Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-10
"OUR JOFFRE,'' THE HERO OF FRANCE
His Passion for Efficiency Turned Nations Despair Joy-Hs
Lkened the Wine of His Native Province, "Stengh
Yelled In Sweetness"

X ENERAL JOFFRE, to whom all France
VI pays grateful homage is not too great
to make pun. After that swift retreat
from Belgium to the Marine, which brought
CONSERVATION and encouragement to his
countrymen he suddenly took the offensive
and the Germans did the retreatng Seem
ing defeat was turned into victory. 1t seemed
a miracle. The miracle was this: In those
dark two weeks the gereralissimo recon-
structed his army that in the end it was at
last fit for offensive work. The pun was this
When the Germans began to fall back and
France began to understand the accomplish
ment Of that startling retreat the victorious
General chuckled, "J'offre-mais je prends!"
"I seem to give, but really talSe!"
Today France has unbounded faith in the
commander-in- chief. He himself radiates
confidence He is a man who does things
with few words, with no fuss. He is an ef-
fciency engineer. Four years ago he was
raised to supreme command OF the army of
France. AS his predecessors had done less
efficiently before him he set about getting
ready for that next war which both Ger
many and France had long expected. He
reorganized the plans for mobilization. He
forced the 3-year-service law on the coun-
try. The war came. Mobilization was eff
fected in surprisingly quick time The g.
year-service law-most unpopular of laws
saved France Thirty more generals whose
work failed to meet the commanders stand
ards of efficiency have been retired since the
war began.
The Man Who Is Never Tired
Joffre is never tired. He takes good care
Of himself He carefully regulates his eat
ing and sleeping He is always brisk His
eyes are always clear. He is always ready
for work. BY his observance of strict hy-
gienic rules he keeps himself up to the high
est point of efficiency.
Says a writer in ILLUSTRATION: 1--WE have
heard by what self-imposed discipline Cen
eral Joffre has trained himself to endure the
fatigues of the campaign-regularity in his
work, sobriety in his diet regular exercise
and sleep. An English journalist has mar
rated how he saw him arrive at an inn in
Flanders, where the cook, in provision Of the
coming of the illustrious soldier had killed
her fattest chicken and prepared her most
savory sauce. The Generalissimo came in
like bomb, asked for an omelette and was
gone again. One had time only to notice the
clear look in his eyes, the rich fullness of his
voice"
His personal appearance gives the impress
sion of great manness and vigor He Is
tall, deep OF chest, with massive head the
Dfodu IoTenedu OF Wnlcn is undefscored, as
1t were, by the sharp line of bushy eyebrows
a heavy mustache and a strong jaw. Thus
he is described by a writer in the Corre-
spondant, of Paris, who continues: Ellis
clear blue eyes, set wide apart are bright
and attentive They attract instant atten-
tion. Their expression is more often mild
than otherwise. They are the most express
sive of his features, which, like his build. are
of the heavy type" sixty-three years old
his hair and mustache are gray, almost
white
Fought the Germans in 1870
Today General Joffre has behind him AZ
years OF service and 13 campaigns. He has
fought the Germans before now A sublieu-
tenant and student in the EeoIe Polyteoh-
nique when the Franco Prussian war broke
out, he took part In the defense Of Paris
Lieutenant in 1872, he was made a captain
four years later. and went 70 the east OF
France TO organize the military district OF
Pontarlier. Then he saw service In China
and In Tonkn- China with Admiral Courbet;
he organized the defense OF Formosa under
the enemy's ire, was present at the battle OF
Bening. and already impressed his superiors
as a great chief. Then In Africa he relieved
the expedition OF the unfortunate Bonnier,
and entered Timbuctoo victorious.
Major Ia 1889, lieutenant colonel IN 1894
colonel Ia 1897. brigadier in 1901. he then car
ried out the admirable fortihcations OF Diego
suaFez after which he lectured on fortiaea-
tions az the school q War. General of divi-
sion IN 1905. he became head o. the Engineers