THE YSER LINE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 49, 22 November 1926, Page 9

THE YSER LINE

HELD BY BELGIAN ARMY ALLEGED INTERVIEW WITH FOCH REPUDIATED BY THE MARSHAL By Telegraph.—Press association copyright. (Rec. November 21, 11.5 p.tn.) Brussels, November 20. Marshal Foch, in reply to King Albert, says: “I dissociate myself entirely from the statements contained iu the article in ‘Le Matin.’ 1 granted no interview- to any journalist. When the writer, Stephane Lauzanne, came to see me ou October 7 it was for quite another matter.” Marshal Foch concludes with an expression of attachment and esteem for the Belgian army and respect for its King. The newspaper “Le Soir” regrets that neither Marshal Foch nor M. Lauzanne acknowledges that the Belgian army, far from thinking of retreat, held the Yser line alone. Paris, November 20.

M. Lauzanne, replying to Marshal Foch, admits that no interview occurred in the sense of a dialogue arranged and revised, but he thought the conversation he had with the Marshal should be published in the interest of history. M Lauzanne claims privilege and indiscretion as the raison d’etre for a free press. King Albert sent a letter to Marshal Foch denying the latter's alleged statement that it was King Albert's intention to order the Belgians to retire in November. 1014, if Marshal Foch had not intervened.