THEIR LAST GREAT EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 199, 17 May 1919, Page 7

THEIR LAST GREAT EFFORT

ANNIVERSARY OF MARCH 18

MARSHAL FOCH INTERVIEWED

The Paris newspapers devote a largo amount of space to the celebration of the first anniversary of the first of the last series of {Treat German offensives which began on March 21 last year. _ The most interesting of these articles is a report of nn interview with Marshal Focli in the "Matin," in which (he great soldier defines the essential features of the science of military leadership. "With what kind of moral force," the interviewer asked the Marshal, "did you electrify the troops who had had to submit to that tremendous shock, and by what science did you regroup them with a view to the counter-offensive you haA in mind that, was to transform the German onslaught into a defeat?" "Victories are won by science, it is true," replied the Marshal, "but also by faith. When one has faith there is no falling back—the enemy is brought to » standstill ■ 011 the spot. You say I gave Prance victory, but it was our magnificent soldiers who gave it lier. I have only one morit—that I never despaired. Whether others who were at Compiegno and_ Poullens on March .-'24 .and 25 lost confidence, as you tell me, I cannot s.ty. For my own part I simply told them exactly what I .thought, 'France is France and cannot die.' Tho Boche will be stopped, and stopped immediately; Wo have only to say 'They shall not pass' and I guarantee they eliall not pass. It is not a question of e'vaouating Paris. Paris lias nothing to do with the matter. Paris is a long way off._ Tho Boche will be stopped at the point whero he now is. France i 3 Prance."

Tho men to wliotn Marshal Focli addressed these inspired words, says the "Matin," were M. Poineare, M. Clemeneean, and Viscount Milner, and they belioved him. As a Tesult Marshal Foch was appointed Allied Generalissimo, with what consequences everybody knows. Marshal French's Resolve. Marshal Foch'i? words recalled to. his interviewer another incident, three years earlier, when Marshal French before the Yser, on October 1914, considered that further resistance by his troops, exhaustby the terrible attacks .upon them, lfiTd become impossible. • "All we can do is to die," said tho. British Commander. "No," replied Marshal Foch; "we must hofij on, hold on at any price. There will lie plenty of time (o die afterwards," and ns Marshal French hesitated to countermand his order for retreat .Marshal Fo,ch milled the decisive words: "If. Wellington's old infantry cannot hold on to their trenches any longer I shall have to send my owii youngsters down there."

y "They slinll hold on,;' replied Marshal French.

"Is eiratosjic science." Hie interviewer asked Marshal Focli, "veally a doctrine flint can be taught and learnt, or is it not rather that faculty of divining and improvising that is called geniusr

"Strategic science," replied Marshal Focli, "may be acquired. but it is not a series of formulae or a, collection of precepts. It is an experience which a. leader must, embody iu such way that it guides air his decisions. It is a mental discipline (hat is Acquired by study of history and concrete instances. It must leave the brain of (he commander free enough to be able to act on exact information,' and not in accordance willi preconceived idea? and bvnotheses. The most brilliant mental qualities, however, are nothing without will. Victory is synonymous wi/li will. A bailie won is n battle in which one refuses to admit that one is beaten. For the Army is to ila leader what Hie sword is to the soldiei — it is worth nothing without the arm which wields it."