New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-18
Frances Advance in Aero
nautics Due Largely to
New War Minister.
HIS RISE IN SERVICE
DUE TO ACHIEVEMENT
Has Been Long Close Friend of
JOffre and of Gallieni. Whom
He Succeeded.

Paris. March l7.-General Pierre
Auguste Roques. whose appointment
as Minister Of War in succession to
General Gsllieni was announced yes
terdsy, il best known for his work as
inspector general OF aeronsutics. He
occupied this position from 1910 "a
1912, ct a time when the military i'm
portance Of aviation was beginning
20 be realized fully.
The efficiency shown by this arm Of
the French service during the war is
due in large part 70 the sosnd or.
ganization built up BY General
Roques. Like General Joffre. the
commsnder-in-ch General Roque's
close friend the new Minister Of War
is ar engineer. and. like him. he IS a
sOutherner. having been born IN
MaTseillan, Department Of Herault. on
December =. 1856.
Joins Engineer Corps.
After going through the usual col
lege course, he entered the Polytechnic
School, in which engineers, civil and
military, and artillery officers are
trained. He was graduated with the
rank Of second Lieutenant In 1877 ne
was made d lieutenant. and was posted
70 the Second Regiment OF Engineers
two years later.
He showed such ability that IN 1859
he was sent 20 Algiers as captain OF
stat On returning he took q posi-
ton az the War Ministry. When hos
tilities broke OF. IN Dahomey' ne
went there a. major OF engineers.
For his distinguished services he was
made Northumberland.
IN 1901 ne spent some time "a spe-
cial work AZ Paris. being then a full
colonel. He took charge Of important
public works IN Madagascar. and so
thoroughly established MS reputation
that when the post Of director OF
engineer corps at the Ministry OF War
became vacant in 1906 he was APP
pointed. with the rank Of general OF
brigade. Three years later he attained
the rank Of general OF division, the
highest in the French army, inssmuch
a. marshals are 10 longer appointed.
After serving two years As perma-
nent INSPECTOR general OF aeronautlcs,
he was placed in command OF the TN
infantry Division. When the war be
gan he WAS in command OF tho 4tn
ARM Corns. AZ Limoges. from which.
the army orders say. che obtained the
mos brilliant services. both by his own
personal bravery snd by mastery lead
ership. lie was placed at the mead OF
an army the First Army on January
4. 1918. and continued to show the
highest qualities Of activity and intel
lieence" lie was decorated with the
Grand Cross Of the Legion Of Honor
- Nfff.~~Tr
Genera Roques vas wounded IN the
chest AZ Koto. in Dshomey. in 1892. but
has gone through the present csmpsigr
without a scratch. although frequently
opposing himself.
BRAND Regrets Loss.
General Gallieni sent his resignation
10 Premier BRAND in q letter dated
Versailles, March l6, part Of which
follows:
As explained 10 you last week. my
strength. which ! have devoted eHciu-
siveix and uninterrupted 70 the ser
vice q the country, now fails ne. ne
doctors consider that am not al pres
ent in a condition 20 perform with the
necessary activity the duties Of the
high Office intrusted 10 ne. They de-
clare that 10 make II possible FOR me- 70
y esuUe active NpIhf a Nou PiNt' anu
length rest and careful treatment are
INDISPENSABLE. therefore ask you 20
accent NJ resignation as Minister Of
War"
". BRAND. replying. said:
Il can only acknowledge receipt Of
your resignation and A. the sam time
express 20 YOU the grief with which ]
receive il. q grief which is shared by
an your colleagues in the ministry. /
hope that. cured Of the illness which
for the pomont forces you 70 iorego
active work. you may be able soon
again 20 take a prominent place in the
service Of the country"
General Roques was an intimate
friend % General Gallieni.
General Gallieni is now az Versailles.
where he shortly will undergo an
operation. President Poincare visited
General Gallieni yesterday.