The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-12-24
|yoFFRE is NOW AN IMMORTAL,

JOFFRE is NOW AN IMMORTAL
PARIS.-Marshal Joffre is now
formally numbered among Frances
forty immortals. The victor of the
Marine was made a member of the
French academy Thursday afternoon.
Promptly upon the stroke of l
Marshal Joffre arrived at the insti-
tute, crossing the Seine over the Point
des Arts, accompanied by his spon-
sor, Gabriel Hanotaux and his aide
de-camp, Commandant Jouart.
With the knowledge that Presi-
dent Wilson was to attend the func-
ton, great crowds had gathered all
lalong the route followed by the
acknowledgements whose cheers were
divided between the great soldier,
the American president and Presi-
dent Poincare OF France. The French
president attended merely as q pri-
vate citizen and fellow academician,
Marshal Joffre wore the undress
uniform of marshal of France, hav-
ing demurred at wearing the elabor-
ate costume Of an academician.
1T Is as marshal Of France that
l enter the academy" said the
noted soldier. And it is dressed as
such that ! shall present myself
there
Marshall Makes Reply
The marShalS Weil-set frame
bulked beside that of most of his
brother members of the academy.
He delivered his inaugural speech IN
a deep, resonant voice, which COM
pletely filled the chamber where the
ceremony took place.
After reviewing the part played
in the war by France, Belgium and
the other allies, Marshal Joffre said:
1T was in the conviction that they
were fighting for right that the allied
nations found the strength to sacri-
flee and the certainty of ultimate
victory. The power of these nobel
sentiments have been evoked, in
terms which are ever present in our
memory by the great President Will
son, while they inspired him to most
generous action"
Abiding to his visit to the United
States in 1917, Marshal Joffre said:
while in the midst of the Ameri-
can crowds l was living hours which
l number among the sweetest of my
life. had OWNED the need for sac
rifices on their part awakened in the
soul of this generous people by the
heroism of our soldiers and the JUS
| tice of our cause. In order that
France might live in prosperity, that
Belgium might re-establ ish herself,
that liberty might reign and that
right might be reinstated, America
rose and resolved to throw into the
fight her last man and her last dollar.
lar.
Sacrifice Not in Vain
History does not record a more
marvellous achievement than that of
millions Of men volu ntarily breaking
away from their peaceful pursuits
to cross the seas, where lurked
death; to come thousands of miles
from their country and give up their
lives for a noble cause. a great ideal.
And, as II the sacrifice were not COM
pleted by sending the husbands and
sons, we have. seen the wives, the
fathers and mothers escorting across
the seas that phalanx Of warriors to
alleviate our sufferings and dress our
wounds. We have seen them un-
sparingly giving their gold and the
treasures Of their hearts, kneeling
on the graves Of our sons and adopt
ing our orphans.
"In brotherly embrace, France
and America have given each other
their faith, pledge for the present
and the future"
President Wilson and Mrs. Wilson
arrived shortly before l O'Clock and
were followed a few minutes later
by President and Madame Poincare.
Madame Poincare and Mrs. Wilson
sat together in a box in balcony
high above the statue Of Sully.
Mrs. Wilson wore simple, dark
blue tailored dress, trimmed in otter
fur. President Wilson was cheered
as he took his seat in the visitors
box.