The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-12


 But such was, notwithstanding the advantages won by NJ Clemenceau. the attachment of some great men to our original proposal, that. even be- fore the agreement was made pub lie, strong opposition broke out. | Hardly was the discussion between the allies closed than 1t began be- tween the French, Marshal Foch, whose views the French government had so strongly defended, feels that the time limits accepted by M. Clem- enceau destroy the value of the guar antee.
 He does not hide his way of think rng even from the press. On April IT he refuses to transmit to General Nudant. president of the armistice commission with the German govern ment, the convocation which the council of four had decided to ad- dress to the enemy p1enipotentiarle for April 25. On the 18th Le Matin publishes an article Qnspired by him and the proofs of which had been cor rected by one of his officers) against the conditions of peace. Then 1t is an interview in the Daily Mail. the reproduction of which is forbidden in the French press by the censorship. but which none the less has its echo in the Hobbies of Parliament, where a resolution is prepared to be presented in the Senate.
 Creates Friction
 These incidents. and others as we'll. create 6 certain amount of friction l in allied circles. They obllge NJ. Clemenceau to defend the command er-in-chief with some warmth against the criticisms of some heads of governments who blame his recent interventions. M. Clemenceau re- srets them as much as they do. But he makes 1t plain, with generous foresight, that the men of victory must stick together and that the image they hold in the nations mind l be not broken" The discussion Is somewhat sharp. Lloyd George and Mir. Wilson take the view that the commander-in-c chief has no right to adopt the attitude he has assumed l in the past two days. They say:
 We very willingly placed our armies under the supreme command | of a French general for whom we l have the highest admiration and the deepest gratitude. But this general, no matter how great his glory, is an obstacle to the decisions of the gov ernments. We cannot accept this sit | have conferred to be turned against us. It is a Fundamental question of constitutional responsibility"
 They add;
 We are today as yesterday ready to accept a French general as com- mander-in-e chief. But we must have a general who obeys the govern ments"
 NJ Clemenoeau. to gain time. him self sends to General Nudant the message which Marshal Foch had de- clined to transmit. and on the 18th fin the evening asks NJ Poincare to summon Marshal Foch. On the 18th thQ heads of the allied governments asked NJ. Clemenceau what he had done in the matter. NJ Clemenceau replies that he Is going to see the marshal immediately after the coun- ell. and that the next day he will be able to inform them. As we were leaving the Hoted Bischoffsheim, M. Clemenceau says to me:
 "Foch is coming presently. AL though he has unquestionably put himself in the wrong. I want to get him out of it. don't want the chief of victory to be touched
 ask him If he expects to succeed He answers:
 "I think so."
 Marshal Foch Arrives
 Marshal Foch arrives at 6:15 at the ministry of war. NJ. Clemenceau ex- plains the situation to him. The marshal, somewhat embarrassed. says that he has been misunderstood; that he made objections. but that he does not refuse to send the convocation to the Germans; that he knows nothing | fo1n enceau reminds him that he wrote letter of refusal on receipt of the order to transmit the convocation. He cites the name of the officer or his staff who went to correct the proofs. The marshal remains silent M Clemenceau says to the marshal:
 Come. you are sorry for all that aren't you?"
 The marshal answers: q regret It with all my heart.
 NJ. Clemeneeau. full of cordiality' 1 begs him not to allow himself to ne used by papers and politicians, anu as he shows him out, he pats him on the shoulder with friendly brisk ness: l Look here" he says. they are pulline<your leg. Don't let them." 1 And the marshal. smiling, answers:
 "All right. I will call off my dogs of war
 | A frank avowal by the great sol dier of the pressure that his over wrought entourage has brought to bear upon him. M. Clemenceau is now sure of adjusting the matter which, 1 from the very first, he had been anx- ious to do. He telephones the result of his interview to NJ. Poincare and | the next morning. April 20. at 10 
 got me out of more than one tight l corner.
 | MT. Ducane is a fine man." re-