BELGIANS' PART IN WAR

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 12

BELGIANS' PART IN WAR

FOCH REPLIES TO KING ALBERT DENIES REPORTED STATEMENTS “I GRANTED NO INTERVIEW” Fly Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. BRUSSELS, November 20. Marshal Foch, in reply to King Albert, says: '‘l dissociate myself entirely from tho statements contained in the article ‘Le Matin. 5 I granted no interview to any journalist. When the writer, Stephane Lauzannc, came to see me on October 7th it was for quite another matter. ** Marshal Eoch concludes with an expression of attachment and esteem for tho Belgian Army, and respect for its King. The newspaper “Le Soil*” regrets that neither Marshal Focli nor M. liituzanne acknowledges that the Belgian Army, far from thinking of retreat, held the Yser line alone. ‘TN THE INTEREST OF HISTORY” JOURNALIST EXPLAINS. (Received November 21, 11.5 p.m.) 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 that the conversation he had with the Marshal should be published, in the interest of history. He claims, tho privilege of indiscretion* as the raison d’etre of a free Press. 4 According to the published interview, Marshal Foch, i%fter saying that he was never in supreme command on the Western front, remarked that on one occasion he gave categorical orders when he did not possess the power to give them. Lord French and King Albert had insisted on retreating behind the Yser in 1914, but he left instructions beginning: ‘*The lines at present held will be defended,” and though he was merely a general, the British Field-Marshal and the Belgian King issued their orders accordingly. KING ALBERT’S ACCOUNT. ’ King Albert denied tbc statement that it was his intention to order the Belgians to retire if Marshal Foch had not intervened. He added that the Belgian Army Order declared that whoever uttered the ward ‘‘retreat 5 * would be regarded as a traitor to the country. The Army, before Marshal Focli’s visit, was ordered to maintain the Yser line at all costs. The staff, when the Belgians were hard pressed on October 28th, contemplated a retirement, which King Albert vetoed. While admitting that the necessary French assistance was due to Marsha! Koch’s representations, King Albert concluded that tho happy issue of the lighting on the Yser line was due to the bravery and tenacity of the Belgians.