South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-29
FOCH GIVES CREDIT TO
PROVIDENTIAL VISION
"A Man of Action NJ u t Never
Waste Time in Dreams" Says
the French Marshal.
BY MARSHAL FOCW
(In an Interview With Andrl De NIarCourD


affected by the hystera Of the war-and Of vic
tory-were those who performed the daily labor OF
conflict with minds too preoccupied with their
daily tasks 10 dwell upon the ideal aspects of the
catastrophe which enclosed them. History win
ponder long before passing fnal Judgment upon
the military leaders Of the past five years and
cess or failure brings into relief very different
qualities OF character But impressions gathered
from their public utterancos during the past few
months indicate that between the minds OF Foch
and of Ludendorf lies that distinction Of quality
by VIII W. divide genius from taIent-the intui-
uonal from the methodical and the uninspred
intellect Ludendorn is undoubtedly man who
has been made smaller by defeat Foch might
have survived such experience with much less
loss of prestige and esteem)
I have dreamed Of la revanche since I saw
Metz when was II years old. Now you can
understand that when OF ordinary capacity con-
centrates all his thoughts and all his study upon
single object and labOrs increasingly accomplish II
he stands chance Of success Certain conditions are
OF course essential In order 20 be force IN the world
a man must be objective subjective I
by that that man OF action must never waste time
in dreams Only facts count He must stick TO facts.
I really this war; Smoking pipe!
I mean that did get excited. I podded along u
an ordinary way avoiding useless emotions and reser-
ing all my energies for the practical business be-
fore me-
a very curious one. II was battle be-
tween governments Speaking OF people.
democracy and. above all. French patriotism
found themselves confronted by the kaiser. who
possibly an intelligent man. but not remarkably inteli
gent. He actor, wrapped up in himself and
therefore a competent Judge his actions.
Germany, TO be sure had magnificent army and pro-
fessonal soldiers of the first rank but did have
Moltke. OF Moltkes genius would have
been imprudent enough start a without the
forced upon him against his will I promise you that
he would have fought it along very different lines Yes
the Faiser directing formidable organization
managed by excellent directors. But just the it
express train entrusted to a bus driver. We
bound 10 win
People often ask me If I foresaw long war I do
not know. That was not my affair. The future isn't
business. and it is loss Of time and energy 10
occupy ourselves with uncertain predictions at the eX-
pense OF the business Of the moment I have always
wanted 10 finish my job in a workmanlike
whatever It might be Look out for today and tomor-
Will take Of itself providing we handle large
affairs with the same care and conscience that we de
o affairs. much speculation the
result Of action which believe necessary weak
ones force and effectiveness A person must not
let his imagination away with him
THE PRACTICAL EMOTIONS
Two emotions are appropriate and proper because
they are useful and serve practical purpose You
conceive what would happen both IN OF de-
feat and in case Of victory
DO 1 appreciate defeat would uean2 The
rifces had made were bloody and cruel. The more
cruel they were the more they made 1t our duty to
win such sacrifices must not be in vain. used 10
to myself: If do not win that IS the end Of
everything. We cannot permit ourselves 70 be de-
feated."
Now the idea Of victory. We must have # any
price Il VIII IT," Yes I VIII IT, That Is easy 20 say
But to win victory you must comprehend human
varies its essential factors though
NAV change it's methods and machinery We must re-
member that the greatest OF the military
Napoleon before he victor at Arcola had said %
himself: Il get OF Verona and that ne had
been defeated several times.
AT the Marine never let myself forget that lesson
had been beaten, and said TO myself: Il shan be
beaten four days, five days. ~ necessary: but
shall survive IT."
Above all things one must keep firm viii based
confidence But fl want honest couvic-
ton, those things nothing but words that win
is useless II il does know how employ facts Now
bear in mind I am not speaking of myself personally.
is that faculty OF sticking 90 facts that the
"a u
MUST FIND NEW SONG"
Tt is hard thing, very hard thing. for 90 he
you to retain full confidence and obedience you
must device. some new appeal 10 your
troops The you yesterday IS longer poDu-
lar today They won't bite AZ that They say- NO.
we listened your song have been beaten.
Wen not follow IL again" But you must keep going
ahead or everything is lost Consequently, sou have
TO devise plans and ideas without being diverted
for from the essential facts of the situation
got continue the action and above az.
must cothe your proceedings in garments
-a<a then, seem am entirely different a-e--fo7 7rt
is the only way you get follow you Then
they will We've had bad fan and tired
Of the business So you must always contrlve some
other immediate objective. intellectual device
that brings you identical results You have not a.r.-
ated in the slightest from your purpose yog have
created the appearance having changed your nar-
The object OF the maneuver is the same. al - does Eot
appear 10 be The French soldier. ID spite h.s
critical instincts loves variety and VIII catch at any
thing that new. He VIII follow sou with hlz
habItuaI courage and patriotic devotion .Sure' be
saws. we've not tried that ye-'
But the enemy strong win not y.ed unless our
teuacity and purpose exceed his own. Consequently
devise new plans and projects 20 keep up
courage every day Do you understand u'ee The idea
II WILL" isn't enough. You have got 70 present that
idea under inuuuerahle successive aspectr
WHEN THE CRISIS COMES.
spite OF that the moment finally arrives when tn
al appearance the situation IS hopeless when our
resources fail us The old 50 rareed that g.
VIII not longer hold together You ha-. aut ONE
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