Clemenceau was Premier, this being his first term.
One day Foch was surprised by being invited to dine with the Premier.
When he arrived he was still further surprised to note that he was the
only guest. The "Tiger" did not broach the subject of the invitation
until the coffee cups were cleared away. Then he said abruptly, and
apropos of nothing that had gone before:
"I have some news for you, General. You are appointed Director of the
Ecole de Guerre."
"But I am not a candidate, sir," replied Foch, taken completely by
surprise.
"Possibly not," replied the Premier drily, "but you are appointed
nevertheless, and I am sure you will do good work there."
"I thank you for the honor," said Foch with some embarrassment, "but
aren't there--difficulties? I am a Churchman, you know."
Clemenceau laughed.
"Probably you are not aware," continued Foch, finding it difficult to
proceed, "that one of my brothers is a Jesuit."
Clemenceau laughed again.
"I know all about it, and I don't care a rap," he answered. "Mon
General, or rather, Monsieur le Directeur, you may consider yourself
appointed, Jesuit or no Jesuit. We need men of your stamp to train up
officers in our army."
Foch held this responsible position for several years just preceding
the Great War.
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