The Washington times., 1917-04-25

FRANCE ana nero OF the DlLter, COntln-
uous lighting following the defeat OF
the Germans on the Marne, has the
perfect physical attributes for a man
of his career.
His head is large and square, the
head Of fighting man. Tremendous
resolution is shown in the massive,
sQuarely set jaw with its jutting chin
and overhanging sweep of the mus
tache. Joffre's eyebrows-each OF them
would more than satisfy the mustache
requirements OF a young British or
American army officer - overhang
deep-set blue eyes, almost hiding
them at times. His mustache and
eyebrows are white: his hair Is gray.
When he reached Washington he
was wearing the simple service uni
| form Of the French army. Across his
great, barrel-like chest was q single
row of silver and golden medals.
The great soldiers face IL deeply
scanned and lined and his great shoul-
ders have an unmilitary stoop. His
head Is thrust well forward as II he
were looking, always looking, for
danger ahead.
His body is short and heavy-the
body OF q Napoleon in heroic mold.
II intensely Human.
Papa" Joffre (he Is papa" to the
millions OF Frenchmen lighting in
the trenches) has been chiefly known
to outsiders as q man Of sphynxlike
silence He Is usually described as a
second Napoleon" who does not be-
tray emotion.
This is far from true. Joffre Is In
tensely human, subject to violent ex-
plosions Of wrath and the possessor
OF a literal. practical turn OF mind In
which humor and fantasy have no
part
the home life of millions of other
bourgeoiese OF France. He read lit
tie, outside Of the army volumes,
avoided social affairs as another man
might avoid smallpox, and found his
pleasures in horseback riding, work
ing his garden or listening to the
piano. The music OF Italy and south
ern France always hnds favor with
him.
When the war broke out, Joffre, in
command of the French army, began
to prune and cut right and left
Thirty generals alone were retired
by him in the FIRST three months. His
direct frankness stood him in good
stead,
After the defeat of the French at
Charleroi Joffre's aides issued a Sc
rtes of diplomatic explanations OF the
disaster. The left flank OF the French
army, they explained, was overwhelm-
ed by superior numbers OF Germans.
Joffre heard OF these explanations, and
issued a statement which had the ef-
feet upon his subordinates of a sud-
denly exploded shell.
I'VE had ten chances to win Char
leroi," said Joffre, In effect. "We
lost because of the mistakes of
French officers"
Soon after that a number Of these
same officers found themselves upon
the retired list.
Gave Small Subtraction
One general went 20 Joffre with
q protest. Like our own General
Goethals, General Joffre sees anybody
and everybody who has business with
him.
"Why am retired?" he demanded.
81 obeyed orders"
"a lieutenant can obey ORDERS"
replied Joffre gruffly. "A general is
supposed to think"
Jofre Is a veteran OF the Franco
Prussian war. He is sixty-fve years
old. He was born near Perpignan
and at sixteen years OF age entered
the Ecole Polytechnique. one Of the
two great military academies.
The Ecole POlytechniQus is the
school where engineer officers are
educated, and ST. dyr Is for the Of
hcers OF the line. Between these
two there has beeen much rivalry and
wide difference of opinion as to the
conduct Of military operations.
When the wSr came a campaign of
"nibbling." as JoEre called II, was
inaugurated against the Germans
while the British volunteer army was
being trained for the field.
Joffre held his ground stubbornly
against continued attacks. Then he
would sally forth on a counter as
sault, strike quickly, and get back |
to cover before overwhelming num- |
bers should crush him.
When he desires to speak his mind, |
General Joffre lets no such minor |
thing as respect for the diplomatic 4
amenities hinder him.
dumped" British Conferees.
Soon after the occupation OF SaloniIci |
by the French, the general was called |
to a conference in London. The sem |
timent among the Englishmen, tact |
fully expressed. was that the Saloniki |
enterprise was failure, and should |
be abandoned at the earliest oppor- |
tunity-thus to end one of Joffre's |
ambitious plans.
The old general bounded into the |
council room ,one day, his eyes flash |
InE fire. Americans who have talk |
ed to him say that when he is stirred
his eyes seem to fairly shoot forth |
sparks OF flame.
He pounded the chairman's desk |
with a knobby fist.
England throws us down in the |
middle of this fight" he roared.
He said more. People on the other |
side OF Downing street who under
stood French were treated to a clear
Iy audible and highly uncomplimen-
tary picture OF themselves.
After the Englishmen had recov-
cred a portion of their accustomed |
calm they agreed with Joffre that the |
enterprise in Saloniki should go on.
II was about all they could do.
On another occas sIOn a French dIYia- L