DEATH OF MARSHAL FOCH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6866, 22 March 1929, Page 7

DEATH OF MARSHAL FOCH

One of the Greatest Soldiers of All Time

Military Genius Who Led Allied Armies to Victory

The death has occurred, at the age of TS, after a long Illness, of Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Generalissimo of the Allied Forces in France in 1918, and one who, in the words of FieldMarshal Lord Allenby, was the greatest General of our time, who w'ould probably go down in history as the equal of the greatest soldiers the world has ever known.

Long Battle With Ultimate Victor PAINLESS PASSING. United Press Association—By Electri* Telegraph —Copyright. PARIS, March 20. Marshal Foch died in the evening of a lovely spring day in tho presence of his wife and daughters. He had surmounted so many crises recently that the final collapse left a sense of stupefaction. Ho had a violent attack of breathlessness at 5 o’clock, and tho doctors and priest were summoned. Tho latter administered Extreme Unction, while Foch was unconscious. He died apparently painlessly. The closing of tho shutters was tho first intimation that the long struggle had ended. The news of his death spread rapidly, and callers and flowers began arriving in a few minutes. Chamber Adjourned. M. Briand was speaking in the Chamber when the news was received. M. Poincare announced the event in a few heartfelt -words, supported by the President of the Chamber. The sitting was immediately adjourned. Tho Marshal died in a simple bedroom not more luxuriously furnished than a barrack-room. The only relief on the plain walls -was the combined flag of the allied nations worked into a banner. Occasionally in his last hours Foch raised his arm and lovingly caressed the banner. Foch’s only son was killed in the war. Of his two married daughters, one lost her husband the same day as Foch lost his son. The other is the wife of Colonel Fournier, and has two sons and two daughters. Tho eldest son received the right to change his name to Fournier-Foch in order to perpetuate Foch’s name. Foch Died a Poor Man. At the end of the war Foch was financially a poorer man than at the beginning. Ho did not own tho house in which ho spent his last years. It was owned by the French government and will bo the homo of succeeding Army chiefs. While the other allied nations awarded titles, lanas, and money to their leading Generals, Foch’s only compensation was the knowledge that France was saved. His country (home was bought out of his wife’s dowry.

the window, so that he might see the passers-by. Presently, he raised his wasted hand and moved tho curtain aside in order to see better. The young doctor who was watching said: “Wouldn’t you like to go t-o bed now?” to which came the pathetic reply, “All right, but give mo a little longer.” Tho doctor agreed and turned to see whether tho bed w-as ready. Meanwhile, the Marshal-raised himself in his chair, saying: “Now, I am ready,” then fell back with w'hitc face and staring eyes. The doctor rushed to his bag and took out a liyperdcrmic needle anti gave several injections unavailingly and the Marshall passed array in the doctor’s amis. Mesdamcs Foch and Becourt came from an adjoining room and saw him breathe his last. Dr Davcniere adds that when he and a colleague were summoned by telephone, they could only confirm his death. '

Lo Matin asks: "Why speak of death in connection with ono who has become an immortal figure? Foch is as much alive' to-day as yesterday. He shines among those great men who have enriched the history of Prance." L’Eeho do Paris says: ‘Prance and the nations whoso sons Poch led to victory mourn their great commander." M. Painleve describes Poch as the great liberator, whoso prodigious success in breaking down the German lines of defence entitles him to rank with the greatest soldiers of history, Alexander, Caesar and Napoleon. His outstanding quality, was will-power, which he was able to communica±o to others. Lying in State WILL BE LAID TO BEST WITH PRANCE'S HEROES. Received Thursday, 7 p.m. PARIS, March 20. M. Poincare and other members of the Cabinet, General Lyantey and President Eoumcrguo called and condoled with Madame Foch. Representatives of all the Allies will be invited to the funeral on Saturday. The interment will bo at the Pantheon or Les Invalides, unless the will requests otherwise. Until then, the body will lie in stato at the Invalides, where the tomb of Napoleon stands. In the meantime, Foch’s two aides two nuns are watching the bier. The body is dressed in a dark blue uniform, with his Marshal's baton at his side and his sash across his breast, with the hands resting on a crucifix.

