South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-09
BY JOSEPHUS DANIELS
Former Secretary Of the Navy-f9f9
Co 1921


Of Gen. Pershing % command the
American expeditionary force. were
both due in no small degree 20 the
urging and advice of enc man
Marshal Jonrc. the hero of the
Marine.
Americans hold in admiration the
military leaders Of the allied coun-
tries The name of Foch viii be
Nlurce Of inspiration for many
years 60 come. 10 Is synonymous
with victory.
But the name Of Jonrc will be
loved as well honored ln America
as long as there are men and women
left who saw him and listened 70
him when he came 20 Us in those
stirring days OF 1917.
I doubt II ever in history has there
been great military hero. a winner
OF mighty battles. a commander of
conquering armies. whose PERSONAL
~ was so charming. so winsome. so
provocative Of confidence and anec-
tion as that OF this French general.
Thought You Were Papa Johre"
The story r. told or a French pri-
vate soldier who had laid q friendly
hand upon the arm OF a French Off
Ger. only 20 be stingingly rebuked
for his undue familiarity.
Il beg your pardon sir" said the
private, saluting. Il thought you
were Papa Joffre."
The truth OF that story Will not bs
doubted by anyone who has seen
Papa JOffre". There IS only one
word that I can think of that is ade-
quately applicable 10 him. / do not
think have ever used It before with
reference to a man. The French
marshal IS eautiful-beautiful in
the expression OF his eyes. in his
complexion. in his simple and diEni-
ned bearing. and most OF all. in the
delightful spirit OF his contact and
conversation with his fellows.
Now and then during the war
when saw an officer rigid and stern.
over-impressed by his own superior
" 20 all ordinary mortals I wished
all men I'm authority might have
learned manners from the man who
saved the world at the battle OF the
Marine.
One Of the reasons why Joffre will
always hold a distinct place in my
memory. a peculiar place in my at
lection. IS because. Of all those who
came seeking American cooperation.
ne. more than any man. displayed
his faith in the American soldier. his
desire 20 have American manhood at
the front .
JOffrc Asks for Men.
Men OF the allied missions were
thoroughly convinced that we could
be Of immediate use In a very vaiu-
able way by providing money. food.
munitions. IL was on these things
most of them were inclined TO lay
the early emphasis.
But Joffre from the first day asked
for men.
Money. food. munitionsl Yes,
splendid. and thank you. but how
soon can we have mem q,
II Is possible we would have been
several weeks or months longer i'm
getting to France with our fighting
forces II il had not been for the
quiet insistence Of Joffre.
others talked OF the long training
that would be necessary to prepare
men for fighting in Europe; of the
necessity Of retaining our regulars
NJ home in order 10 train a great
army that might begin TO reach
France six or eight months later.
Joffre said. Il hope you can send
troops this summer. Our sore need
is fresh soldiers-sturdy. vigorous
Americans"
Joffre had seen those sturdy" Wig
A
the throngs which cheered him
wherever ne had gone. Tie believed
in their capacity to learn quickly
the art OF war He believed i'm their
spirit
Would Revive Tired Armies.
And JOffre. with the memory Of
his own war-worn soldiers and his
tired. sometimes discouraged fellow
countrymen. knew what a tonic
there would be for WEAKNESS and
depression i'm the presence of even
a few thousand American boys
enough TO march through the streets
with high, set chins. and firm. rcsil-
lent step; enough 20 carry the flag
the flag or the stars and stripes
and 10 be visible proof and promise
OF American participation.
While other men were thinkinc
In material terms. JoHre was think
Ing in spiritual terms lie knew the
morale OF France. of Great Britain
or Italy. would be stimulated tn,
minute the news was flashed tina
American soldiers were on Euro
pean soil He knew the morale o
the enemy would be shaken IN
minute Berlin learned that its CON
fdeut predictions concerning the inn
possibility OF American soldiers
reaching France had been dis
proved
This was the burden OF his pie,
TO Secretary Baker. with whom n
talked freely because the seCretry O
war was one Of the few men ir
washington official life who under.
stood French. 10 was the thinG
with the president.
JofIrc Impressed ny Wilson.
Jonre later expressed 20 me hi
surprise 20 ind that President Wi
son had such a perfect mastery o
.he military situation lie had eN
pcctcd 20 meet a scholar. "a states
man. and an idealist, he had no
expected 90 meet q practical strate
CIst. fully ConvCrsant with an th'
military movements. and usins ac
curately and freely the lingo Of del'
and camp.
"In answer 90 my question as Q
whether 10 would be feasible 90 send
In advance Of his ARM the genera
who was 90 command American
troops in France. the president said
W once That N COULD be ARRANGED