Foch was hastily empowered to order whatever he deemed advisable to prevent the separation of the English and French armies.  It is apparent that the wide powers thus hurriedly given to him were bestowed with the approval of every member of the conference.  In October, 1918, however, in responding to a note of greeting from Lloyd-George on the occasion of his sixty-seventh birthday, Foch recognized the weight of the British Prime Minister’s influence at the conference: 

“I am greatly touched,” he replied, “by your congratulations and thank you sincerely.

“I do not forget that it was to your insistence that I owe the position which I occupy to-day.”

Foch’s new responsibilities were laid upon him on March 26.  By evening of the 28th he had the situation so well in hand that he was able to hold in check the German onslaught without even employing all the troops he had brought up for that purpose.  He had averted what threatened to be the worst disaster of the war, and he had reserves in readiness against a new and augmented attack.  This in two days!

On the 30th an official announcement told all the world that the destinies of the allied armies were by common consent confided to the general direction of Ferdinand Foch.

On that same day there was made public, by the French war authorities, something which had taken place and had contributed in a degree we are not yet able to state, to the investment of Foch with supreme power.  This was a visit made by General Pershing to Foch.  In the presence of Foch, Petain, Clemenceau and Loucheur (Minister of Munitions) Pershing made the following declaration: 

“I come to tell you that the American people would hold it a great honor if our troops were engaged in the present battle.  I ask you this in my name and in theirs.  At this moment there is nothing to be thought of but combat.  Infantry, artillery, aviation—­all that we have is yours.  Use them as you will.  There are more to come—­as many more as shall be needed.  I am here solely to say to you that the American people will be proud to be engaged in the greatest and most glorious battle in history.”

[Illustration:  General Foch—­General Pershing]

On April 5, a week after his appointment to the supreme command was announced, Foch granted an interview to a group of war correspondents.  Their various accounts differ very slightly.  Instead of quoting any one I will make a digest of them.

They found the general installed in a provincial mansion, place not named.  The room he occupied was nearly bare; an old table, an armchair, a telephone, a huge war map, no profusion of papers, no “air of importance.”