3 OCTOBER 1925, Page 2

In some respects we consider Marshal Lyautey as the most

distinguished Frenchman alive. He has been the pre-eminent success among the administratrra of French Colonies and Protectorates, and we are proud to think that he has always studied British methods and tried to copy them. This was the more difficult because French adininistration abroad is much more highly cen- tralized in Paris than the British temper could ,stand : the officials are allowed little discretion and are expected to carry out policies and orders regardless of their own Opinions. Marshal Lyautey first knew Northern Africa forty-five years ago as a soldier. He did good work in Indo-China and Madagascar, and returned to Morocco in 1910. During the War he was called to Paris and became Minister for War for three months.