The Washington herald., 1915-04-04

preston upon you. you would probably
say, Yes, its restfulness" General Jof-
fire. is a restful man. His wide brow
under close-cropped hair, is tranquil
His blue eyes are calm and clear. Be-
meath a heavy white mustache his lips
are firm. They show his teeth a little
when he talks.
Others describe him as a man Of most
affable manners in his home or in society.
exceedingly courteous, of an even and
happy temperament.
Yet In the field. or in his office at the
ministry of war, he is another man, a
man hard as nails" He accepts no ex-
cuses when his orders are not carried
out. There are as many stories about
his strict discipline in the French army
as there are about the discipline OF
Kitchener In the English army. Once an
officer in Madagascar, when asked how
soon he could bring up certain supplies
from the interior, replied, casually: Il
don't know. Perhaps in two weeks;
perhaps in a month" Joffre replied:
"They will be here in week or you Will
return to France"
The commanderinchief may sympathize
with the incompetent. but he cannot en-
dure failure. Last year he dismissed nVe
generals from the active list Immediately
following the maneuvers. Paris gasped.
Every garrison in France was exc1ted.
Nothing like 1t had ever happened before
Joffre said nothing The five generals
had failed In measuring up to the require
ments for physical fitness. It was essen
tial for Frances security that they be de-
prived Of their commands. They disaP
peared from the active list. The general
public of France, which had paid little at
tention to the new chief of its general STAN
heretofore. suddenly became aware that
its armies were being reorganlZed by an
exceptional man.
When the honor of chief of the general
staff was awarded him by the unanimous
vote Of the superior council of war ne
made no comment. He did not thank the
council and he showed no signs either OF
citation at reaching the highest post which
a soldier could desire. nor OF depression at
a consciousness of the gravity of his new
responsibilities. He was simply "Jonre
the Taciturn."
Yet on occasion he knows how to appeal
to the peculiar pride and verve which is
half the battle with Frenchman. Wit
ness his proclamation to Alsace on August
.: After forty-four years of sorrowful
waiting French soldiers once more trod
the soil of your noble country. They are
pioneers in a great work of revenge. For
them what emotion II calls forth and what
pride to complete the work which they
have made at the sacrifice Of their lives!
The French nation unanimously urges
them on. and in the folds of their flag are
inscribed the magic words Right and Lib
erty! Long Live Alsace! Long Live
France!"
In his present capacity It has become
incumbent on General Joffre frequently to
come into close relations with the Car Of
Russia and the King of England. 1t has
been noted Of him that on such occasions
he does not show any more than a formal
courtesy to the crowned heads who have
not earned by right of inherent merit their
positions at the head of great armies.
Both the czar and the king are accus-
toned to receive the homage of generals,
but Joffre offers nothing beyond the court.
esy required by rigorous etiquette