Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-03
THE CAPTURE OF TIMBUKTU

The fleeting remnant of the eXpeditionary
force Joined Joffre's small column. The
men were pa nic-stricken, and, had the mod
est Commandant listened to their advice ne
would have turned back to Segou' instead
he went ahead. and on February II he en-
tered Timbuktu after march oi neary
500 miles under conditions that would nave
made the stoutest heart quake with fear
and presentiment.
1t is too late now TO criticize Colohel
BONNER lie was a man OF eNuoerant ma
ture. of unquestioned courage ana nh-
doubted military ability, Probably he lacked
prudence: probably he permitted dash TO
supplant method probably he fell victim
TO unforeseen conditions.
Commandant Joffre possessed method and
he had courage; he had foresight as wen
as ardor, though the latter vas hidden
behind the mask of passivity. On ms march
TO Timbuktu his column was attacked by
the Touaregs but the tables were reversed
this time 1t was the Touaregs who found
themselves trapped for there was not a
single instant in the long days that pre-
ceded the French entry into Timbuktu,
during which Commandant Joffre was NOT
ready TO give battle on his own terms.
Calm and tmperturbable, he watched
over every detail, looked after everything
no matter how small its Importance. and
never permitted his vigilance to lapse
"One may surprise. but to he surprised
is simply criminal" he is quoted as having
once said The saying may serve as an
emblem of his career as n leader OF hghting
men.
He reached the place where Colonel Bon
nier fell in heroic combat, and stopped his
march to pay honors to tho dead ana 10
send back to France the body or the
Colonel.
The news of the fall OF Timbuktu Gre
,,ed a yeritable sensation in France.
Less than one month later Commandant
Joffre was made lieutenant colonel.
If the Government began TO take serious
notice of the young officer, the public at
large remained in Ignorance OF him. The
fall and capture or Tlmbuktu oNershanoWeu
the name of the captor
THE sUBJUGATIoN OF THE SoUDAN
Joffre arrived at Timbuktu No sooner
had he accomplished the feat of entering
the town than he received an order from
the then Governor of the Soudan recalling
him to Hayes to continue the laying OF the
railroad
Was it jealousy? Perhaps Was it lack
of judgment on the part of his superiors?
Most likely Whatever II was, II amply
illustrates the spirit which permeated the
high command of the French army at that
time,
1t may be argued that chance favored
Joffre as except for the unfortunate fate of
Colonel BONNER. his role would have been
in tracing the causes Of the brilliant re-
suit achieved by Commandant Joffre II
must be admitted that success was due not
to the goddess of fortune but TO Jorfres
refusal TO trust her in the smallest degree
Joffre refused TO obey the Governors
orders The refusal was not prompted by
any anger at his superior's lack of appreca-
tion: 1t was the result of his determination
to remain true to his duty.
For only one year Joffre was in supreme
command there but this year marked the
complete subjugation of Soudan and it's
development into a prosperous colony.
1t Is not enodgh 20 invade an enemys
country. Complete victory means the main
tenance Of conquered territory against all
future attacks. when advance becomes
useless or impossible, an army must he
able, no matter what the cost. 10 hold the
conquered territory and die rather than
retreat"
This memorable order of General Joffre
issued to the French army in 1914 shows
but the ripened belief based on experience
of the man who succeeded in making Tim
buktu an impregnable fortress.
Timbuktu fell; Timbuktu was nominally
In French hands Timbuktu must become a
French possession In reality and Joffre be-
gan the work Of bringing this about.
Tho battles over, he devoted himself 70
fortifytng the French positions In Tim
buktu proper. and at all stragetic points In
IA neighborhood. He copstrucfed fortin-