New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-10
Crowds Laugh and Sob
as Marne Hero Rides
Through Streets
Bears Soul of
France to N. Y.
Marshal and Members of
Mission Hailed in Chill
dren's Songs

History calls him Joseph Jacques
Cessire Joffrc. Marshal OF France, but
New York knows also that his eyes are
as clear a blue as the first stripe Of
the Tricolor, that they shine in the
face Of one who might be a grand
father with many beloved grandchil-
drcn.
He struck the greatest military power
the world has ever seen at the Marne,
and stopped it and threw it back and
saved France. New York can tell you
that his smile is gentle. almost shy,
and that he loves little children.
For Joseph Jacques Cesaire Joffre
brought the soul Of France to the
greatest city of the Western World yes
terday. He came, with his three fellow
commissioners, not as the vigorous,
ruddy-faced soldier in the blue and
scarlet of a marshal, but as vital
part OF the brave. bright, spirit Of
France herself.
All Welcomes Surpassed
And New York, the cold, cynical city,
welcomed him and his mission as no
other man has ever been greeted on
Manhattan Island-with shouts, with
the ripping flame of many flags, with
tears. All poise, all suspicion, all of
the indifference in which the mighty
city wraps herself was torn away.
She stood revealed and splendid.
holding out her arms 10 the men Of
the wer-sick, weary sister nation. She
cheered for the bearded, wiry Vice
Admiral Choeheprat. for the Marquis
de Chambrun, for Rene Viviani, with
his thin. ascetic students face.
And she laughed and sobbed at once
when the simple, gentle visaged Mar
shall Of France rode through her
streets. He was France herself, q
fighter of gallant battles. strong. un-
assuming democrat Of democrats, still
cheerful. but little weary under the
sorrowful burden Of three years )f war.
New York looked into the rudy,
clear.eyed face of Jofre and loved him.
"Here | am" she said TO him yes
terday. "My arms are held out to YOU
70 aid to comfort. All that | have IS
yours
Marshal Hailed Before Arrival
That is the message that the streets
Of the city. filled with the roar OF voices
and the brilliant color OF banners, spoke
Yesterday to the man "who stopped
them at the Marine"
The city hailed the marshal and ms
fellow commissioners by the time me
gray police boat Patrol had slipped
awav from the JERSEY shore and had
headed toward where the proud towers
OF lower Broadway stood out against
the dusk Of a passing thunderstorm
At 4:l5 the commission arrived from
Philadelphia and hurried aboard the
craft. accompanied by the reception
committee. Jofrre climbed to the upper
deck and stood there. solid, calm hg-
ure in scarlet cap, long blue military
cape and patent leather shoes, looking
out over the dark flow Of the bay
toward the other shore. He said no
word. but his placid, blue eyes never
left the mighty rampant tina rose
ahead OF him.
The boat shaddered and headed out
into the river. The reception comra't-
tee and the other members Of the COM
mission waited a little TO the rear
watching the man who was looking upon
New York for the first time.
Leader Of blue Devils" Here
Near his chief stood the marshtFs
aid. Lieutenant Colonel Fabry, former
leader Of the Chausseurs Alpins, ".he
blue devils of France" He is a man
v,bom D'Artagnan might have loved
dark. viyacious, daring. He boasts that
he is part American. His wooden 'eg
was made in the United States.
Neither the solid figure IN the scarlet
can. nor the more slender, IN IT'S raKlsh
bIne tam O. shanter, said word as the
Patrol slid out from the pier and nead,
cd FOR the Battery. And then, all at
once. the city sent out her voice 10 nall
Far awav' toward the other shore,
whistle hooted. long and loud. others
took up the call until the Upper Bay
was ringing with great humming roar
Tugs screamed shrilly. and were an
swered by the hoarse blasts OF iners AT
the New York piers. \ fleece OF wh!'e
Auttered about the steam pipe OF every
craft on the bay. The city was giving
it's first welcome 10 the men OF france.
Jorre did not speak aloud, but me
laugh wrinkles about his eyes deepened
a little. and under his pure "hite
mustache his lips moved rapidly.
Greater Welcome Follows
The roaring greeting OF the Whistles
had not plIpared him for what was TO
folIow. About Pier A. where the police
bos. tied I'D. court of honor mad
been built, white and gilt posts and
standards. roped together with ever
green. and bearing medallions OF the
heads of Brittania and La France.
Within this court the automobiles OF
.b. rsception committee waited. A
.onad+on OF mounted police hemmed
tbese IN. and beyond them the men OF
couadron A were drawn up as guard
81 honor. Back Of the court OF honor
beld in check by hundreds Of police
men. twenty thousand persons stood 70
welcome the commissioners.
When the scarlet cap issued from