New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-30
Marshal Joffre's Statement

lOhSo iiA kahNc.
Marshal Joffre's Statement
The official translation follows:
"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 I
represent here.
THE heroism and resolution Of the
soldiers Of France indeed deserve all
the affection the United States has
shown them. After having, r.
supreme effort, defeated and thrown
back the barbarous enemy, the French
army has untiringly laborcd to in
crease and perfect it's efficiency. And
now, in the third year of the war, 1t
is attacking the enemy with greater
vigor and material force than ever
before.
"Side by side with IL 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 ems
counter has made them feel the in-
creasing menace Of its strength. The
contempt they pretended to feel for II
in the early days Of the war has gradu-
ally become a dread, more openly
avowed each day.
What Germany breads
Lied by it's illustrious President the
United States has entered into this war.
By the side of France, in the defence o.
the ideals OF mankind, the place Of
America is marked.
France, which has long recognized
the valor of the American soldier,
cherishes the confident hope that the
flag of the United States will soon be
unfurled on our fighting line. This Is
what Germany breads.
France and America will sec with
pride and JOY the day when their sons
are once more fighting shoulder TO
shoulder in the defence of liberty. The
victories which they will certainly win
will hasten the end Of the war and will
tighten the links of affection and es-
TEEN which have ever united France
and tha ITnitod StateaD
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 were asked
Of Marshal Joffre:
"As TO the advisability Of withdraw
ing Americans now on the field u
battle and forming All independent
American corps.
Oppose Withdrawing Americans
Marshal Joffre says: 4 do n5s
think it good method TO withdraw
Americans who are at the front; il
would be better they should be used
for any units which might be sent TO
France Marshal Jofre thinks d
would be OF the greatest Importance
that the American flag should be seen
in France; every one would then feel
that you were there. But this does
not apply TO certain specialists who
might be especially wanted here. They
would be useful in developing .he
training of American soldiers, but. in
his opinion, Americans already there
should stay there. lie thinks tina. now
that the battle is raging that every
energy must be added TO forces al
ready fighting on the French front;
and that is why Americans already
in France are needed to help the fight
ers there.
would he prefer to have our regu.
lars there"
Marshall Joffre considers the prob
lem far too difieult TO be solved with
out mature consideration.
Marshal Joffre was asked how long
a period o. training was necessary
to form a new army.
Marshal Jofre replied that no def
mite answer to such q question wss