New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-16

artillery officer on the battlefield of the
Ourco. who had fought brilliantly in many
ether engagements and had risen TO sue
coed P6tain in command of the Nerdun
army when Petain was promoted to COM
mand the whole group of armies in that
section. Nivelle's popularity was height
ened by his brilliant success of October,
1916. before Verdun when he retook Dou-
aumont and NauY.
Nivelle was willing TO do what Petain
refused 10 do. He was willing to make
friends with the politicians, and 1t was
noted with something less than enthu-
siasm in the army that before the decision
was reached which made a new comman-
der in chief Nivelle journcyed to Paris to
talk with the politicians, while Petain re-
fused to leave his headquarters. Nivelle
was popular with the British, as his
mother was an English woman, and he
spoke their language. He was regarded
by Sir Douglas Haig and other British
officers as possessing keen fighting spirit
and a determination to break the deadlock
Of trench warfare by attack.
The BRAND Cabinet was in sore distress
already, and in its crisis it turned to Nj
velle. The decision was not popular in
the French army, nor was it particularly
popular with the French people. There
was a feeling that Petain should have
been named and that only political infu-
onces prevented it.. To fortify the selec-
ton. BRAND summoned Lyautey from
Morocco TO be Minister of War, seeking to
revive the Kitchener precedent, for Lyau-
tey had in Morocco repeated Kitchener's
great achievement in Egypt. Unhappily,
Lyautey quarrelled at once with the politi-
clans and became liability rather than
the chief of the assets Of the BRAND Cabi
net, and soon resigned and returned to
Morocco.
When the BRAND Cabinet fell Nivelle's
position became at once insecure, but it
was patent that nothing would happen
until he had had his chance to carry out
those plans he had long been formulating
for a general offensive. Meantime, having
taken command, Nivelle had disposed of
Joffre's lieutenants. Castelnau had been
sent to Russia. Foch had been retired,
and there had been sweeping changes only
less notable, all of which pointed toward
the elimination of the men who, with
Joffre, had fought the first two years of
the war.
Enthusiastically the change that has now
come in the decision Of the French
Cabinet is due to the fact that Nivelle,
having had his chance, has failed, and
that the lack Of decisive results in the
recent offensive on the French side has
compelled a complete revision-not mere
" of commanders, but of methods. Nor
IS it too much to conjecture that the
failure Of Nivelle to win decisive victory
has been accompanied by losses which have
gravely troubled the French Government.
The return of Petain probably means
the abandonment by the French Of any
general policy Of attack. 1t probably
means a return to the policy of Joffre,
which was policy of defending rather
tran of attacking, except in limited fields.
The return of Foch, who now becomes
chief Of staff, reopens career which In
many respects has been the most brilliant
on the Allied side during the war. 1t is
worth remarking that when the war opened
Foch and Petain alike were colonies, serv-
ing as professors in military colleges.
The restoration of Petan should awaken
no apprehension among the friends OF
France. 1t should be accepted as strength
oning, rather than weakening, the French
army. Nivelle was a brilliant experiment.
Petain is a tried and proven policy. Foch,
who stands with Petain, has been more
successful than any other French general
in the offensive. Petain is the greatest
defensive general of the war on any side.
No political influence can now drive the
French army into an ill-considered often
sive, and the man who now commands the
French army does not owe his place to
politicians. as his predecessor did, despite
his great achievement and unmistaka-
Bile ability.
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