THE GENERALISSIMO

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16215, 18 May 1918, Page 9

THE GENERALISSIMO

PRAISE FROM MAJOR-GENERAL MAURICE.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 16.

An article by Major-General Maurice in the "Daily Chronicle'' discusses the appointment of a ■Generalissimo. Ho says: — . . , "Russia's failure, by bringing about a concentration of Germans on the West Front, made the outlook extremely dangeroua for the Allies if their defence failed. Previously, when attacking, there was little likelihood of nupleasant consequences, therefore the English and French were able to rub along independently. Command by committee was tried at Versailles, but it inevitably failed. The critical days of March made the appointment of a supreme commander urgent. When Foch took charge the battle was at its height, and the greatest German concentration was to sever tho British and French armies. But the enemy was checked, and the British and French armies are still in direct touch, and Amiens remains ours. Such is the present achievement of the man who fought beside the British on tne Marne, and commanded during the bloody fighting at Yscr, Vimy, Loos, and the Somme. He has his own peculiar methods, which he believes m and his staff is absolutely under control. He lives very simply, with no militarv ostentation. He abhors red tape and in an emergency scatters stereotyped methods to tho winds. He uses any and everv means. People in England often risk: When will Foch counterattack? Tho man who was the hero of the Marne, and sent during that battle the message, 'The enemy is attacking my flanks, and threatening tne rear • I am attacking their front,' can bo trusted not to remain on the defensive one hour longer than prudent generalship demands.''