Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-05-09
TROOPS RUSHED
ON ADVICE OF
FRENCH LEADER
Hero of Marine Looked to Z. S.
to Garry Allies to
Victory.
JOFFRE'S FAITH UPHELD
BY JosEPHUs DANIELS
Frmer Secretary of Navy-1e1s-21.
ARTICLE "a.

troops to France, and the selection
of Gen. Pershing to command the
American expeditionary force, were
both due in no small degree to the
urging and advice of one man-Mar-
shaI Joffre, the hero of the Marne.
Americans hold in admiration the
military leaders of the allied coun-
tries. The name of Foch will be a
source of inspiration for many years
to come. 1t is synonymous with vic
tory.
But the name of Joffre will be
loved as well as honored in America
as long as there are men and women
left who saw him and listened to him
when he came TO US in those stirring
days of 1917.
doubt if ever in history has there
been a great military hero, a winner OF
mighty battles, commander Of conquer
ing armies, whose personality was so
charming, so winsome, so provocative OF
confidence and affection as that Of this
French general.
THOUGHT YOU
WE'RE PAPA JOFFRE."
The story is told Of a French private
soldier who had laid a friendly hand up
on the arm Of a French officer. only to
be stingingly rebuked for his undue
familiarity.
7 beg your pardon. sir" said the pri-
vate. saluting. Il thought you were
Papa Joffre."
The truth Of that story viii not be
doubted by anyone who has seen Papa
Joffre" There is only one word which 1
Ian think Of that is adequately ap-
cable to him. Z do not think l have
8s n used it before with reference to
nan The French marshal is beautiful
beautiful in the expression Of his eyes,
IN his complexion, in his simple and
dignified bearing and most OF all, in
the delightful spirit OF his contact and
conversation with his fellows.
Now and then during the war when l
saw an officer rigid and stern, over
Impressed by his own superiority to all
ordinary mortals, 1 wished all men in
authority might have learned manners
from the man who saved the world at the
battle Of the Marne
One of the reasons why Joffre viii
always hold a distinct place in my mem
ory, a peculiar place in my affection, is
because, Of all those who came seeking
American cooperation. he, more than
any man, displayed his faith in the
American soldier, his desire to have
American manhood at the front.
JoFFRE ASKS
FOR MEN.
Men Of the allied missions we're thor
pughly convinced that we could be Of I'M
mediate use IN a very valuable way By
providing money, food, munitions. 1t
If vrer
nciinedt lay the early emphasis.
But Joffre from the first day asked for
Money. food, munitionsl Yes, splendid,
and thank you, but how soon can We
have men?
1t is possible we would have been sew
eraI weeks or months longer in getting TO
France with our fighting forces II it had
uot been for the quiet insistence Of
Joffre.
Others talked of the long training that
would be necessary to prepare men for
lighting in Europe; Of the necessity OF
retaining our regulars at home in order
10 train a great army that might begin
to reach France six or eight months
later.
Joffre said: 81 hope you can send
troops this summer. Our sore need is
fresh soldiers-sturdy, vigorous Ameri-
rams"
Joffre had seen those sturdy, vigorous
Americans" On our streets, in the
throngs which had eheered him
wherever he had gone. He believed in
them. He believed in their capacity to
learn quickly the art Of war. He believed
In their spirit.
WOULD REVIVE
TIRED ARMIES.
And Joffre, with the memory of his
own war-worn soldiers and his tired,
sometimes discouraged. fellow country
men, knew what a tonic there would be
Tor WEAKNESS and depression in the
presence of even few thousand Amer
lean boys-enough to march through
the streets with high, set chins, and
firm, resilient step; enough to carry the
flag Of the Stars and Stripes, and to be
the visible proof and promise Of Amer
ican participation
While other men were thinking in ma
terial terms, Jeffre was thinking in spir-
ituaI terms. He knew the imprale Of
France. Of Great Britain, of Italy would
be stimulated the minute the news was
n flashed that American soldiers we're on
Alropean soil. He knew the morale OF
the enemy would be shaken the minute
Berlin learned that it's confident predic
tions concerning the impossibility of
American soldiers reaching France had
been disproved.
This was the burden of his plea to
Secretary Baker, with whom he talked
freely bcause the Secretary Of War was
one of the few men in Washington Of
deial life who understood French. 1t was
the thing which he stressed when he
talked to the President.
4 IMPRESSED
BY WILSON.
81 Joffre later expressed to me his sur
n prise to find that President Wilson had
q such a perfect mastery Of the military
q situation. He had expected to meet a
81 scholar, statesman, and an idealist he
4 had not expected to meet a practicai
NJ strategist, fully conversant with all the
military movements. and using accurately
and freely the lingo of field and camp.
"In answer to my question as to
whether II would be feasible tno send,
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