s so weakened, that, toward evening at the
close of two days of continuous and very severe fighting, the Fifth
French Army was able to advance and hold the position from La
Ferte-Gaucher to Esternay. The ground gained was valuable but not
essential, yet it made a profound impression.

General d'Esperey's step forward was the Germans' step back. It meant
that the road to Paris was barred. How fully this was realized may be
seen from an order signed by Lieutenant General Tuelff von Tschepe und
Weidenbach and found in the house that had been occupied by the staff of
the Eighth German Army Corps when the victorious French entered
Vitry-le-Francois. The order was dated "September 7, 10:30 p. m." and it
read as follows:

"The object of our long and arduous marches has been achieved. The
principal French troops have been forced to accept battle, after having
been continually forced back. The great decision is undoubtedly at hand.
To-morrow, therefore, the whole strength of the German army, as well as
all that of our Army Corps, are bound to be engaged all along the line
from Paris to Verdun. To save the welfare and the honor of Germany I
expect every officer and man, notwithstanding the hard and heroic fights
of the last few days, to do his duty unswervingly and to the last
breath. Everything depends on the result of to-morrow."

Much did, indeed, depend on the result of the morrow, and for the third
day, again, it was General von Kluck's initial move that brought
disaster to the German side.

Why was it that Von Kluck, instead of marching directly on Paris, as
would have been expected, made a detour, having as his object not the
capital but the French army? It may be said in favor of it that the
decision taken by the German General Staff was in conformity with the
military doctrine of Napoleon. According to this doctrine, a capital,
whatever its importance, is never more than an accessory object,
geographical or political. What is of importance is the strategical
object. The strategical object is the essential, the geographical object
is only accessory. Once the essential object is attained, the accessory
object is acquired of itself. Once the French armies had been beaten,
thrown back, and dispersed, Von Kluck could return to the capital and
take it easily.

Conceive of him, on the other hand, attacking the capital with the army
of Manoury on his right, which constituted a serious menace to his left,
and in front of hi