THE IMMORTAL MARSHAL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1929, Page 7

THE IMMORTAL MARSHAL

MOVING- TRIBUTE BY M. POINCARE. (By M. RAYMOND POINCARE, Prime Minister of Franco.) i lie deatli of Marshal Focli lias moved me too deeply for me to find ready expression to my grief at the moment and to word aright the great loss which the French nation has sustained. I can only recall to memory at the moment the words 1 pronounced years ago when the marshal, fresh from his victories, was called to the French Academy, and wnen it was my privilege to utter the customary speech for reception.

At that moment, speaking of the great Allied offensive which decided tlie fate of the world, I spoke to Marshal Focli words which 1 can do not better than repeat to-day ~as I bow my head before the great soldier’s remains and which portray the most dramatic episodes 6f his career. They were:

The Germans, marshal, knew they were lost in face of you, and they tried one more a political manoeuvre to .escape complete disaster. They sent to President Wilson a- request for an armistice.

The last hour of the war was at hand. > There was not a minute to lose. Yon ordered the continuation of tnree converging Allied offensives.

“FORWARD.” '

“Forward! Forward!” you said,.“Let Degoutte continue his inarch towards Brussels. Let Haig advance to Avesues and M.ons. Force the enemy tc, ovaouatee Lille. Roubaix, and Tourcoin let the Fayollc group push towards Fourmie, ttirson, and Verdun. Let Maistre’s army speed up its-move-ments towards Mezieres and Sedan.”

The ’ Belgians- victoriously entered Ostend and Bruges; Lille was freed by the British from a long captivity, and they also approached Valenciennes ; the Italians carried Sissonne; General Gouraud surrounded Vou-ziers; and the Americans broke through to the Ardennes Forest.

“Quicker and quicker still,” you ordered. On October 19, completing vour instructions of the lotli k you ordered the armies of Flanders' to cross the rivers and canals and march on Brussels. You told the British Armies to throw hack the Germans towards the Ardennes and the French Armies and the Ist American Army to wipe out at Sedan the oainful memories of 1870.

On October 31 the entire Belgian front was in movement and four days later King Albert’s armies had reached the gates of Ghent; the'Canadians had entered Valenciennes; the New Zealanders had captured he Quesnoy; Bawlinson had stormed Landrecie.f; Debeney had passed Guise; Gouraud had crossed the Ardennes canal; Hun-ter-Liggott was at Bclleval and Mon tigny; General Bullard, of the 2nd American Army, was preparing to advance on Briov and in front- of Nancy; General de Casteluau’s armies were making ready to advance on Sarrebruck and cut off the enemy’s retreat. Me fled before the Allied cavalry, galloping to victory after four years < 1 immobility.

Simplicity and modesty were always his host counsellors. Glory itself did not affect him. he has entered immor tality with a grace, a nobility—l might almost say, a sublime indifference—which disarms all envy.