Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-01-30
WORLDS WAR
WON EQUALLY
BY ALL-HAIG
British Idol Says Brightest
Moment of War Was Ar
rival of Gen. Pershing.
LAUDS FIGHTERS VALOR
BY FRANK W. ROsTOCK,
Newspaper Enterprise Association.

LONDON. Jan. 30-tRemembe Der, this is
not to be an interview" said Lord Doug
las Haig, field marshal of the British
army, when we sat down to chat in hts
office in the Horse Guards, Whitehall.
However. I will answer a few ques-
tions," he added, after I had tnttmated
the nature of the subject wished to dis
cuss with him.
Sir Douglas was the only officer I met
at the Horse Guards who did not wear
a uniform. His appearance in civilian
dress was far different than I had
thought it would be. He looked the
statesman rather than the soldier
had learned to picture Haig as another
Foch-a grim warrior, stern, cold, unbend-
ing, curt and military.
But the Haig who talked to me IN such
an informal, friendly manner, was diff
ferent man altogether Briefly, l should
describe him as the kind of man one
Awould like to have for his father-kind,
courteous, patient. pleasant
When met Foch in Paris 1 felt that
should want to he on his side. because
II would not pay to oppose him. When
met Haig l felt l should like to be on
his side, because he is the type of leader
who attracts by his personality as well
as by his ability.
GREAT CRISES OF WAR
DISCUSSED BY GENERAL.
AS we chatted, there fitted through
my mind the memory of one Of the great
crises of the world war, with this quiet,
unassuming man, slow and soft Of speech,
playing the central figure in a great
drama which for the moment promised
to become world tragedy.
There Is no other course open for us
hrTf 20 6yhf o11f has f,oYTe CT
be held to the last man; there must be
no retirement. With our backs to the
wall, and believing in the justice Of our
cause, each one of us must fight on to the
end. The safety OF our homes and the
freedom of mankind alike depend upon
the conduct of each one of US at this
critical moment"
Those were the closing words of mes
sage sent by Field Marshal Haig to the
British army in France and Flanders on
April IL, 1918.
The message was flashed around the
world.
1t thrilled every believer in the allied
cause and resulted in a quickening of
war activities in all allied countries.
DEFENSE STIFFENED
FOR GERMAN RUSH.
1t stiffened the British defense.
One hundred and six German divisions
were tepg hurled against the British
lines. Z he German goal was the sep
aratiOn of the French and English armies
and the capture of the channel ports.
Haig's men held. until reinforcemeucs
came. and stopped the German rush.
What, in your opinion, was the dark
est moment of the war;" asked Haig.
There were several dark moments" he
replied. Those which caused me the
most concern came at the time of the
first battle Of the Marine, when the Ger
mans seemed on the verge of taking
Paris, and In April, 1918, when the Ger
man aim was a separation of the Brit
ish and French armies, and the destruc-
ton Of the British army.
What was the brightest moment of
the war;" I then asked of him
There will always be a difference of
opinion about that" he answered. But
shall always remember the brightest
moment of the war that in which Gen
Pershing came to US. When I shook
Pershing's hand I knew that we could
not lose. I pictured the steady flow of
American troops across the Atlantic. The
coming of America meant that we surely
would win the war, that victory was only
a matter of time"
TRIUMPH SHARED
BIZ ALLIED PEOPLE.
In England there still is a great deal
of discussion as TO who won the war.
This also is true in France. The average
Bnglishman and Flcnchmau says Amer
lea came too late, that the war already
had been won.
"Who won fhe war;"
put it UP 70 Haig.
THAT question can be answered very
simply" was his quick reply. "It was
won by the people Of the allied nations.
Every soldier and every civilian who did
his bit deserves credit. It was not won
by any one or two nations The valued
cooperation of all was necessary"
Field Marshal Haig plans to take a
vacation, perhaps in France and Switzer-
land.
when I return I shall try to find
something to do which will advance the
interests of my country" was his clos
ing remark.
Haig plans to write a book on the war
Df historical nature. One Of his books,
Cavalry Studies" is regarded as inval-
uable by army men.
His chief form Of recreation is golf
and Mrs. Haig is his opponent as we'll as
companion on many of his expeditions
around the links