, in the battle of the Aisne it became clear that the
geological formation of a river bank made the German position almost
impregnable.

The topographical position of the allied powers is the next factor
to be considered. Germany's geographical resources have been touched
upon, and to them may be added the fact that, if invaded, she had,
at the Rhine, a marvelous line to fall back upon. The first factor
to be considered in France is its openness to attack. Thanks to the
Vosges and the Argonne, a line of great strength could be
established (it was so established and was so held in the teeth of
determined attack) from Belfort to Verdun. But north of Verdun the
earth-making forces have not been kind to France, in a military
sense. From Verdun to the North Sea is, geographically speaking,
open country. This is not the place to discuss the availability of
forts in open country, it is sufficient to point out that there is
no geographical defense. Between the German border and Paris there
is no topographical barrier to an invading army. The Germans found
this out in the Franco-Prussian War, and it had not been forgotten.

CHAPTER XXV

ASSEMBLING OF THE GERMAN ARMIES

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