The New York herald., 1921-03-13

phane Lauzanne. D. Appleton Co.
TOR three years of the world war, the
r. first three years, Jean de Pierrefeu
acted as editor of the Oficiel COM
muniqae. stationed at Chantilly and Com
piegne, which We're successfully used dur
ing that period as the general headquarters
OF the French army. A calm observer and
frank and cold blooded critic, he enjoyed
exceptional opportunity to see and learn the
character of the military leaders whose fame
was made or lost in the great struggle With
an Olympian candor the editor relates what
he saw and learned, and in his character
studies are to be found many surprises. 1t
may be questioned if his judgments will be
taken by posterity at what he evidently
thinks is their high value, but without
prophesying for future generations this
editors comments certain to be read
with mingled feelings by students of con-
temporary history.
In foreword Perrefeu disclaims any wish
to commit an indiscretion in publishing his
notes and denies that he has violated any
military secret He adds, however, that he
might have abstained from initiating the
public into the uie tntime of the French
generals. but that the generals themselves
Cor some of them), for personal reasons,
conducted their readers behind the scenes
of the war. This encouraged him to initiate
their example in a purely literary way"
I'm writing these pages says our author
L have not obeyed a low sentiment of
getting even or of frustrated ambition.
have sought to assemble after the manner
of Taine, collection of little, exact facts,
and to draw from them impartally. refec-
tions of general order. Like all
works of observation this one only seeks to
follow the truth"
The transformation of Chantilly palace of
the grand Conde and one of the magnificent
monuments of France, into a war bureau
was Systematically and thoroughly made
Later the installation in the palace of Com
piegne, replete with memories of Napoleon
appeared to the French a good augury.
Our author describes their application to
bureaucracy in detailed way that is not
without interest, but his best service to a
curious reader has been rendered by means
of minute character sketches of the generals
with whom he came in daily intimate con-
tact. From them all he received high con-
sideration, and this was general it is not
conceivable, especially as the author dis
claims a parti pris, that his praise or blame
in any case drew from personality Never
theless, as a human being, he had his ia
vorites, and a great one appears to have
been General Pelle, who held at the Begin
ming OF the war the rank of major-g general
or the French armies This man." writes
the modern Saint Simon, was always smil-
ing, obiiging, extremely affable. Nothing
of the soldier could be drawn from his per-
son and In spite of his khaki he evoked the
image of diplomat of the ancient regime +"
Gen. <Pelle's intelligence was the most
supple, the finest and most eclectic ever
seen. Nothing in the world was Indifferent
to him. and he saw and judged everything
big and little, with just and penetrating
views. He had a prodigious memory and
although receiving thirty persons a day
each with a budget different, except that
each was crammed with facts he never
had to go back and begin again, but remem-
bered all that had been passed on or even
merely discussed at preceding interview
And he had the art of appearing interested
in things that could not possibly have had
any bearing on his course"
Joffre, at least in the quality of polite
ness, was In the authors experience. quite
the opposite. His cabinet was a secret
temple where no one entered without fear
and trembling. Few, indeed, were adj
mitted. Every morning the chefs de SER
vice assembled there for a daily report at
which Joffre presided in silent majesty"
"But the simplicity and naturalness of
the General in Chief surpassed anything
that can be imagined. One day the Duke
of Connaught came to Chantilly to put dec
orations on certain "officers. Commandant
Galbert asked If Gen. Joffre had invited the
Duke to stay to dejeuner.
"'Do you think that would please him p
asked Joffre; and added, but is there good
enough dejcaner?'
HE called in the cook and, after being as
sured by that functionary that everything
necessary had been provided, Joffre con-
sented to the invitation. AS the party
passed in to the table Joffre turned to the
Duke and said, with the greatest cordiality:
'Honset0ncu, sit down wherever you
please
"Joffre willingly posed for photographers
OF whom he was the prey. When any of
his encourage found this picture taking tire
some he remarked that 1t was necessary for
his popularity and to be popular did not
displease him.
Despite this trait, Joffre did not like
noisy acclaim. BY prudence, think-for he
knew how prone was the civil power the
pariamentarians to take alarm at too great
military popularity-he refused to sanction
the appearance of an article written by one
of his staff entitled The Guard of the Cen
eralissimo. The writer had decorated the
regiment which came every month to Chan
tilly to preserve order with this title but
Joffre found the word guard too pretorian
Andre Tardieu has called Joffre a born
Deputy and he had a great respect for the
representatives of the people as we'll as for
the views of the people themselves. on
Holy Friday, in 1915, he perceived all at
once that meager' ruled at table Joffre
was violently angry and commanded that
meat be added TO the meal. saying: L am
a republican General This did not, how
ever, prevent him from treating some OF
hte vxvttN f1r Ara,1 tnln