New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-12
Idol of Armies Makes
Way for Younger
Generals
BRANDS SAGACITY
SAVES HIS PLACE
France, Tired of Mistakes,
Sacrifices Her Hero
for Victory
By Cabs 70 Ths rl9unsl

Paris, Dec. 11.-Joffre, the IDOL OF
France and its armies, must make
way for new blood. This is the great
and almost tragic result Of the re-
cent ferment.'
France is house cleaning because
the French want to get on with the
war. The people no longer care for
personalities; winning the war is the
only thing that counts. The lessons
of Rumania and Greece have made
q big impression OF the public-so
big that the French people demand a
change in the high command.
The changes in the Ministry are
of minor Importance, merely the
eddies of a great wave of public
opinion sweeping over the military
command. The radical socialists
are using it to get stronger repre-
sentation in the government, but the
soldier is the only man who counts
now.
BRAND Saves Himself
Brands ability to sense public
opinion and his cleverness in saying
the right thing at the right time
have saved him in a critical situa-
ton. To outsiders, however, as to
the French general public. the
changes in the high command occupy
the chief position Of interest.
Joffre is to be "kicked upstairs
He will possibly command the Allied
War Council, where his experience
will be Of the greatest value to the
Entente, although he will be shorn
of actual power.
Ranks with Joan OF Arc
France considers that he has done
more for his country than even Joan
of Arc, but that he has given OF his
best, and that he must make way for
new men, for fresh ideas and for
greater energy. Nothing proves the de-
termination of the French more than
their decision thus to shelye their idol
of the war.
Who is to succeed Joffre is something
that probably will be decided this week.
The choice seems to lie between Nivelle
and Petsin, with the odds favoring the
former, who was the hero of Dousu-
mont and Vaux in the great Verdun
battle. A graduate of Polytechnic. Nj
velle was an unimportant general be-
fore he was called, last April. by Petain.
then in command at Verdun.
Nivelle Extremely Popular
1t was Nivelle who conducted the whole
operations that resulted in the recap
ture of Douaumont and Vaux and the
sweeping in of six thousand prisoners,
thus offsetting the work Of months by
the Germans. Naturally, Nivelle is ex-
tremely popular with the army and peo-
pie, though he is personally known to
few.
General Petain is a slightly older
man, Of strong character and great en-
ergy and ingenuity. There are other
candidates. but these two are the IA
vorites. One report is that Niyelle is
considering the offer
Great Campaign Expected
Within this month great changes will
be seen in the military situation in
Greece, with France playing a strong
hand. The situation, il is believed here,
will be something like this:
The victorious German army OF
Mackensen will come down toward
Monastir, bound to retake Monastir and
open the way for the entrance of
Greece into the war on the side Of the
Central Powers. Ssrrsil's forces will
not only have to face this army, but
must also guard themselves from the
Greeks on the rear.
Nothing would surprise the Allies
now, not even a declaration Of war
against them by King Constantine.
The latest demands of the Entente are
expected to be used by that monarch
as pretext for spsrring for sufficient
time to organize his forces. Every one
expects that his severance with the
Allies will be only a matter Of days or
weeks.
France Tired of Mistakes
France has a vision. She has no
stomach for further mistakes in the
war, such as that of Rumania. The
French admit that the Rumsnian blow
is hard one, but one due solely TO the
Rumanians' disregard for the warning
of the Allied general against the dan
! ger of the Transylvsnian campaign be-
/ fore Bulgaria was disposed OF.
Even Russia's early offer OF assist
ance was scorned. But now the milk
is split there are no tears shed BY
France. There is only desire TO pre-.
vent the recurrence of such cstss
trophe.
Frances reorganization is not some.
thing due TO sudden inspiration, but I,
the realization that the war is not be
ing van sy hs EaiAa.s And " tAs 10
=.