Arizona republican., 1917-04-30

AS the last WOrQ was Tedu anu the |
correspondents realized the import
ance of the marshals remarks there
was a burst of applause, then cheers
cheers so loud that they reached the
ears of a crowd of men and women
waiting outside to catch glimpse of
the French hero as he started for
Mount Vernon. An American sentry
pacing up and down outside the room
lowered his gun and discreetly peered
in through the window just as the
gray haired soldier of France, en-
Enthusiastically showing his apprecia-
ton, was cheered again even louder
than before.
A translation of Marshal Joffre's
formal statement issued through the
state department was expurgated and
did not. contain vital passages relating
to the marshaPs previously known de-
sire for the presence of an American
force in France. The translation fol-
/ lows:
The very cordial welcome given me
| by the city of Washington and the eX-
pressions of sympathy which reached
me from states and cities throughout
| the United States have moved me
deeply since they are an homage paid
to the whole French army which | rep
resent here.
The heroism and resolution of the
soldiers of France indeed deserve all
the affection the United States has
/ shown them. After having in SUI
preme effort defeated and thrown back
barbarous enemy the French army
has untiringly Iabored to increase and
perfect its efficiency. AND now in the
| third year of the war it is attacking
the enemy with greater vigor and ma
terial force than ever before.
side by side with it and animated
| by no less heroic spirit stands the Brit
| ish army whose formation and develop
ment will ever remain the admiration
of the world. The Germans have real
lied its wonderful growth. Every en-
counter has made them feel the in
creasing menace of its strength. The
contempt they pretended to feel for it
in the early days of the war has grad
ually become a dread more openly
avowed each day.
Led by its illustrious president, the
| United States has entered into this
| war. BY the side of France in the de-
Tense of the ideals of mankind, the
place OF America is marked.
[ France, which has long recognized
( the valor of the American soldier, cher
| ishes the confident hope that the flag
of the United States will soon be un-
furled on our fighting line This is
what Germany breads.
! France and America Will see with
pride and joy the day when their sons
are once more fighting shoulder to
shoulder in the defense of liberty. The
| victories which they Will certainly win
will hasten the end of the war and will
tighten the links of affection and
esteem which have ever united France
and the United States
When the cheering died away, the
marshal, his countenance wreathed in
smiles, leaned little forward expect
antly, rubbing a heavy fist into the
palm of his other hand, as the ques-
tons began. The replies were most
frank. Only once it was explained that
the marshal did not think he should
discuss a~detal asked about for the
reason that the question still was under
consideration by Frances war mission
and representative of the American
government
Later in the day the correspondents
were Informed that it was the desire
of the French mission that their con-
versations with Marshal Joffre be not
published until submitted to the state
department and that the approved text
of the questions and answers would be
given out later
Late tonight the French mission
through the state department gave out
the following statement, covering the
questions asked Marshal Joffre and the
answers made by him:
The following questions We're asked
of Marshal Joffre:
is it advisable to withdraw Ameri-
cans now on the field of battle and
form an Independent American corps
Marshal Joffre said he did not think
it good method to withdraw Ameri-
cans who are at the 'front.' it would be
better they should be used for any
units which might be sent to France.
Marshal Joffre thinks it would be of
the greatest Importance that the Amer
lean flag should be seen in France; ev-
cry one would then feel that you We're
there. But this does not apply to Ger
tain specialists who might be especially
wanted here; they would be useful in
developing the training of American
soldiers; but in his opinion Americans
already there should stay there. He
thinks now that the battle is raging
every energy must be added to forces
already fighting on the French front;
and that is why Americans already in
France are needed to help the fighters
there.
Would the Marshal prefer to have
our regulars there?
, Marshal Joffre considers the prob
lem far too difficult to be solved with
out mature consideration.
The marshal was asked how long a
period of training was necessary 10
form the new army.
He replied that no definite answer
to such question was possible. First.
the war office alone really knows the
exact condition. Second, the example
Of England may throw some light on
the probable time it would take Staff
OFFICERS necessarily are only slowly
prepared. But subordinate officers can
be trained with considerable speed
when such fine material as the English
/. Is concerned. The American army
would probably develop even faster, as
1t would profit by the experience OF
the British and French armies If a
, large army completely equipped had to
be transported at one time the trans
, portatlon would be a tremendous prob
lem. He would therefore deem it bet
! ter to send unit by unit over at time
Marshal Joffre was asked would il
be possible TO tell of any experiences
he had with the American troops OF
people who are fighting at the front.
, He said it would be invidious to
single out any one particular instance
, OF Valor where valor was so general
, In general way he has had to con
graduate all Americans in France and
ntably the whole corps of aviators who
had been most successful. Instance
that might interest Americans is this:
president Wilson's message caused
! thrill that passed through all who
read it. The German government die
g, | not give its people the full and correct