The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-26

A0fn1fal ETancO1S DarIan.
 Of the three men General Game lin, chief of the general stah, IS considered the most competent and trustworthy because of his experi- ence as a staff officer under Mar Shal Joffre during the World War.
 With a strong tendency current n France today for the appoint nent of q generalisSimo in time of war it is likely that Gamelin would be the most favored candidate if that policy were finally adopted.
 The confidence Gamelin enjoys with all sections of public opinion is rare tribute which few general staff chiefs could boast under the Third Republic. The Popular Front government through its spokesman, the Minister of National Defense Edouard Daladier, time and again has praised Gamelin. Unlike his able predecessor Gen. Maxine Wey- gand who was lated by the left ele- ments who suspected him of Fascist Sympathies, Gamelin is claimed oy no political theology. He, in short, is a professional soldier who exc cutes orders from responsible polit- ical authorities regardless of thelr political complexion.
 Guides Rearming Program
 Gamelin's principal job is to rush Frances rearmament program 10 completion within the shortest pos sible time. In this onerous task he is receiving the unreserved coopera- ton of the Popular Front govern ment, which paradoxically enough has forced through greater appro- priations than in any period or French history save during the World War.
 Gamelin in fact has received carte blanche from Daladier. The chief of staff has only to pass on a re- quest to have 1t immediately ap- proved by Daladier.
 The chief of the general staff IS a member of the Joffre school whereas his predecessor Weygand IS one of the chief opponents of the Foch methods. It is generally recog- nized today that Gamelin was one of the chief artisans of the famous strategic retreat that ended in the first battle of the Marne. Through out that heart-breaking campaign he seconded Marshal Joffre in his das3erate effort to retreat orderly white preparing to join in decisive struggle.
 Joffre first noticed Gamelin's bril- liant qualities in 1906 when the lat ter, then a car tain, was completing his superior studies at the War Sck ool. Gamelin joined Joffre's staff ser.jng his chief until 1916. During the first two years of the World War Gamelin was the anonymous author of many of Joffre's orders.
 Trained at Saint Cyr
 Torn in Paris on Sept. 20, 1872, Gainelin received his early military training at the cadet school Of Salnt Cyr. He received his first commits sion in 1893. After three years with the Third Regiment of Algerian Tirailleurs in Africa Gamelin re- turned to France to serve with the geographical corps. He was made a captain in 1904. Five years after ne joined Joffres staff he was appoint ed the latter's chief of cabinet when Joffre was named chief of the gen. eral staff. A brief stay with a bat- talion of Alpine Blue Devils and Gamelin went into the fields Wltn Joffre in 1914 as 8 major.
 On, Aug. IS, 1914, Gamelin, m agreement with Generals BeEn' Pont, and Colonel Ragueneau, sug- gested to his chief retreat before the advancing Germans and re- alignment with the British forces His plan was to constitute a ne" French army near Lille ready to fall on the enemy's right flank .Joffre decided not to carry out the plan at the moment but he remem- bered it and remembered it espe- cially that 1t was Gamelin who had drawn up complete plans Tor the retreat. On Aug. 25, when he hnaliy decided on a retreat, he asked Ga 1nelin to draw up the general order This accomplished, Gamelin again was asked to plan the troop move ment when profiting by Won KICK $ error. the French decided to throw General Manoury's army into oattie on the Marne.
 Made Brigade Commander
 Named lieutenant-colonel in No vember. 1914, Gamelin became chle1 of operations at general headquar, ters and remained at that post untll Ienuary. 1916. when he took com- mand of the second brigade or tne chasseurs which he led on the Somme. Gamelin achieved real popularity with his men ln tnoSe days because of his close watch over their personal well being.
 Throughout his military career. Ciamelin's remarkable memory ana wide knowledge of geography ana topography served him well. lie IS renorted to have an amazing knoWl- edge of Napoleon's campaigns ana general military history. When al the age of A he commanded Iul, army division hls background aio ability to register miles Of terrain after a short survey were or mes timable value.
 In 1917 Gamelin became chief of staff of the Micheler armies and then commander of the Sth Division until the end of the war Gamelin was sent to Brazil at the head of the French military mis- sion but real action came again in. 1925 when he was dispatched to Syria to relieve General Sarrail during the Druse revolt. His quick action rescued a French detacf1- ment from certain massacre at Racaya.
 The small French garrison, ex- hausted by months siege by the Druse who were bent on massacring the French, was in despair. Game line requisitioned all cars in Bey- routh filled them with troops which French transport had just brought to Syria and rushed them to the
 .. rrt.- xo{v, fnwn aV,n oY1fS t,1rned