The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-02


1T Is truly regrettable that such de-
ctsfve maneuvers as the Marne affair
are no longer possible, and, bending
over General Joffre" says Huard, *
whispered in his ear, I suppose you
have got something up your sleeve
German Loss 1000, 900.
"Joffre laughed gayly. Surely, sure
ly,' he replied. tapping my shoulder,
but we are really still maneuvering.
Napoleon said he won battles with his
soldiers legs. We win them with our
locomotives. That's all the difference.
We mustn't abuse this war Of attrition
too much. To begin with, it has er-
abled us to Increase our war tools, to
adapt them, even create new ones. II
this kind Of fighting must go on we
mustn't imagine the word attriuon has
no meaning. 1t Is a mistake to SUBJ oose
that any army that is beaten con re-
treat indefinitely into new trenches; an
army that doesn't retain the ascend
ancy is very near panic. Now the
ascendancy belongs to US; there isn't
the slightest doubt Of that. Under the
fire Of our army the Germans have lost
more than ], ZOO, 900 men, yes more than
100000. who will never reappear on
any battlefield
Their famous guard is only O col.
lection Of uniforms; their old officers
lists are only historic memory. Their
officers were gallant; they've nearly all
fallen. The German troops are now
so much weakened morally that their
improvised officers are compelled, in
order to avoid stampede. to lead them
to battle In massive formation, eight
men abreast. It is leading them to q
necatomb. a prey for our artillery
"What about our menr I asked.
The general rose. In all armies, at all
times, oil places, there have been de-
6ciencies. 1t IS possible there are some
in our army, too. but cur heroes are
numbered by the thousands, yes, by
the thousands. What "a gEeat and adj
mirabhe country Is France! You can
cry that aloud. We are living I'm great
times. With an army like ours 1t would
be crime against France to despair.
"'From whatever part Of France
they come they are worthy Of the
chiefs now commanding them
Scissors Only an Episode.
"'What about soissonsr asked.
"'Soissons was fatality If you like.
or fault If you prefer. but in any case
only an episode
with an air Of 1mpatience Joffre
added: I command soldiers, but not
the barometer. General Chance is a
great captain. but not for q single II.
slant DO I doubt our final victory"
Huard, whose friendship with Jofrre
has lasted fifty years. says JOffre is
not IKE his photographs. He looks
just like a good natured fat man. His
temperam<nt is characterized BY In
finite sweetness. His penetrating blue
eyes are remarkably limpid He has
a healthy soul TN healthy body and
possesses a good appetite. There is
nothing cold In his character.
He has been called taciturn. but the
fact IS that white he maintains a
rigorous silence on military secrets he
really is naturally expansive. The
mother of simple soldier who called
him Papa Joffre" the other day
summed him up best. Towering am.
billions he has none. His one object
Is to retire to the complete seclusion
OF country life after the war.
When Paris was advised the De.
peche de Toulouse had appeared with
this interview the head censor tele-
graphed to the Toulouse authorities TO
seize the entire issue
The Depeche protested the interview
was published with the complete con-
sent Of General Joffre, but the censor
insisted on deleting several passages,
thereafter intimating the newspaper
could print the remainder. The De-
peche. however. refused to publish
merely a portion. The censor there
upon banned republication Of any Dor.
ton of the interview by other news.
papers.