The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-04-24

through parliament.
Other members of the party are
Marshal Joseph Jacques Cesaire Jof-
fre, commander in chief of the
French armies until last December,
now military adviser of the govern
ment; Vice Admiral P. L. A. Coche-
prat, dean of French admirals and
an expert on submarine problems;
Marquis Pierre de Chambroun, MEM
Der of the chamber Of deputies and a
student of international affairs; NJ. Si-
mon, inspector of finances; M Hove
lacque, inspector general of public in
struction, and Surgeon Major Drey-
fus,
Viviani was born in Sidi Bel Abbes
in Algeria, November s, 1862, and
was admitted to practice law in Paris
in 1887. His socialistic tendencies
early manifested themselves ana he
became counsel Of the railway work
men and employees. Elected to- the
chamber of deputies in 1893, and
again in 1S9S,, he retired temporarily
from politics to become a French citi-
zen. He was reelected to the cham
ber in 1906, however, and has MAIN
tanned his mem bership ever since. He
also has attained distinction as a
Journalist.
On June IA, 1914, Viviani succeed
ed CASTOR Doumerdue as president of
the council of ministers and minister
of foreign affairs. Mn that dual ca
pacity he accompanied President
Poincaire on a special mission to
Russia, and only four days after their
return to Paris war was declared on
France by Germany.
Marshal Joffre is the only man in
France since the close of/the Franco
Prussian war i'll 1870 who has been
auth orizedl to bear tre illustrious title
of marshal of France, and this distinc-
ton was conferred on him by unani-
nous action of the French chamber
in recognition of his splendid services
as military leader in what probably
was the most critical moment in
French history. To officers and sol-
diers, however, ne has bee Our Jof-
fire." or Grandpa" since he, led them
to victory on the Marine and turned
the tide of the German invasion.
Yet these familiar nicknames new
er conveyed to the French mind any
sense of weakness. Beloved as he
was by his soldiers. Joffre is a strict
disciplinarian. His main concern.
after making all his dispositions to
secure victory has been the protec-
ton of the lives OF his men. Calmness
is distinguishing characteristic. In
the darkest days of the war, in Aug
ust, 1914, the minister of war paid a
hasty visit to Joffre's headquarters in
Romilly, behind the Marne.
The German progress was still in
full swing, yet the minister found the
general serene and absolutely certain
Of the ability of his army to check the
German invaders at that point.
Joffre was comma nder -in-chief OF
the French army at the beginning OF
the war and remained in that position
until the last when he gave place to
Gen. Neville to become marshal and
military adviser to the government
The marshal was born in 1852.
Vice Admiral Chocheppat is dean Of
the French vice -admirals and has a
rank as high as can be obtained in
the French navy, as there is no adj
miral. Several of the devices that
have proved to be of notable service
in entrapping German submarines are
believed to have been originated by
him. Admiral Chocheprat was born
in 1855 and entered naval service in
1871 He is q grand officer of the
Legion of Honor.
Americans hold in high esteem
Marquis Pierre de Chambron, because
he is grandson of Lafayette. He was
born in June, 1865. studied law and
in 1898 was elected deputy for the
department Of Lozere which he has
represented ever since. He is an au-
thority on foreign affairs
Marquis de Chambron's father was
legal adviser for many years of the
French legation in Washington. Mar
quis Pierre de Chambron spent his
youth here and married Miss Rives
Nichols, stepdaughter of Rellamy
Storer, ambassador to Vienna in
Roosevelt's administration
NJ Simon, inspector OF finances, has
a high reputation as an authority on
finance. M
M. Hovelacque, inspector of public
instruction, is we'll known in educa-
tional circles in America.