Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1918-06-12
A PEN PICTURE OF.
GENERAL FOCH
War Correspondent Gets Much
Comfort From Quiet, Master
" Pose of Allied Commander
(By GustaVe BsbIn)

PARIS. June Sit was rainy.
gloomy morning. Showers had fallen
since the night before but We were
awakened at dawn and given the good
news OF an audience with the gener-
al. II was the same day upon which
the conflict at the front, after q lull
OF some days, was renewed.
At half past eight the attack began.
II was a quarter past nine when we
were shown into the office OF the gen
eral. The first impression will always
remain with me, not only because OF
the gravity OF the situation on the bat
tie line but because Of the surprise OF
finding conditions 80 different from
those l had imagined.
The door opens and before us Is an
old style desk of mahogany and brass
over which a grey head is bending. 1t
was the general himself at work even
to the last minute. the general alone
In his room without an aide de-camp,
without an officer. without n secre'
tary. He rose and quickly we were
presented.
II was not the sumptuous surround.
inss of the prefecture of the Marne. at
Chalons with It's Louis XVI elegancies.
It's fine bronZes with their deep re.
Elections, but a lofty room, somber,
almost asture with walls OF light oak
and without ornament.
Behind the table, fastened to the
wainscot was a map OF a small scale
showing in light lines the movements
at the front for the last few weeks.
General Foch has not the imposint
figure OF Marshal Joffre and OF Gen
eral Petain. The first impression tina
he gives is that OF polite kindness
His voice is firm. precise. composed
In the same calm tone that he useC
but lately In the fight before Monde
ment, he speaks to us now. I pass
over the kindly greetings and then h
said:
Gentlemen, you know the Bitus
ton; our affairs are not in a bad way
The Boche. since one must call hin
by this name-and there is in the U.s.
of this term the indescribable aver
sion OF n man OF good breeding for {
coarse word-the Boche. is stopped
and prevented from advancing sine,
the 27th. You can see from thi
chart,
The general turned toward the mai
very small on the high wainscot Hi
slender. index finger followed from
the north to the south the line OF th
battlefront since last night.
"You see this" continued he, "th
wave, spends itself on the sand!
shore. Without doubt It has met Al
obstacle. Now We are going TO tr,
to do more. There Is nothing more t
say. Continue your task. One mus
take things as they come. You d
work with your uen. We will worl
with our arm"
The general shook hands and W
saw him so calm, so master OF him
self, reseat himself at his table-a
neat az everything else about him
and begin to write.
I do not know how to tell the I'm
preston Of deep confidence and hop
we carried away with us from this In
teryiew, short al q Vision. His eye
with their fine light OF intelligence
his integrity, his calm energy. tn,
firm mouth. the tone OF his voice, al
are compelling In this man and al
contribute 10 anchor our faith In him
But did he say hundred words? II,
said convincing. decisive words-"Th,
wave has spent itself. Now W
arc going to try TO do more" Ant
again, There Is nothing more TO say
which is the conclusion of a man o
ACTON and seems to be n fsyorlt'
phrase OF his for at the anniversary
OF the battle OF the Marine he said
"Monsieur President that Ia all have
10 say"
And he had not spoken OF his owl
personal part. OF his faithfulneBs oil
his zeal, OF all those military virtues
which are his and upon which rests
our confidence for q final victory