THE DEFEAT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1953, 18 March 1919, Page 4

THE DEFEAT.

EXPLAINED BY MARSHAL FOCH. INCLINED PLANE OF VICTORY. Evei' since tlie end of ihe lighting people hnve wondered find asked whether the defeat of the Germans was really complete in the military sense, or whether after all the victory was not fully in the hands of the armies under Foch’s command. A valuable and instructive statement on the subject was made by Foch himself in London a few weeks ago. After referring to the unilication of the commands, he said: —

“And when, beginning by a furious offensive, abruptly, by surprise, he fell upon troops, fatigued by tour vcai's of trench warfare, we slopped the march on Amiens, the march on Paris. Here is the formula that we have practised with a terrifying eagerness. We have joined up. l! is the simple things that succeed. “We have then made our plans, and we have said, ‘We have tired, used-up troops, but these retain undoubted energies.’ Besides the Allies, the English armies had experienced terrible catastrophes. We have said the same thing. ‘We are going to make amends, and we shall start again.’ And they did start again. (Laughter and cheers).

“They sailed to go further forward? No. They started to assure the communications indispensable to the life of the nation. To free Chateau Thierry, to re-establish the communications between Paris and Nancy—then to assure the communications with the north, which were always very precarious at Amiens. * The attacks from 18th July to Blh August, by Generals Rawlinson and Debeney, was to free Amiens at any [trice. That was all accomplished.'

“Then the attack from Arras by the English armies. And then, seeing all that did not succeed so badh, Ihe offensive was extended, and avc finished hy loosing a battle on a front of 250 miles, in which everyone fought—French, English, Belgians, Americans.

“Recollect that in the offensive we have made more than .330,000 prisoners and taken more than (5,000 cannon. If it had been alloAAcd to continue the situation of the ciicnu would from day to day rapidly have become Averse.

“Victory. 1 have already said, is an inclined plane. The ball leaves tlie top slowly, but it goes quicker olid quicker if it is not stopped. And we arc going to accelerate the movement. Me left oil in that position.

Our offensive, more, and more extended, greater and greater, avus going to be augmented in force when the' enemy stopped us demanding the armistice, for the aimistice we imposed conditions. the enemv accepted them. Me Avoiild not otherwise ha\ - e signed the armistice.

“Well, gentlemen, these results are due to the awakening of all the energies, Avhich were found to avoiK together Avhen the key was found to conduct them to victory.

“II is what we owe In our (lead, what we owe to our country. Ami it is wliiit bus porulilted us to prove that France is still capable of: leading tlie* armies which come to range themselves under the banner of victory against the common enemy."’