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Taihape Daily Times, 14 August 1919, Page 5

FREEDOM OF THE CITY,

TRIBUTE TO EARL HAIG.

“LIKE TWO BIG BROTHERS.”

Marshal Foch was most enthusiastically welcomed by th e City of London to-day, when, accompanied by General Wcygand and other distinguished French generals, he drove in a state carriage from the Carlton Hotel to the Guildhall to receive the honorary freedom of the city_ The streets were gaily decorated, and were packed with' cheering crowds.

The famous French soldier was *receivcd with ToutT and prolonged cheering, the bands playing the “Marseillaise” when he entered the Guildhall, where there was a large and distinguished company, including Prince Arthur of Connaught, Field-Marshal Earl Haig, Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, General Sir lan Hamilton, Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wcmyss, Mr Winston Churchill, Minister for War, Mr Long, First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Barnes, and other members of the Government.

The address conferring the freedom of the city described Marshal Foch as a heroic figure, and a model for future generations of soldiers. It paid a tribute to Foch’s brilliant part in the war, his stern sense of duty, his patriotism, and his supreme knowledge of the science of war, and declared that he had earned the gratitude of millions and the honour and glory of his unparalleled success. The address asked Marshal Foch to accept a copy of a resolution of the Court of the Common Council voting him a sword of honour as a token of their profound admiration for his brilliant services to France and the world. (Loud cheers.) The King conferred on Foch the rank of a British Field-Marshal. VALOUR OF THE BRITISH

In acknowledging the freedom of the city and the sword of honour, the marshal, speaking in French, paid a great tribute to the valour of the British soldiers, and still more to the Britiish generals, especially FieldMarshal Earl Haig, and also to the wonderful work of the industrial classes in Britain in providing the Allies with abundant guns and munitions.

Dealing with the groat German offensive of March 21, 1918, Foch remarked that the British armies, though very exhausted, fought as brilliant a rearguard action;,as had ever been fought. Foch also paid an eloquent tribute to the magnificent qualities of the British and Dominions’ armies fn the great counter-attacks after August, 19.18, and said that their dash and bravery were unsurpassable. They never stopped smashing the German war machine, and would have gone through to the Meuse or the Rhine but for the armistice. (Loud cheers.) Foch‘s tributes to the British and Dominions’ war efforts were couched in the most glowing terms.

“INCOMPARABLE ARDOUR.”

For example, referring to the early days of the war, he said: “At Ypres, in 1914. did I not see the first British corps resist victoriously the enemy’s violent attacks, despite Ihe cruellest losses, “On the Somme, in 1516, ycur armies gave proof of incomparable ardour, and their gallantry was shared by the Dominions contingents, “As for your material —guns, ammunition. gas, aeroplanes, and tanks —of what a magnificent volume or production did your country not show itself capable?” After describing how France, bleeding sorely and tired, struggled with similar energy, Foch said: “After that, who could doubt the outcome of the war. Once again the justice of history was to give its ever unquestionable judgment, namely, that nations are clearly invincible when, having sufficiently advanced on the road of civilisation, they consocrcate, without reserve, their moral and material resources and all their energies in the struggle for liberty against peoples fighting for domination.”

A MEMORABLE SIX MONTHS. Referring to Field-Marshal Ear! Haig. Marshal Foch said that he spared more than any other general the lives of his men. “What interviews wc had during these last six Months!” said Foch. "He from the north, and I from the south, sought each other like two big brothers in order to live in the closest intimacy, and ensure, by absolute community of ideaspthe more and more rapid march of our armies. “Wc had so to force events that on November 9 I sent to Haig the folloAving telegram, feeling certain I should be loyally followed by him and his armies:

‘“The disorganised enemy, owing to repeated attacks, has given wav along the whole front. It is essential that we should maintain and accelerate our operations. I have called up-

on the energy and initiative of our commanders-in-chief and their armies in order to secure and render decisive the results obtained.’ ” Marshal Foch concluded: “Let us salute the glorious dead who sleep in France. Faithfully, piously, and jealously we shall guard them and keep their memory alive, because to us they are a testimony and a pledge.,”