Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief, British Forces, to His
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.

"The Field-Marshal Commander-in-Chief, British Forces, has received
the note which His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has been kind
enough to address to him, in reply to his Memorandum of the 29th
instant.

"Sir John French entirely agrees with the views expressed, and will
give effect to them at once in the following manner:--

"1. The 2nd Cavalry Division, consisting of two
Brigades under the command of Major-General Gough,
which is now located in rear of the left of the line
held by the British Forces, will hold itself in
readiness to proceed to whatever point on the railway
His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief may decide upon,
to be moved thence to Lille, if that place should be
decided upon as the point upon which the British
Forces should first concentrate on reaching
the left of the Allied line.

"2. As soon as trains are available, the Field-Marshal
Commanding-in-Chief will disengage the 2nd British
Corps which now occupies the centre of the British
line. This Corps will concentrate in rear and be ready
to move by the same route and for the same destination
as the 2nd Cavalry Division.

"3. In like manner, the 19th Infantry Brigade will be
held in readiness to move immediately after the 2nd
Corps.

"4. The position in the centre of the British line,
held now by the two Divisions of the 2nd Corps, will be
divided between the 1st Corps, now occupying the left
of the British line, in such a manner as to unite the
inward flanks of the two Corps; whilst the 1st Cavalry
Division will be held as a reserve south of the river.

"5. The Field Marshal understands that, as soon as a
forward move by the whole line becomes feasible, these
two corps and the 1st Cavalry Division will remain
behind, their places being filled up by closing in the
5th and 6th French Armies on their inward flanks.

"6. The Field Marshal will immediately inform the
British Secretary of State for War of these
arrangements, and will ask that the 7th and 8th
Divisions may be moved as soon as practicable _via_