New-York tribune., 1918-09-30
Foch of Metz
Tho Ne,p York Tribune
F0rcf0n Prsss Bureau

the French, while F0ch was n student OF
the Institut Polytechnique of Metz, ono Of
the older teachers at the college, Father
Caussier, prophescd that Foch would some
day be one Of those to replace the French
banner on the Cathedral of Metz. In
tribute to Foch tho writer in "Le Gaulos"
declares:
"rhe glory of Foch illumines at this mo-
ment two French cities now suffering mar
tyrdom Metz and Nancy They occupy 80
much space in tho life Of the new Marshal
of France!
at was in Metz that Foch prepared him
self for the army. His father sent him to
the College Saint Clement, directed by the
Jesuits.
THE writer of these lines, a faithful of
the university, counts among his best
friends former students Of Saint Clement,
always full of gratitude to their former
teachers. One Of these teachers, whom in
respect for his knowledge and righteous
ness we will pardon his originality, made
the following prophetic statement about
Foch:
"Decisive character; geometrical mind;
has in him the stuff Of polytechncan."
"At that early period the polytechnician
was already man. His fellow students
granted him the prize of wisdom with una
nmity.
"All of Foch's fellow students remember
his appearance at the age of fifteen. He
was energetic and mild at the same time
savage and sincere, impctuous and thought
full. with blond hair and square chin, walk
ing with STOPPING head, but always look
ing at people directly in the face. This
habit of walking with STOPPING head once
almost cost his life. One day while walk
ing in the corridor Of Saint Clement he
strack against one of his friends, Rvct de
Chausscperrc, who was running in the op-
posite direction. The terrible shock hurled
them both to the pavement. After they
had been picked up and cared for in hos
ptal they loved each other the more after
ward, as both regretted their thoughtless-
ness which might have cost the life of the
comrade
"What became Of the other? He was
killed in the war of 1870 in front of Metz,
where he served az lieutenant. Foch said:
beautiful death! Rivet de Chausse pierre,
VIC envy thee and we will avenge thee.
Earlier or later, with one unanimous effort
we will run against Germany head erect
after the war Of 1870 Foch returned TO
Metz to finish his preparations for the poly
tochnc school All of Metz was full of The
odor Of the barbarian invasion. In this
choking atmosphere Foch worked with all
his passion. His two teachers. Father La
Couture, excellent mathematician, and
Father Saussicr, former naval officer pro.
phesied the career which was to open for
their favorite pupil
"'You will see.' said Pere Saussier that
Foch will be ono of those to replace the
French banner over there And he pointed
with his finger at the spre of the Cathe-
dral.
"'I will not see it, perhaps, replied
Father La Couture, but surely Metz will
sec it,
"In July, 1871, Foch went to Nancy to
take his written examinations At that
time, though Nancy was not annexed like
Metz but it was invaded just as Metz, while
the Germans were waiting till the ransom
should be paid. General Manteuffel was
living i'll the government palace, in the
Office later occupied by Marshal Foch at the
eve of the Of 1914.
when Foch finished his last composition
he listened to the end of the hateful Ger
man retreat and uttered the great oath
which has directed all his existence
"Forty- two years later. in August, 1913.
when he was made commander of the goth
Corps in Nancy, he ordered a demonstra-
ton without precedent on his arrival in the
city. Tho bands and bugles of six regi-
ments played with marvellous effect the
Marche de Sambre ct -Meuse,' the famous
battle music of the French army. 1t seemed
to Foch that the air in Nancy was purified
at last.
"Foch carried his Nancy division in the
inmost depths Of his heart He performed
with it the mannuvres at the Camp de
Mailly, in July 1914 employing all his pa
triotic faith and his military science From
early dawn he was hurryng across hills.
valleys and woods trying to find the places
the most favorable for surprises watching
anxiously his advancing columns and con-
trolling all that splendid living machinery
AT the end of the mannuvres General
de Castelnau held an inspection He con-
graduated the men for their spirit and
their endurance. These are beautiful and
indispensable qualties,' he concluded. But
the French soldiers ought to add to these
another virtue: the spirit Of sacrifice. The
best way to save life is to despise death.
The coward goes to the abyss while walking
backward He does not resist There are
no towards among us. This will be proved
at the day of trial
While pronouncing these last words the
voice of General de Cas.elnau, the future
defender of the Grand Couronne de Nancy,
trembled so that all the soldiers were
moved
con July the eleventh division re-
turned to Nancy.
The 69th consisted of two sections: One
lett at II o'clock in the evening, the other
IN the morning of the following day.
While the soldiers were returning to