The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-25


 It was a step forward But that was not enough. As soon as he as- sumed the reins of government in November, 1917, NJ. Clemenceau set to work to obtain more and better had informed him that he could count on President Wilson's aid. On the other hand, opposition was still man fest in London, and when, during a brief stay In Paris at the end of 1917, I publicly declared that the American and French governments were agreed on the necessity of a unity of command. several English newspaper protested. On the eve of my departure for New York, on De- cember 30, 1917. I had a last talk with M. Clemenceau. l said to him:
 They are going to talk to me again over there about unity of com mand And no doubt they will ask me, 'Who?' What shall say?"
 M. Clemenceau replied: "Foch.'
 Three months after, in the last week of March, 1918, the British army commanded by General Cough was broken and flung back on Amiens. On March 23 the bombardment of Paris by long range guns began. The breaking of the Franco British front brought us back to the darkest days of 1914. From the very first mo- ment of the crisis NJ. Clemenceau's mind was made up. From the ex- tremity of the danger he would snatch the solution sought In vain for so many months. To German unity of command he would oppose allied unity of command.
 Conference Arranged.
 ] have told above how on March 26 General Petain sent up 24 divi- sions to fill the gap created between our allies and ourselves. At 4 o'clock the same day after a meeting held at Marshal Petain's headquarters at between NM. Poincare. Clemenceau and Loucheur, who had motored from Paris with General Eoch and Lord Mlner representing Great Britain. it had been decided to discuss the question at another con ference next day.
 Who would be present at the con- ference? M. Clemenceau at once des Ignated Marshal Foch. It was later decided that General Petain would come also. After the meeting M. clemenceau took Lord Milner aside. He begged him insistently to bring to bear on Sir Douglas Haig all the pressure of his great authority in sup port of reorganization of the al- fed command. The battle of Amiens wasl at stake. Lord Milner promised ais assistance.
 On March 2e everybody met at Doullens. While General Haig was .alking with Generals Byng and 2lumer, NM. Poincare, Clemenceau | md Loucheur were in the Place du March with General Foch. The lat .er, in rapid and vigorous sentences. outlined the situation and the reasons for not giving way to despair. He said:
 I've will not withdraw. We will fight where we are. We must not indicate a line of retreat, or everyone will take it. We must hang on we must hold fast. We must not give IF another metre of ground. Remem- ,er October, 1914"
 M. Clemenceau listens. He nut CTS:
 "C'est un bougre"
 Eat Sandwiches
 Minutes fly-everyone waits .round eating sandwiches taken from ieneral Petain's car. At noon Lord Miner arrives. Again very briefly M Clemenceau talks to him--one 'eels what he is saying-and Milner goes in alone to General Haig With whom he talks 10 minutes. At 12:20 he general conference begins. After | statement of the situation in which by his clarity and confidence General Foch wins the admiration of III, the measures to be adopted for he organization of the command be- lore Amiens are taken up. It IS at his moment that General Haig pro- lounces the following words-I cite .extually from the notes of one who vas present-the echo of his conver- sation with Lord Milner:
 If General Foch will consent to give his advice, I shall be very glad Q follow it."
 There is no question yet of unity of M. Clemenceau is not sat- sfied. He rises and takes Lord Mill Ter off to a corner of the room; then ieneral Petain; then General Foch. These are brief a parate talks. in which short words are exchanged. The idea is suggested to attach Gen ,ral Foch to General Petain and en- rust him with liaison with tho Brit sh.
 M. Clemenceau answers sharply:
 "That's not what we are talking ,bout! What Foch needs Is an in dependent post from which he can 
 General Petain. a fine soldier. in- erjects at once:
 i'Everything you decide will be we'll done"
 CIe~enceau Writes