The Washington herald., 1915-05-02

vited him to his home for dinner.
Neither one mentioned the academy posi-
tion during dinner and Foch had not
even dreamed of applying for the place.
Between the fruit and the coffee Glenn
enceau suddenly turned to Foch and said
somewhat brusquely:
by the way, I've a good bit of news
for you; you're nominated director Of
the Ecole de Guerre."
Director of the Ecole de Guerre!"
calculated Foch, taken aback. But
Monsieur lie President. I'm not candi-
date
Its possible" said Clemenceau dryly.
but you're appointed all the same; and
1 know you'll do excellent work there"
Foch thanked the premier, but he still
had his scruples.
Il fear you don't know all my family
connections" he said bluntly. Il have
a brother who is Jesuit"
Jesuit be damned,' roared Glenn
enceau. Let him go to i beg your
pardon, Mr.. Director-for you are the
director of the Ecole de Guerre: all the
Jesuits in creation won't alter the fact"
The third member of this triumvirats
Is Alexander Millerand, minister of war.
the greatest minister of war that France
has had in a generation. Like Glenn
enceau and Aristide BRAND, he is re-
constructed Socialist.
He was born fifty-six years ago in
Paris Early in his life he gained dis
tinction as a lawyer, as defender OF
strikers and as a writer. Most OF his
contributions were made to Clemenceaus
journal, Justice" In 1885 he was
elected to the Chamber of Deputies as
radical Socialist and for many years was
the leader of the reform group in French
politics.
Although a Socialist he is not an in
ternationalist nor pacifst. In 1893 he
spoke at a Socialist banquet and declared
that it was absolutely the duty of all
Socialists. in spite of their private feel
ings. to rally around the flag Of their
country in time of war and to accept
every command from the government
without a murmur. He has taken
special pleasure In asserting over and
over again that military service and
loyalty to France were the highest duties
OF every citizen.
In 1900 Millerand held office under
the French government and again in
1910. His real work began only in
1912 when he was made war minister
by Poincare.
&c
was to revive the war spirit of France.
He wanted to make the army worthy OF
France, of any enemy France would
have. and an object of the nations pride
and admiration. I'VE must foresee the
worst" was his watchword and his con
slant aim was to foresee the worst.
At public meeting in 1912 he an
nounced that he hoped France would
never have occasion to go to war. but
that nevertheless as war minister he
was holding war constantly before his
eyes. All his efforts must tend. he said.
to the end that at every hour the army
should be ready to pass, without dis
turbance and without shock, from .
peace to war footing.
He inaugurated the system Of bring
ing the heads of departments Of the war
office together in weekly conferences
over which he presided. He listened at
tentfvely to the different opinions
which were offered by the department
heads and had a remarkable knack OF
getting at the root of things Both
Joffre and Foch possessed much influence
at these meetings and were listened to
with the closest attention whenever they
offered suggestions.
In the face of opposition Of members
Of his own party Millerand Coura geously
continued his policy OF giving as much
Of martial color as possible to the
soldiers life. The buGle calls and drum
beats in the barracks were revived to aid
in this The number of parades and
reviews were greatly increased. On all
occasions the army showed itself TO the
nation and received the nations respect
and encouragement
MiIlerand actually reawoke the ma
tional spirit of France To him more
than to any other belongs the credit Of
he fact that France is standing so unit
eddy in this war.
On the technical side he was also
videawake to every opportunity for
He watched carefully the
progress of science in telephone, tele-
graphs, in automobiles and electricity
md brought the best Inventions directly
o the use of the army
Another valuable work he accom-
olished was to drive politics out of the
army. The common mess for junior
,fficers was established to promote
and corps feeling. The
officers rising from the ranks and those
,nminr from the military COLLEGES h.