Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

104 HISTORY OF THE WAR.

main source of Russia’s Manchurian defeats. To some extent all the Allies sinned in this respect, though all their text-books enforced the doctrine. No better statement of it could be found than in the words of a great French military critic: ¢ In all times the struggle with cold steel has been the final phase, that which confirms the decision, the expulsion of the enemy from his position, and the conquest of the ground ; but in all times, likewise, this final consummation has come to those who willed the means before willing the end. Attack with pike, sword, or bayonet gives the last shock to the enemy’s morale ; but to shake the morale and put him at the mercy of shock action, the losses inflicted by bow and sling, by rifle and gun, are needed.” * It was no less a soldier than Napoleon who wrote, “ Battles to-day are decided by fire.”

* Colonel Colin, The Transformations of War (PopeHennessy’s translation), p. 56.