The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-13

Special Cable to THE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright. 1890. bL THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. Nov. t2.
what passed at Doullens on March
%, 1915" writes Stephane Lausanne.
in a chapter in his book just published.
called Men 1 Have known" This
chapter, which will appear in the
Hdtin Tomorrow gives new YER
sion of that momentous meeting In the
little town In northern Trance which
decided that the allied armies should
coordinate their activities under one
Generalissimo.
The German attack Of March 23.
which had smashed the sorthernmost
of the British armies. had advanced
from .ha ine of ST. Quentin almost
TO AmenS. The whole Allied front
was Threatened and Trench and
American troops bad been started
northwarh tn the all OF the British.
The Situation was go critical hat a
conference If allied statesmen and MILL
tary chiefs was called, the British cross
ing from london and the French COINS
north from Paris. They met at Doul-
lens.
Tells of historic Meeting.
According to NJ. Lauzanne. this Is the
narrative Of what preceded and what
occurred at that meeting:
son Sunday. March %. 1918. as eve-
ming approached. Clemenceau met Poln-
care at the Elysee Palace. This was the
fourth dav IF the German offensive In
the Somme and Disc sectors. 1 have
come from Compeigne.' said the Premier
without preliminaries. I have seen Gen.
Petain. II is bad everywhere. We must
even consider evacuating Paris
of that there is no question what
ever was Poincare's answer.
"'I am going to Compeigne directly
this very night. responded the Premier.
'Ot course shall see Petain again, and
will let you know by telephone during
the evening what he says
"The same night about IL o'clock the
telephone message came.
'It was the voice OF the Premier. 4
have seen Petain again. 1t said. Tie
does not change his opinion
Very well, we will discuss the mat
ter later on Poincare hung up alb
ruptly. breaking the telephone connec-
zion.
THAT night enemy raids were being
made over Paris. During this excite
Inent the President wrote letter 20 the
Premier--and It expressed opposition.
Before making a final decision. however,
he suggested calling the Ministerial
Council in session. The suggestion was
. approved and the council was convoked
the following morning.
"Clemenceau. when he arrived, was
feeling out of sorts. Under his exterior.
which is brutal. he is of noble character
and susceptible p suggestion.
Upon the arrival Of the Ministers he
made the following remarks:
"'We will have conference day after
tomorrow ar Dpuliens with a repre-
sentative OF the Government of Great
Britain. [ would suggest that be ac-
companied by the President, and that
would give him an opportunity TO Judge
for himself
"This was agreed TO. On Wednesday.
March %. Poincare went to Doullens by
autom9bie When Poincare left his au-
toMobile he was informed that Marshal
Haig was at the Town Hall comforting
with some Of his army commanders, and
IL might be best not to Interrupt him.
The members of the delegations walked
70 and fro In the party we're Poincare.
Clenenceau. Loucheur. Minister Of Mu-
nitions. and q General. The General
hayed about with an old cane which a
pollu had presented TO him.
Gen. Foch tn Party.
"This man was Foch.
mo one knew exactly who had In
vited him to come. There was no dis
putting. however, that he was there.
SyVhen he saw Poincare he drew near