Michel was highly successful in training reservists, a goal that especially appealed to the Republican political element in France. They succeeded in pushing him to the top level. Michel was appointed Vice President High Council of War on 10 January 1911, which made him Commander in Chief designate of the French Army. However, the more conservative elements who largely dominated the senior ranks of the French Army were deeply suspicious of the Republicanism of the reservists, and believed they would be inferior soldiers. They distrusted Michel's competence. Ralston, p. 330.Cole, 1979.
