GENERAL GALLIENI

Evening Star, Issue 16198, 21 August 1916, Page 1

GENERAL GALLIENI

* DEFENDER OF PARIS. The death of General Gallieni, formerly Military Governor of Paris and Minister of War, took place as the sequel to a recent operation. "Army of Paris! Inhabitants of Paris! I have been given a mandate to defend Paris against tho invader. I will carry out that mandate to the end." General Galiieni'.s proclamation of September 3, 1914. was one no Parisian will ever forget, and General Gallieni will be remembered in history above, nil as the chief who, in a dark hour, undertook crushing responsibilities and fulfilled them. Paris seemed doomed. The advance suard of Von Kluck's army extended to Gonesse not 10 'miles north of Paris, and Von Kluck himself was not 25 miles away. Genera! GaUioni himself retold in Parliament the few tragic moments' conversation he had with M. Milleraud, Minister of War, who had just appointed him Military Governor of Paris. '' 1 have come to ask vpur instructions, Monsieur le Ministre. Should the worst happen, and tho encmv succeed in enferinc Paris, what will be my duty:-" "Te defend Paris quarter bv quarter house by house," the Minister replied. "Suppose I should have to retire south of the river, what then?"

"Then you will blow up the. bridges. You can rely upon me." And the interview was over. General Gallieni took over the Governorship of Paris whon the capital was absolutely undefended. There wow no trenches, there, was next to no artillery in the forts, and forts themselves had been proved useless against that heavy artillery which the German command hat. apparently sprung- a.s a surprise upon military men among all the Allies. General Gallieni, a great organiser as well as a chief of quick and indomitable resolve, set to work instantly, aud what could humanly be done in the few days to spare was done. In a fortnight trenches were dug up all round Paris and right down the Bois de Boulogne for instance. Artillery was got up, and "the suburbs north and east of Paris were, ruthlessly razed to clear a field of fire for the guns. But, of-course, years of military neglect could not bo made good in weeks. Pans could not have held out; with General Galheni m command Paris never would have surrendered. —Saving the Capital.— Providence, Joffre, Gallieni, and Von Kluck saved Paris. On the very morning alter those tragic few words that, passed between General Gallieni and M. Millorand in Paris flying scouts brought in that, famous report that Von Kluck had suddenly swerved eastward —"apparently neglecting" Paris." The opportunity was there, and the French command took it, which is, perhaps, the best definition of good generalship. General Galheni will always share with General Joffre the fame of having seen the blow to strike, and struck it. Of course, if the whole allied forces from Paris to Verdun had not also responded to the supreme call made upon them, that famous attack on Von Kluck's right flank would have proved barren aaid there would have been no victory of the Manic. But that attack was lit"germ of victory.

The Pari3 Sixth Army was eot together by every means available, made up of all the troops that could be-scraped together thousands of whom were sent out from Paris m taxi-cabs. With General .Maunoury in command, the Sixth Annv, the existence of wbich "Von Kluck apparently never suspected, fell upon his right flank. Ho bad to pivot aud retreat to face ihe aifaek. The whole German lino was involved in hi-, retreat aud on September 12 General Joffre could issue that famous order' from Xaucv beginning with the historic words- " Thr battle-which has been fought in the last Jive days ends for us in an indisputable vioGeneral Gallieni will alwavs be remomoered for his share in that rietorv In October last General Gnilieni wr* appointed Minister of War, and at the firm opportunity ho had of speaking from the Tribune in the Chamber, in December, 1913 he said those memorable, words wh'ch -i'v among the. truest ever spoken' =--iu'i-. ; th,. war: "Two years ago Frame wanted p<\ve-to-day France wants war. and wa- to the end.' _"Jupru!'nu bout" was what' Genera' Gallicm said, and it will be remembered } ,s his motto. He l, a d to rctim from office, last March tluoueh ill-hcal(h. Lover? of intrigue who go about whispering Machiavellian political secrels told you in cafes and .ltd,-- fli-t ot course Gallieni's ilim-.: was -,k,,C, uiat-ic," and that So-and-so's maehinat'ious nad (succeeded.

In physique General Gal!ieni «■:-,< a , ip fair, thin man. with a small lu-u.ii wi/,i>.- i face, and perpetual eve-Hasse*. Ho kh* " o man of punctilious m'-tlmd ami a rr'njr-. simplifier. In » few week* ~.. M-'uiMe- ''- ■ had Cleared the War Olfirr. ,-,f yn;i>-; ,h' -in-'i mulated red rape, G,,i,.. n ! I.van-ev. hinw-]: a great, organic, a. 1,.. i i:l . p ,, )Vr ,] „, Morocco, used to rail Gailk-u: :i. w.ilkiii" org-anisuiion. hut. Gaiiirni will h-if he ' re" membered in history l.v liis moito '" Ju<nu - *i' bout." " "

General Gamoiii snolte Fa:j;li.?h well. On the occasion of a visit of the municipal corporations or Manchester, (ilasgmv and Edinburgh to hvon?, where he was in military command after his return from Madagascar ™ Thomas Barclay heard hint talkin" in hngli*h to a Manch.'Stf-r alderman and as<ed him where he had learned it- so well. In Mauaaa-car," he replied. "From tho Quakers?" Sir Thonias sussrestrd, rather maliciously. "Partly," he said. "1 learned English because it is ilie colonial language of the. world, and to m-nunse capable people without knowing their is like tr-op-mg in the dark." Thus lalo in life he-' perfected himself in a foreign lansua-e, and when the English colony bade him farewell on his departure from Madagascar it was in their own language that they were delighted to hear him reply.