The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-11-29


Ecole de Guerre was established just
after the Franco-Prussian war as a
part of the reorganization Of the
French army, with view to discov-
ering just what happened in 1870,
But until FOch was detailed to the
school in 1894 II was just like trying
to find out the manner In which Mr..
William Patterson had been assaulted.
II was too soon after the war, for the
hearts Of both officers and students
were too heavy with sadness over the
loss Of Alsace-l.orraine to investigate
the facts dispassionately.
Foeh's Anti.German Strategy.
Foch was the first man to ill the
French with hope that French general
ship might be a match for German. AS
calmly, as automatically and as cold.
blOodedly as the German general staff
Itself, Foch set to work to analyze for
his pupils German military science. He
arrived at conclusion just the op.
rosite to what might be expected. In
stead Of declaring that In the next
war France must beat Germany at her
own game, he emphasized that French
strategy must be the opposite Of Ger
man, that iron-clad plans must give
way to nexibillty.
These principles had an enormous
effect upon French stan work during
the war, for the young students, who
were filed with enthusiasm over
Foch's maxims laid down in the School
Of War in the late nineties, were the
division commanders and the corps
and army stan officers OF the World
war. That France alone of the allies
had well-trained and active-minded
staff officers In 1914 Is largely due to
Foch.
Marshal Foch was born in Tarbes,
October 2, 1851. Boyish enthusiasm
over the campaigns OF Napoleon-he
had mastered Theirs "History Of the
Consulate and the Empire" before he
was twelve-flled him with the am
bition to enter the army. The year
previous to the Frenco-Prussian war
he was studying at st. Clements, o
Jesuit college In Metz, where more
candidates for army COMMISSIONS were
taught than at any other school In
France. He enlisted as q private In
the Fourth regiment Of infantry which
never got into action. Alsace-Lorraine
lost and with Il his beloved school at
Metz, he entered the PolytechniQue at
Fontainebleau, and after the usual gar.
rison life he was detailed to the Ecole
de- Guerre as assistant professor Of
military history and strategy.
His senss Of Proprlety.
Two stories may be told to illustrate
Marshal Foch's sense Of fitness OF
things. There Is the incident at his
headquarters car the night the German
commissioners arrived to negotiate fol
an armistIce. The military delegate
was wearing, among other decorations
the cross Of the Legion Of Honor
which had been conferred upon hin
before the war. The Germans hlet
into the small room In Marshal Foch's
car and saluted. Foch made no sign
but stared at the red ribbon thai
seemed so out of place among German
decorations. While his associates
hdgeted, the German officer finally
saw great light and In silence re
moved the French decoration. TheI
FOch acknowledged the salute and en-
tered into discussion of the arms
tice terms.
Then there was his tactful, punctili
Gus behavior the day of the Victor!
Fete in Paris, July IA, 1919. Prelim
mary plans had FOch selected TO Leaf
the allies march through the Arc d.
TriOmphe, but some friends Of Joffr
threatened to make political capita
II the senior marshal Of France di,
not have a place ut the head of tn
procession. 1t was a delicate matte
to decide which should precede tn
other. Foch was geperallssimO Of tn
allied land forces, yet in the Frenc
army he was outranked by Joffre.
1t was finally decided that the mar
shals should ride side by side, but
thanks to the tact of FOch, neithe
outplaced the other. AS supreme CON
mander of the Allies, FOch had the pc
sition of honor on the right, bu
throughout the whole five miles of tn
march through the streets of Paris
Marshal Foch was careful to keep hi
horse at least a yard behind Joffr'
Foch's right Of the line was Offset
his allowing Joffre to ride few fee
ahead, and the difficulty was solved.