Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-25

he accompanied President Poincare on
q special mission to Russia, and only
four days after their return to farls
many. It was primarily beeease
viviani was a member Of President
Poincare's cabinet when the war broke
out that he has been retained. notwith-
standing the mutations Of French poll
cabinet The French people felt that
to permit him to retire might DO con-
strued as evidence OF their disapproyai
Of Frances entry into tho war. Be-
side. there was the immense personal
popularity OF the man himself.
Signal Honor for Jofere.
Marshal Joffre is tho only man in
France since the close of the Franco
Prussian war in 1870 who has been au-
thorized to bear the illustrious title Of
marshal Of France, and this distinction
was conferred on him by unanimous
action of the French chamber. In CRATE
full recognition Of his splendid services
as military leader in what probably
was the most critical moment in French
history. His officers and soldiers, how
ever. scarcely know him By the dis
ttnguished title; to them he has been
our Joffre" or grandpa" since he led
them to victory on the Marine and
finally turned the tide OF the German
invasion
Yet these familiar nic<names never
OF weakness. Beloved as he was by
his soldiers. Joffre IL. in fact, q strict
disciplinarian.
HIS main concern. after making all Of
ms dispositions to secure victory. has
been the protection OF lives of his men,
This was illustrated in small but I'm
portant manner early In the war, when
ne ruthiessly disresarded tho traditional
French love for the famous red trousers
and had them discarded for the present
blue uniform. Common sense is rated
as his distinguishing characteristic. He
never permits himself to become excited
under the most severe strain.
Gave Minister Confidence.
In the darkest days Of the war in Au-
gust. 1914, the minister Of war paid a
hasty visit to Jonre's headquarters, then
located in a small house at Romiliy, be-
hind the Marne. The German progress
was still In full swing, yet the minister
came back to Paris buoyed up With hope
and sure Of ultimate victory. For he had
Ioond the great general calm. serene and
absolutely certain Of the ability Of his
army to check the German invaders at
1nat point. q promise abundantiy re-
deemed In his Subsequent victories
Jonre was comn1ander-fn-chief Of the
ASAASA Amy III Tue De8tuHlH9 OF the
war. and remained in the position until
December last, when he gave place to
Gen. Ntvelle to become marshal and
military adviser Of the government.
In responding again to the call Of 40
tive duty. his services are placed at the
disposal Of the American people, whom
he comes to advise in the best way Of
organizing, disciplining, equippfur and
perhaps transporting to Europe the sreat-
est army which the country has ever
called into being.
The marshal was born in 1859 at
Rivesaltes in the Pyrenees, OF parents
In the middle station Of life. At
seventeen he became a student In the
great French military school, the
P PeO Polytechniaus; The Franco
sub ub-i tss IN the ..tilisry, defend
devoted some time to engineering
works. and these carried him into
lndo China, TonQuin, Formosa and
Africa In the Timbuctoo he led q
charge which gained him a lieutenant
colonecy and the Legion Of Honor dis
tinction. His thorough mastery Of
military science brought him rapid
promotion, and in 1911 he was vice
president Of the superior war council,
chief Of the general staff and prac-
tically head of the army. In that
capacity he pushed the 1919 law for
three years military service, which Is
now conceded to have been the saliva
ton Of France.