The plodding English had to help out the French railway plans, and then had to turn around and find their own railroad defects.

When England first sounded the call to arms, men deserted the railroad service to go into training to such an extent that the authorities had to stop it and maintain transportation as, of course, an important arm of the war-service.
The history of the unpreparedness of both England and France has yet to be written.

It would not be useful to print much that is already known.

There are two political sentiments in both countries, and political issues will rise again in both after the war.
A little contemplation here will show the extravagance of many estimates of the number of men to be put in the field in time of war.
Many estimates have taken little account of the number of men required to handle a modern transportation service, and the supply organization to back up an effective army at the front.

Transportation and war-supplies are on such an expanded basis as was not dreamed of a few years ago.