The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-01-09

IKE clerical FoFce.
Parls.-"War in its grim reality has
upset all the Ideas which we had OF
its aspect" says Frantz-R eichel. who
In the Figaro gives "A pen picture OF
General Joffre and his staff ut work
at the headquarters OF the French
army. lie G. Q. c." abbreyiatlon for
grand quarter general is what the
headquarters of the generalissimo Is
called.
For each army the headquarters is
anywhere from seven to twelve kilu-
meters behind the firing line. while
for the entire field army the great
headquarters is from 50 to 100 kiio-
meters away. Great headquarters is
the mysterious confer from which
comes nothing but what Is duly au-
thorized. To go there, to see those
who. grouped about the chief. are as
sociated, however little, in the work
of the brain that thinks for all; to ap-
proach that corner of France where
are brought by telegraph or telephone
the results Of every hour, from where
movements Of that immense and many
jointed body, the army, is the dream
OF all, the privilege OF a few.
"But the great headquarters where
the generalissimo works-the man who
assumes the superb but crushing re
sp~onsibility OF the life OF Francis
far different from what one would
imagine it When one has viewed it.
with all Its installations, the impress
sion that n gets is of a gigantic
mandatory where In Offices filed
with work everybody tolls with order
and method at the accomplishment OF
tasks well understood.
The great headquarters OF the
French army was In a little town at a
goodly distance from the trenches,
shifting whenever the occasion requir-
ed IL.
The town it occupied presented no
uncommon sight-a commercial town,
with humdrum streets, which were i'm
times OF peace animated by its popu-
lation concerned in two industries, the
repairs of material Of the Eastern rail-
road and the manufacture OF WOODEN
goods.
About General Joffre gravitate 300
officers, assisted by an army of secre-
taries. These men collaborate at three
s~ervices-that Of the general staff prop
erly. the service OF the real and the
service OF the railroads.&c. placed un-
der the orders OF three officers who
are the immediate associates of the
generalissimo. The three services are
installed In three school buildings. Day
and night the stan is at work attend
ing to the thousand and one ~exigencies
of the front. where 100000 men are
deployed along a stretch of 500 kilo-
meters.
I'm these offices, from which are sent
out the orders commanding the thun-
der of the guns, the rattle OF small
arms. the pandemonium of regiments
hurled forward 10 clamoring assault.
there Is a silence absolute, impressive.
They are working without noise. with
out respite. The only sounds are the
Gathering OF typewriters and the ring
ing OF telephone bells. One has the
sensation OF passing through the Offices
of a great industry, where every one.
animated by duty and held by strong
discipline. works faithfully at his ap-
pointed task. Heads are not lifted as
one passes. Such order, such applica-
ton gives one a feeling not Of hope.
but of confidence that the fluctuations
Of the battlefield cannot shake. The
faces reflect confidence and faith.
"AIl this is the work of General Jof-
fire. Incompatible administrator. emf
nent strategist, admirable chief. who
by his own example and the influence
he yields has brought all his subordi-
mates into the path OF duty well done.
An indefatigable worker. his great
headquarters Is run like a piece of
we'll oiled machinery. The generals.
simo himself follows a strict routine.
He rises at s o'clock and has a light
breakfast Of coffee and rolls; then he
visits the three service chiefs. works
with them. hearing or reading reports,
sanctioning solutions adopted; after
that. before luncheon. he takes a walk
on foot, during which he works out I'm
his brain plans for the action Of the
allied armies. The walk over. the gen
eralissimo returns to his house, where
he has luncheon.
Every three or four days the gener-
alissimo goes on n tour OF inspection in
his automobile. He visits each OF his
In turn. confers with their
chiefs, chats with the soldiers. His
are two Of the most famous
racers in France. Boillot and Rigal.
General Joffre likes to take maps while
his automobile il flying along. He says
Ii induces a most restful sleep.
plain and good. just In rewards as
In punishment. he Is respected. esteem
ed. adored by all. Obeying nothing
but military necessities. be chooses hts
men. leaving to each one his initiative.
to eulogy. Indifferent to crit
icism. a general Of duty. he has con
the admiration OF the entire
world"