In a real blockade all neutral shipping
must be stopped, and Germany cannot do this."
One of the staff said "Bluff!" which has apparently been adopted into
the French language, and the rest nodded their approval.
Their talk moved on to aeroplanes, to shells, to the French artillery.
General Foch considered that Zeppelins were useful only as air scouts,
and that with the coming of spring, with short nights and early dawns,
there would be no time for them to range far. The aeroplanes he
considered much more valuable.
"One thing has impressed me," I said, "as I have seen various
artillery duels--the number of shells used with comparatively small
result. After towns are destroyed the shelling continues. I have seen
a hillside where no troops had been for weeks, almost entirely covered
with shell holes."
He agreed that the Germans had wasted a great deal of their
ammunition.
Like all great commanders, he was intensely proud of his men and their
spirit.
"They are both cheerful and healthy," said the general; "splendid men.
We are very proud of them. I am glad that America is to know something
of their spirit, of the invincible courage and resolution of the
French to fight in the cause of humanity and justice."
Luncheon was over. It had been a good luncheon, of a mound of boiled
cabbage, finely minced beef in the centre, of mutton cutlets and
potatoes, of strawberry jam, cheese and coffee.
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