FOCH’S WAY WITH THE HUNS

Taihape Daily Times, 23 May 1919, Page 6

FOCH’S WAY WITH THE HUNS

The following incident took pla** 4 -when Marshal Food end the. Allied delegates met the German delegation at Treves to consider the new conditions yvhen the armistice was extended: Marshal Foch's way of treating die German delegates and how short and sharp the dialogue is on such occasions is shown by the account, just 10ceivod,. which Wpm Telegraphic Bureau (official disseminator of German mew? and views) ‘ms published of the last meeting. It may bs safclr assumed that much has been omitted and altered to suit German tastes. I Kihhorger raised the question of th-‘ defoliation of Gormans from AlsaceLorraine by the French. Foch; The deportations from Alsace Lorraine do not concern the French Government, as the question is a purely military one, having the safety of the Allied troops as its sole object. I decline to listen to any criticism of military measures. At the same rime j would remind you of the behaviour of the Germans in Lille, and Northern France. Erzbergcr: That was during hostilities "We have now an armistice. Foch: France is not at peace with Germany. I am a soldier.' When there is no peace there is war; there is no third state. “LET US QUIT THE SUBJECT. Erzberger; Tbc third statc~ls the a.rmistico. I myself during the war repeatedly allowed news of their relations to he sent through to the inhabitants of Lille. Severity to the inhabitants of Alsace-Lorraine might easily be mitigated by raising the postal censorship.

Focb: Let us quit this subject. I maintain my attitude. A comparison ■with what took place in Lille and Northern France would not prove to your advantage. Martial law will be retained in Alsace-Lorraine and no change will be.made. Erzberger: That is greatly to be regretted, since the innocent are suffering and France gains nothing by it. A passage in Erzberger’s speech, “Germany will not become the financial slave of the Entente,” gave rise to further discussion.

Foch: I repudiate the statement that the Allied Financial Commissioner, the representative of the French Government, deserves the reproach of propagating Bolshevism. Erzberger: I rely upon facts, and it i s a fact that should the financial conditions fixed by the French Commissioners bo accepted wo should be confronted with a state of affairs closely akin to Bolshevism. Foch: We have only to discuss military questions in the Armistice ComTnission, not a legal ones, Krzberger: Agreed We will not discuss this matter any more. A QUESTION FOE ENGLAND. The next point at iss le was the repatriation of Gorman prisoners of war. When pressed concerning the return of the German prisoners '.n Turkey Foch turned to Admiral Browning, the English Commissioner, who remarked; “I have no answer to give.’ J :< Ftzberger: Ag I can get no answer from England’s representative I must conclude that that country is prepared to stand by in silence while Germans are driven to their death by criminal neglect. Foch: I will investigate the matter. Erzberger lam grateful fo r that statement; but it is insufficient. The question of the repatriation of our prisoners is just as important as the question of our food supplies. There are ships enough available. Thereupon Erzberger handed Marshal Foch a copy of the speech he had just read, the English representative asking for a copy too Foch: I shall expect your answer to-morrow morning.