Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-16
jOFFRE SEES j. S.
BOYS IN PRACTICE
He and Pershing, Motoring to
Training Grounds, Wildly
Cheered by French.
U. S. POWER IMPREsEs
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
! AMERICAN TRAINING CAMP IN
FRANCE. Monday, October 15.-When
Marshal Joffre came to visit and review
, the contingent of American troops
training for the trenches today he
brought some Of the sunshine Of France
with him. Dripping clouds which had
overhung the American Army zone for
the past fortnight. whose constant del
uges had turned rivulets into torrents
and flooded the lower valleys. broke
away in the forenoon and revealed a
, deep blue sky.
Jofrre luck did not hold throughout.
however. for in the afternoon violent
hail and rain storm broke over the
! training grounds where the marshal
was witnessing bayonet and bombing
drills by picked American companies.
Joffre Too Close to Bombing.
The party at one time approached a
little too close for safety to the bomb
| ing. Gen. Pershing. who accompanied
Marshal Joffre throughout the day,
suggested that they move back thirty
has but one marshal. and we cannot
let him be in the slightest danger"
"Oh. but she could get another mar
shall" smiled the hero of the Marine,
with a shrug of his shoulders.
The visit Of the marshal had been
looked forward to for long while, and
proved to be even more eventful than
had been expected. He motored with
Gen. Pershing through more than a
American troops are billeted. and re-
ceived remarkable demonstrations of
esteem from the soldiers and of affec-
ton from the French people.
Enthusiasm Shows Morale.
Late in the day, just as darkness was
setting. the party motored into a pic
division had been drawn up to receive
the marshal and where a regiment of
American infantry also Is Quartered.
The entire population Of the town had
gathered along the route taken by the
automobiles and the enthusiasm of the
people illustrated strikingly the morale
of the French nation. They cheered
Marshal Joffre and Gen. Pershing when
they came into view, cheered the crack
French soldiers when they swung by in
when the marshal walked before them
and when French band burst into
the "Marseillaise" women and little
children Joined in singing the national
by Gen. Pershing, who said:
Marshal Joffre is familiar with
America and with American institu-
tions and is deeply interested in Ameri-
have him as our guest today"
The marshal made his speech in
French, saying he was sorry he could
not deliver 1t in English, but that as 8
matter of fact he was not accustomed
to much public speaking in any Ian
guage.
Joffre Praises Power Of o. ..
After considering the various acts
Of Germany. the marshal went on,
America drew the sword. and no one
in France doubted she would do great
things. He referred to the great power
Of America in men. resourcefulness and
material wealth. and continued:
In every way you have realized our
hopes. The best proof Of your .earnest-
ness. your determination to help win
this war against autocracy may be
read in your eyes as I look into them.
Under the direction of Gen. Pershing
you are getting ready to face the en-
envy. Guided by that eminent chief.
with the zeal with which your great
new armies are being perfected. you
will move forward to gather the laurels
and glory that lie before you.
"All the news have from America IL
to the effect that there. as well as here.
you are working In the same intense
manner. Guided by such men as Gen.
Pershing your Secretary Of War, Mr..
Baker. and your chief of stan. Gen.
Bliss. you are rapidly going ahead and
I am confident our enemy will see be-
fore him one Of the most formidab BILE
war machines which could ever be inn
agined.
Eloquent Reply to Foolish Pride.
"our enemy believed in his foolish
pride that he could dominate the uni
verse. Your reply to hi mhas already
been most eloauent-rore eloquent
than he ever dreamed. You have come
here to Join the allies in delivering hu-
manity from the would-be yoke of Ger
man intolerance. Let US continue q
be united and victory surely will be
ours"
Three real American cheers were
given for the marshal, who acknowl-
edged them graclously. He was dressed
In the familiar blue coat and red
breaches. such as he wore in America.
AS they passed in review the Ameri-
can soldiers looked very grim and fit
They wore full fighting equipment, in
Guiding trench caps. and had gas masks
dangling at their belts.
Airplane Overhead Keeps Vigil.
The Joffre party took luncheon some
thirty miles from the reyiewinp ground