Page:Armistice Day.djvu/217

Rh The marshal drew a whiff from his pipe, and, continuing to let his reminiscences fall, one by one, he pursued:

"I have known far more difficult hours than that. For instance, those of November, 1914, when I prevented the Allies from abandoning Ypres. At that time I did not possess any document conferring the high command on me. Then I was not a commander-in-chief of the French army; I was only a simple general. In the conferences which I had with him, French said:

I am a field marshal and am alone responsible toward England for the fate of the British army. I am of the opinion that that army should retreat!' To which I replied:

"I have no orders to give to you; I only take the liberty of tendering my advice to you, and I am just thinking of the fate of your army, which is very dear to me. If it retreats it is lost, for the retreat will turn into a disaster. No one can prevent you from commanding, but only just think of your responsibility.' On his side the King of the Belgians, during the conversations I had with him, said to me:

The constitution holds me responsible to my people for what remains of my army. I cannot sacrifice it.' To which I replied:

Sire, just think of your responsibility and be certain that you will sacrifice your army if you