66 MAJOK-GENEKAL SIR GEORGE K. SCOTT-MOXCRIEFF, OX THE 



in clear language tlie fundamental principles of leadersliip. 

 From tlie time when, with splendid audacity, he struck at the 

 German flank between the Aisne and the Marne, the armies 

 under his control moved " as though it were ghding on an incHned 

 plane from one brilliant ^-ictorv to another until the enemy 

 \ras fain to sue for mercy. It is perhaps the most remarkable 

 example in history of a leader laying down dehberately, before- 

 hand, the principles of success, and then himself giving efiect 

 to those principles with unerring decision. 



We are too near the events of 1918, however, to judge of 

 them in their true perspective, and we cannot tell what far- 

 reaching effect the personal example of the leaders may have 

 for the world in the immediate future. For, as we shall en- 

 deavour to prove, the influence, not only materially but morally, 

 of a great commander has a far-reaching effect on futm-e genera- 

 tions. 



Meantime it may be said that among the many blessings 

 which have befallen us as a nation during the past years of 

 stupendous war, not the least are the characters of the great 

 leaders whose victories have secured to us so high a position 

 — Haig, Allenby and Maude especially — whose quahties of 

 patience, endurance, chivabous conduct and modesty have 

 been as conspicuous as their mihtary skill, and their inflexible 

 resolution and swift decisive action. And is not " the Xelson 

 touch still a motive force in our Xavy ? for that great leader 

 is not merely, as Admiral Mahan has fljiely expressed it, " the 

 embodiment of sea power,'' but his personahty is the model 

 on which our seamen of to-day base their practice. The 

 similarity between his message to the Fleet after the Xile, and 

 Admiral Beatty's signal to the Grand Fleet after the surrender 

 of the Germans, is no mere coincidence. 



It may, however, be asked why the moral influence of leaders 

 in war is quoted as worthy of consideration. Surely, it may 

 be argued, the moral effect of the character of a leader in any 

 human enterprise, whether pohtical, industrial, commercial, 

 scientific, geographical, or any other pursuit, must have a pre- 

 ponderating effect on his followers, and on the country which 

 is identified with the cause, whatever that may be. This is 

 true, no doubt, hat it has special effect in connection with wars, 

 because there the masses of men directly affected are great, 

 and indeed to-day they are greater than in any previous period 

 of history. Moreover the tremendous issues of hfe and death 



