The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-24

somehow an impression OF amazing
efficiency, and Foch more than any OF
them.
He began to talk as soon as we were
grouped around him. He spoke in an
ordinary conversational tone without
oratorical effect, but very clearly. On
lessen says he has a slight dialect
due to The fact of his being south
Of France man. Most OF us. could I'M
An N E-r~.a, ~ssH rrss> ny
was saying, but only a couple presefir
who happen to be Jparticularly well
versed in French could get it all
/ There was no attempt to interpret bia
remarks at the moment although Du
lessen usually does that for US in such
cases. He promised the full text later
on.
Talks With His Hands
At the end OF each sentence Foch
uses an ejaculation whichs sound
ike hah.' with rising infection.
but ii Is merely a habit of speech.
He employs both hands in ges,icula-
ton as he talks. He employs them
constantly. Now it's the right now it's
left, but one or the other is going up
or down all the time. None the less.
he gestculates with grace.
He was dressed in a dark blue uni
form. On each sleeve were seven
little gold stars. There was no insignia
OF rank on his collar or shoulders. On
his left breast, he wore twelve differ
ent ribbons. indicating military dec
Grafton OF one kind or another. one
OF them was an American distinguish
ed service medal. His leather legg-
ings did not match his shoes. His
shoes were run down at the heels and
generally pretty well worn. on his
left wrist he wore a silver watch. On
the third finger of the left hand he
wore wedding ring. Otherwise he
had no adornments. Many a lieuten-
ant dresses more elabroately than the
marshal of France. He had no at
PENDANTS with him when he received
MS, Not even some distinguished
French correspondents with his party
were admitted to the interview.
The marshals voice is very pleasant
He talks rapidly, but enunciates most
clearly, He looked first one then
another in the face as he talked. His
eyes seem to reflect the soul of the
old soldier. When he speaks of his
beloved France they light up with
singular radiance. This is the truth.
There are moments when they seem
most weary. Then the name of France
crosses his lips and his eyes burn with
a holy fire?
AN american interview diners from
French interview. When an Amer
lean Is interview, he Is content to
merely answer questions without go
ing beyond them. a French man
makes sort o. set speech. Once a
correspondent INTERCEPTED a question
which Marshal Foch answered pres
en- y. bu. !, WIS me only one offered
Frequently his big gray moustache
was lifted in smile at his own re-
marks, or. rather at our thoughts
II IL not likely that Marshal Foch
prepared his remarks in advance.
They sounded to be extern oraneous.
He spoke as soldier. We shall not
here attempt to analyze what he said
IL seemed to all of us q most memo
/ rabie statement
1t seemed to us that its keyhote
vast let us keep the watch on the
Rhine"
Generals are not often as outsroken
OF thought and sentiment as this
brave old soldier
] 1t was very hot in the steam heated
car-~so hot that moisture covered the
windows. The figures of French of
hcers. English naval men and Amer
lean notables, in civil dress moving
around outside seemed faint and
ghostly.
Tho voice OF Marshal Foch rose
and fell in musical cadence. brokrn
occasionally by that inexplica bic
''hah,' for a quarter of an hour. then
Z suddenly halted. He had said what
he had TO say. Lieutenant Du lessen
agaIng was agoc.
II was time to go
! One by one the correspondents
! passed before Marshal Foch and shook
! hands with him again. To each of us
he said pleasing. Bon jour. mon
sieur."
And inside us as we went out into
| the muggy air Of Tier there was a
( profound feeling emotion akin 10
/ reverence that we had had the privi-
/ leEe of seeing and hearing this man
whose name will pass down through
centuries as one OF the saviours OF
! humanity.