The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09

r,on the fray with the knowledge that
4, 10 a fight for their very national ex-
i.,.nce. Each has taken up the sword
NTH the conviction that Il was rlsklng
81, all
II IL this feeling that has silenced in
a. xonderful manner all party dssen-
,ons IN the various countries concerned,
which has caused the Unionists. the
IIssrals and the Irish home rulers to
postpone indefinitely. by common con-
eent. their bitter contest concerning
lister. which but a few short weeks ago
had threatened to involve the Emerald
Isle. and oven Great Britain herself. N
fratricidal strife; while in Belgium the
Radicals and even the Socialists have
,n response to the patriotic appeal Of
King Albert Joined hands with their
political foes the Clericals and the
Ultra conservatives, in order to present
a united front to the German invaders.
n is this sentiment. too. that Is i'm
teliing France England, Austria, Rus
50. Germany and all the other nations
concerned carefully to select the leader
shin NJ their armed forces. those only
who appear "a them as best qualified to
undertake the terribly heavy RESPONSE
hlity NJ directing the defences Of the
country.
II may he therefore OF timely interest
10 offer here a few brief notes concern
ing the men nus chosen TO determine
the fate VI their native land ny victory
or by defeat on the battlefield or in
pAval action.
Probably tn, least known " them all
IN this country il the Generalissimo Of
the French Grmy. who left Paris on
TUESDAY last for the front. and who
hv the time that the mobilization is
completed VII have considera bly, over
100000 officers and men under his
command. obadicnt 10 his slightest word.
Gen. J5ffre. Tor that is his name. Il
re youuges officer Of his rank in the
French service. and IL indebted fOr his
position at the head OF the army not To
any political intrirues or favor hut tn
the unanimous votes of the foremost
generals in France. comprised in what
Is known as tho Superior Council of
War.
Three wears ago when the French ma
ton demanded the appointment OF a
CeneHlissimo who would enjoy SUI
preme command of the army in peace
end n war II was at first decided by
the Government TO appoint old Gen.
Pau b the post. He. however. declined.
partly because he realized that he would
under any circumstances be forcsd 10
ACRE on the score of age limit in eiCh-
teen months time and partly too be-
cause he felt that by reason of his re-
llgluls principles he would always be
an ohpct Of more or less suspicion II
the Ari-Clerical element of the Gov
emmett, ard that this suspicion would
hampe, him in the exercise OF his
duties n such a way as to AFFECT m
juriousb the safety of the eastern from
Ner. s. he nominated in mis- stead Gen
loire me Z his comrades in that war
II 1870 in which he lost his arm, and
ms choice was indorsed With cnthus-
iasn BY all his fellow generals OF the
Cnlseil Supericur de Guerrc, ny the
NNernment ana by the President.
Like So many great military leaders
GIN Joffre is a very silent man. rather
rqrinc in his demeanor. yet OF the KIND
d ouict,,t. most unaffected and easy
rgng manners, which do not al hrst
cnvey the impression Of his rigid VIII
Al, steellikc determination that con-
tttutp his chief characteristics. Bury
i1Agure with heavy haAen nustaVn'
painfully tnGed with SILVER 'nl'N'N
t,ed eyebrows. shading pair OF very
car blue ewes that often twinkle with
rsrlmcnt. are usually genial and nut
se'nm hard, he suggests "he" ~
Civilian clothes one OF those 'o"'uE
Cnutry gentlemen that are 10 ne iouH"
,n ural France. Vet he can be very
frt, and there are some WHO r'E"',,
h.nas' crsh. notably those "',l'ers va
high ran, comprising dozen 'oioielS
and no les than 1ve Generals VINO 'aS,
year at the close OF the 'ih"",
manmuvrr were by one sweeping anu
sudden stoke Of discipline renewed ny
him of tmr commands ana pace" vi
the retiroclist for inci'iciency; in ono
word fr ter failure to stand the stern
test NJ IN manrurrcs that had peeh
carried on under his direction.
During ne three years that ne ha'
feSn In surcmc command of the army
the latter has had time TO take NE
measure. ith nc result that II ha'
accorded , him its unbounded conn
deDce and believes in him as leader
who can h trusted to lead It to we
tory II" islilled and respected by I'M
officers andlbove all by the rank ah'
ne, tho Solirs describing him as th'
. finest of "Ni'ns de garde 'watch