New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-12

pany marched from their quarters and
took positions near the centre of the
grounds. The bright coloring Of The
dress uniforms, the waving plumes, the
decorative chin straps and the mechan-
ical perfection Of the evolutions brought
10 mind p Xicgfeld chorus, rather than
e military body. II was thought that
was present in many minds. and was
not disnelled by the youthful faces that
appeared below the high caps.
But no such idea seemed TO have en-
tered the head Of the wstchful marsha,
who noted everything and commented
on all he saw as he rode away, half an
hour later, with the officers Of the
Academy.
When the last company finally had
reached its position upon the green
there w8s an order from Colonel B.ddle,
wheeling about and a sudden bring
ing up Of the entire body Of men at
attention before the reviewers. Then,
while the cadets stood at attention,
Marshal Joffre and the members Of his
staff marched from their position and
passed before them, close enough for
the watchful eyes Of the French Wis
itors TO catch every detail Of the physi-
cal makeup OF the embryonic officers.
II was not until Marshal JOffre was
alone with Colonel Bidde that he ex-
pressed his unqualified approval OF all
that he had seen. He said that he
would Immediately write letter TO the
student officers. expressing his opin-
ION thet they we're ready for imme-
diatc service in France. The war-eager
students probably Will read the news
this afternoon, when il is posted in the
order Of the day.
Lack Only Experience
"AH that is lacking TO make these
men perfectly trained soldiers IS the
experience that they can obtain only
under actual war conditions said Mar
shal Jotfre Two months al the front
Will make them the best officers for
men IN the trenches or anywhere else
The news was eagerly received by
the cadets and such OF their officers as
had heard IL, and was Immediately fol-
lowed by a question as TO how long the
marshal expected the war TO last-a
question that has a decided bearing
upon the fortunes Of these and coming
graduates Of the West Point Academy.
No reply was forthcoming from Mar
shal Joffre. but one Of his military aids.
Lieutenant Colonel de Tessan. said that
ne had a decided opinion Of his own.
"The big Allied drive will come neXt
spring" he said 81 can tell YOU it viii,
be just as spectacular "a was the first
German rush through Belgium. More
ever, 10 Will not end until il has
reached the Rhine. Mark my words,
] feel certain that this Will be the
ease. Everything points to such re
suit
Marshal Jofire was no more commu-
NEGATIVE than is his custom on the re-
turn trip from the academy TO the city.
But it was evident thet he had been
greatly impressed by the spectacle at
the grounds. and there was ample evil
dence that his words of approval had
raised the spirits of the soldiers, who
nope soon TO find their way 10 the fir
ing line
Shows Evidence of Emotion
The French fighter showed more
evidence Of emotion in the brief period
he was IN the former home Of Wash
ington than al any time of his stay in
the United States. On his usual eX-
pressionless face. the sort a poker
player trles 10 turn upon his adversary,
were deep lines as he stood IN the
historic cottage and studied the
treasured relics OF the man who make
American Republic possible
Marshal Jofre turned his eyes from
one historic object to another in the
room where Washington, Lafayette
and Rochambeau had labored with the
problems of people struggling against
tyranny IN those trying days. 1874 years
ago, when France first came TO the
AID Of America. lie nervously fingered
his cap while he stood, as if seeking
Inspiration for the greater struggle in
which America has gone TO the aid OF
France.
When he finally strOde out and over
10 the platform upon which he was
decorated with the badge Of the Order
Of the Cincinnati--the only foreign
order to which a French army officer
may belong mis- face was sober, but
he said nothing Of his thoughts 10 the