“Great Soldier and Great Soul” LEADING BRITISHERS’ TRIBUTES LONE-ON, March 20. TJic Prince of Wales has sent a telegram of sympathy to Madame Foeh. Mr Lloyd George declared: “Victory could bo attributed to Marshal Foeh’s genius more than to any others. My greatest pride is that I discerned his supreme gifts and took a leading part in making him Conimander-in-Chief. He was a man of vision, imagination and courage, and, abovo all, had the quality appertaining to true greatness —he had simplicity.” Sir Austen Chamberlain stated: “I cannot help feeling that in future years, the memory of the great soldier 3 on whatever sido will link us all in common admirarion of the noble men. If bitterness remains, it will not be among rhose who were t/ho stoutest fighters. ’ ’ Earl Beatty, in a tribute to Marshal Foch says: “His loss is irreparable. He was the greatest man in the greatest war the world had ever seen. His services were services not only to France, but to the whole world.” Mr. Baldwin states: “In the years sinco tho war there has been nobody in the world who has not recognised Marshal Foch as one of tho greatest soldiers of all time. What is even more important, he was one of the world’s great souls. So long as Marshal Foch is remembered as a soldier, ho will be remembered a 3 a great Christian, a great gentleman, and a great man.” “Now, I am Ready”

Fetch's 100 Days PATED TO CONQUER, SAYS GERMAN PAPER Received Thursday, 0.40 p.m. BERLIN, March 21. “No historian will ever bo able to say whether’ the hundred days of Foehs command signified the Allies’ victory or fate, which Germany was no longer able to resist,” says Boersen Courier, the first German paper to comment on his death, but the fact that he gathered the fruits of a decision which was already irrevocable when he became Commander-in-Chief docs not minimise his ability. Pershing’s Tribute CALM CONFIDENCE IN PACE OP ADVERSITY. Received Thursday, 9.40 p.m. PARIS. March 21. General Pershing, who is at present in Paris, says Foch’s death has saddened all hearts. He would have honoured all people whose armies fought under his command. Foch was superb in moral strength, grandeur of soul and calm confidence in the face of adversity. His grandeur was now the inheritance of humanity.

Sorrow in England GREAT WAR LEADERS FAST DISAPPEARING. Received Thursday, 9.40 pan. LONDON, March 21. News of Marshal Foch’s death, though not unexpected, created a painful impression in London and throughout the country, for as the Daily .Telegraph observes, one by one, the leading figures of the Great War are disappearing from the scene of their triumphs and humiliations. The newspapers reflect general sorrow, with lengthy cables from Paris, .photographs, special memoirs and edi-

THE LAST SCENE IN MARSHAL’S BEDCHAMBER. Aust. Press Assn.—United Service. Received Thursday, 7 p.m. PARIS, March 20. Marshal Foch’s last words were: “Now I am ready,” according to a moving description of the last scene given by Doctor Daveniere, Foch’s medical attendant. “The Marshal was reclining in an armchair, which had been drawn up to

torials. The King was immediately informed. A Colleague in After War Work PRESIDENT HOOVER’S MESSAGE. Received Thursday, 7 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 21. President Hoover in a statement expressingl regret at the death of Marshal Foch, said: “I share the respect and admiration in which ho was universally held but beyond this, it was my priviLige to be closely associated with him in various activities after the Great War and in this way. was ablo to gain perhaps a special insight, not only into his ability but also his fine human qualities kindness, modesty and straight-forwardness.” To Lie Next Napoleon Received Friday, 2 a..in. LONDON, March 20. The Paris Journal says that after lying in State at the Arch do Triomphe beside the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a burial service in Notra Dame, Foch will bo buried in the In validcs next to Napoleon’s tomb. New Zealand’s Condolences CABLE FORWARDED BY PRIME MINISTER. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Following is the text of a message forwarded by Sir Joseph Ward to the Premier of Franco: “The Prime Minister of New Zealand presents hi 3 compliments to the Premier of France and desires for himself, his colleagues and the peoplo of New Zealand to express condolences to the French nation and to tho wife and family of Marshal Foch in the great loss they have sustained by the death of one who earned the grateful and lasting appreciation of this country for his unparalleled military services and wonderful achievements accomplished during the Great War. For his noble services, humanity wilJ over remain indebted to him.

“I feel grieved to learn of the death of Marshal Foch, whom I had the honour and plcaure of meeting on numerous occasions and knew him very well both in his official and privato capacities/ ’ stated tho Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) to-night. “It would seem almost impertinent for me to attempt to pay tribute to him a 3 a great soldier, as his well-earned reputation and singularly brilliant direction in the Great War have been acknowledged by men of the highest standing qualified to judge, not only within the British Empire, but in some of the other great countries which possesss soldiers of high standing who have been so eminently qualified to express an opinion regarding his capabilities.”