The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-08

From the French Of Paul Fuchs In
Je Sais Tout, Paris: There are two
men In him: an Anglo-Saxon and a
Frenchman. This happy duality, the
source of rare and varied qualities
the supreme commander of the Am
erican forces in France owes to his
| ancestry; in 1749 his forefathers
emigratsd from Aisace to America.
II, by rare chance, you are granted
an interview with the general in the
Elegant Louis XVI house in the Rue
de Varennes, which serves as his
headquarters when he spends a few
days In Paris, It is the first OF these
two personalities-the Anglo Saxon
that he viii show to YOU And the
very British coldness Of the reception
he will give you comes as much from
that part OF his origin as from the
reserve imposed upon a military
chief.
Large, svelte as a sublieutenant, he
Rraces well his khaki uniform. He is
courteous, but cool. Only the officer,
conscious OF his duty and determined
to say nothing touching upon official
matters, is before you. His blue eyes
are very clear and cold. even hard.
His powerful jaw shows mis- great
energy, and his mouth, straight and
tight as a saber slash, shows no sign
Of smile. Do not try to get from
him any comment on his mission; do
not ask him for any personal anec-
dote.
"Ths general can say nothing about
that" is the invariable response the
interpreter makes to any such ques-
tions. And, above all, do not try to
question him about his private affairs,
his sorrows or his joys. His manner
hnanF4ae hazfTmwVTm h.y.I H,n
come almost hostile, and, even before
he has time to speak, the interpreter
will answer for him: THE general
does not believe that would interest
the public"
A Great Change In Private.
But IL, by chance of acquaintance
with someone in his rare circle Of
intimates you have opportunity to
meet him unofficially, what a delight
full and marvellous change. He shows
himself, on such occasions, COM
panionabie, charming and spontane
Gus. To the old French cordiality
and commissioners is added the
blithe gaiety of the Anglo Saxon
when he wishes to unbend. The blue
eyes which had stared so coldly
twinkle with mischievousness and
tenderness, the face lights with
smiles and the gestures, just now so
stiff, have become easy and express
siYe. Under this mastery of self Is
found a fund Of good humor, a deli
cate sensibility, but he is always on
his guard He is a charmingly
talker. He recounts most
his many experiences, !
for the geenral has travelled all over
the world and he has retained most
accurate mind pictures of his widely
SsaA kof vVaa An 4
terests him, science, literature, art. |
He takes great interest in painting
and tells how. when on a visit in
Paris before the war. he found re-
newed pleasure each day in the pic |
lures in the Louvre.
And above all he tells OF his salts |
faction in fighting on Frances side. |
OF course. that satisfaction, in part, |
Is the natural satisfaction Of a sol |
der in fulfilling his duty, but there |
Is something far beyond that in this 4
ease. II is the higher satisfaction of |
performing his mission in a disinter- /
ssted cause; Of taking part in a war
not merely to settle the score between !
peoples OF today. but to make a bet
Ter future for the world as well. But, /
e he consents to tell something OF 4
his hopes and dreams. he still re-
mains. even as I'm the house i'm the l
Rue de Varennes. a sphinx on any
hing that touches his private life,
To speak Of himself appears inn
possible to this man. His reserve in 4
hat respect is not imposed by 4
exterior discipline. but comes rather
rom natural delicacy. And there is
another reason. Fate struck this
upon whom the whole
world smiled. a blow from which one
his indomitability OF spirit
,ould not have risen; his wife and
.hree daughters whom he loved most I
enderly. persisted In a fire in San
Francisco early IN 1914. The general i
Vas on his way to Mexico to take
command. The crushing news reach
"a him by telephone.
General Porahinu and Roosevelt.
Up to that tragic hour he had /
znoWm only joys It seemed as If a
rood fairy went before him with her
magic ring. opening the way for him.
ID 1906. at the age Of As. he still 1
vas captain. However he already 4
lad distinguished himself not only Ia /
lattle with Indians and kiiipinos but /
.lso IN military works which had \
,een published and were known ia