New-York tribune., 1920-04-12
|FOch Believes
Germans Will
Quit Ruhr Area
Silent Throughout Crisis,
Marshal Is Credited With
Confidence That Situation
Will Be Cleared Soon
Sees No British Break
Considers Berlin Cannot
Start New War for the
Next Three or Four Years
Special Cable TO The Tribune

Copyright 1920. New York Tribune Incl
PARIS, April 11.--At least ono sign
that it is a civil and not a military
government that rules in France is
the fact that during the whole OF the
present crisis Field Marshal Foch has
not raised his voice. Foch has great
deal to say on the subject, but it is
an iron rule in France that soldiers
leave the talking to politicians and
wait until they're called upon before
they begin speaking or acting. All
interviews with Foch, therefore, are
denied on this principle, whether it is
true or false.
However, from inquiries have made
it appears there are several matters
upon which Foch's opinion may be re-
flected with accuracy. Foch is far
from being the silent man he some
trary, he has strong opinions and ex-
prepared to discuss and dispute with
anybody On any subject. When the
conversation is over, however, he likes
it forgotten. None in tho world may
be said to have held more military
responsibility than Foch during certain
phases of the war. From military re-
sponsibility he never shrinks, but he
is shy about having his conversational
phrases quoted back to him.
Sees No War at Present
Yet there is one opinion credited to
Foch which may be taken seriously. It
refers to military matters and on Mill
tary matters Foch is one of the worlds
greatest authorities. Foch considers
that the Germans cannot at present
start new war. The Germans may be
able to cause armed disturbances on q
larger scale, but their commencement
of new var, properly speaking, is out
Of the question for the next three or
four years. 1t is one Of Foch's favorite
apn orisms that one can know how and
when something begins, but can never
be sure how and when it will end.
Though Foch has applied this phrase
to the present crisis, 1t doesn't pre-
vent him saying how the situation ap-
pears to him. He might be quoted as
follows:
"I'm perfectly confident that the
present crisis will be solved more easily
than people imagine. We have only to
many will abandon their plans. The
German resistance may extend over
longer period, but in the end they will
submit. When the crisis came and the
Germans poured troops into the Ruhr
asking permission only afterward, rapid
action on the part Of the French gov
ernment was necessary.
"Our advance has nothing to do with
any imperialism on our part. When
the Reichswehr leave the Ruhr prov
inces we shall withdraw our troops.
Pm confident Of the future and remain
optimistic" t.4A ~
Praise for' Aaeri,sa Army
Foch doesn't take the present trouble
with England very seriously and be
lieves both countries remain united by
the sacrifices made together.
Foch hasn't many weaknesses, but
one Of them is for the American army
the American troops with
the wistful eye of master of military
art, he says: America could become
q military power Of the very highest
rank"
Foch cannot give higher. praise
than that. Foch's admiration for the
American soldier is all the more re-
for the French don't lightly praise
qualities in other nations. 1t is un-
derstood that Foch also pays high trb-
ute to some of the staff work Of the
American army, with which he was
familiar. 1t may be said. however, that
tho great military genius has no par
ticular affection for one man in Amer
lea, just as he has none for one man
in France. With these two men his
temperament Is in profound disagree
ment. Foch, however, likes America.
He takes particular interest in her
since he acquired great admiration for
American .troops. He is personally
He talks about American politics as
freely aa ha dtscuaaaa o,xa xuf NJ.