The Washington herald., 1917-05-12
LAUDS
ARMY CADETS
Says West Point Men Are
Among the Finest Trained
He Ever Saw.
(By the international New. Service.

(By the International News Service.
West Point, n. Y. May lit is per
fectly beautiful They are among the
finest trained men that ever saw.
Please extend my thanks for their court
esy in drilling for me.
Il have always understood that ths
United States Military Academy was the
greatest officers training school in the
world. Now after what l have seen on
the plains OF West Point / realize the
absolute truth OF this reputation
Thus Marshal Joffre, soldier Of France.
delivered himself this afternoon after re-
viewing the cadets of the Military Acad-
emy here. Six hundred and forty Of them
made an imposing spectacle in their blue
gray dress uniform in the first full Tegi-
mental parade ever witnessed in public
here.
The hero OF the Marne voiced his ap-
probation to Col. John Biddle, Cumman-
dant of the Academy. shortly before he
was driven away to Col. Biddles home
for luncheOn-a very informal affair
The marshal was greeted with a salute
Of seventeen guns when he arrived here
from the Newburg ceremonies. Drawn
up at the station was the Academy de-
tachment OF negro cavalry with drawn
sabers. and the superbly mounted cav
alrymen escorted the visitors up the hill.
Form Near Barracks.
The cadet corps, the Academy Band
and a special detachment of field music
was formed in front of cadet barracks
on the road near the fort division. The
party proceeded to the level plain in front
OF the library. was taken for a brief view
of the post, and then went to the Officers
Club. Here all the officers attached To
the Academy were introduced to Marshal
Joffre with their wives.
At the review the marshal first viewed
the cadets from the stand and then went
upon the plain for a closeup inspection.
The French party left West Point late
this afternoon for the return to New
York City.
All who witnessed the review today
agreed that the cadets had outdone any
thing that had been presented before for
"a distinguished foreigner. The align
ment was perfect as the blue-gray mass
swept past the French army commander,
and Joffre turned to one Of his aids and
was heard to remark:
''Why. these cadets could go to France
tomorrow and assume commands"
Capt. Guy Henry. who incidentally is
a a
Samur was commandant of the cadets
for the review. He is able to speak
French fiuently. He and other officers
found time to speak with the distinguish
ed visitor and they assured him that
they would welcome a chance to see
active service at the side of the French.
Marshal Joffre assured them that he
fervently wished that their desire may
be gratifed.
The marshal blushed when a number of
the officers wives kissed his hand.
Historic Significance.
Deep historic significance was attached
to the ceremonies at Newburg, where the
town was in gala dress, and practically
the entire population turned out to greet
the guest from overseas. There was a
profusion Of French and American flags
from the railroad station to the old Has
brouck House on a hill a mile from the
station, where George Washington, with
the aid Of Lafayette, directed the final
defeat Of the British in the war Of Revo-
luton.
Gov. Whitman, the entire State legis-
lature, and other prominent State ON
cials rendered him a welcome.
Justice F. X. Pendleton, of the Supreme
Court, pinned on the breast of Marshal
Joffre the eagle of the Society of the
Cincinnati, founded in Newburg 1s4 years
ago by the officers of the Revolutionary
army. These included Gen. Lafayette
and the other French officers serving In
the war.