MARSHALL FOCH’S STATEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19407, 16 November 1926, Page 5

MARSHALL FOCH’S STATEMENT

LONDON. November 15. (Received November 16, at 12.30 p.m.) King Albert’s denial refers to a recent interview with a Paris ‘ Matin ’ representative, in which Marshal Foch stated that he never commanded, as was popularly supposed. What he really did was to convert the various commanders to his views. Ho called Lord Haig, Marshal Retain, and Genera! Pershing to headquarters in July, 1918, and explained to them his planr for an offensive. All three commanders held the opinion that the Allied armies were not in a condition to advance, but by offers of assistance from the French armies, by stimulating their pride, and by logic, he persuaded everyone to follow his plans. Ho added that he could have given categorical orders, hut the orders were received unwillingly, and were always badly carried out. On one occasion ho gave categorical orders when he did not possess the power to give them. Lord French and King Albert insisted on retreating behind tho Ysw in 1914. He left instructions beginning:—“The lines at present held will be defended,” and, though ho was merely a general, a British field-marshal and tho Belgian King issued the orders accordingly.—Sydney ‘Sun’ Cable.