SOLDIER OF FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 177, 28 July 1934, Page 9

SOLDIER OF FRANCE.

MARSHAL LYATJTEY DEAD. (Received 12.30 p.m.) PARIS, July 27. The death is reported of Marshal Lyautey, famous French soldier and Moroccan campaigner, at the age of 80. Hubert Lyautey was born at Nancy. As an infant he was dropped from a balcony by a nurse, and until he was 12 he had to wear a steel corset. After attending the military college of St. Cyr he served in the French cavalry until 1893, at first in Algeria. Having written an article criticising the relations between French officers and men, he was sent as a punishment to Indo-China, where, in j 1894, he became chief' of staff to General Gallieni. In 1907 he was appointed commander of the Oran Division, wnich was ordered to support from the east the French occupation of Morocco. Then, as High Commissioner, he began his work of colonisation. When he left in 1910 to command an army corps in France trouble at once broke out in Morocco, and he was eent back as Resident-General. In that capacity he not only assured the position of France there, even during the World War, but endowed the Protectorate with fine towns, railways, roads, ports, public buildings and institutions of every kind.

So sure was he of his position that when the European War broke out he resisted the French Government's order to evacuate the interior, and actually sent to France a considerable number of his troops. The long period during which Lyautey held the Moroccan pro-consulate was interrupted iii December, 1916, when, in connection with the retirement of Joffre he was made War Minister in succession to General Roques. His vanity and intolerance of control, however, made it impossible for him to work emoothly with, others. On. March 14, 1917, he came into conflict with the Radicals, and handed in hie resignation.

On his return to Morocco he had again to deal with native risings. He was created a Marshal of France in February, 1920. In 1923 and 1924 he asked to be relieved of his post on account of his health, but remained at the request of the President. To this illncee is attributed the fact that he did not devote eufficient attention to the movements of the rebel Abd-el-Krim, 60 that in 1925 the French sustained reverees in Morocco.. The result ■was that the conduct of the military operations was taken out of his hands. Ho was recalled to Paris to report, but went back to Morocco for a time, only to resign his poet there in September, 192.5.

In 1912 Lyautey was elected a member of the French Academy in recognition of his writings on military questions. He was awarded in 1928 the gold medal of the (English) African Society, being the first foreigner to receive it. Lyautey was not only a soldier and a great administrator, but an artist and an architect.

EMPIRE GAMES TEAM.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S TEA,

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, July 27.

The New Zealand High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, entertained the fcew Zealand team for the Empire Games, a t tea in New Zealand House. Mr. wood and Dr. Porritt were present.