The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-03
J0FFRE TAKEN BY Death
MIRACULOUS FIGHT;
PLAN NATIONAL FUNERAL
Heart Exhaustion Closes
Great Struggle of French
War Hero.
RITES ON WEDNESDAY
Body of 78-Year- 0Id Hero
of Marine Will Lie
in State.
BY RICHARlDD. M'MILLAN
United Press STAFF CORRESPONDENT

ID aNAOAlhHeAtSs m WILLIAM
United Press stan Correspondent
By United Press
PARIS, Jan. 3.-Marshal
Joseph Joffre, a great soldier
who never had lost a battle
during seventy-eight years of
his life, surrendered to death
today after a fight which his
doctors said would go down
in medical history as miracu-
lous.
The end came at 1923 a. M, an
official bulletin said.
Heart exhaustion, which followed
severe attack of arteriosclerosis
and gangrene, was announced by
physicians as the cause of death.
For eight days the illustrious
soldier had remained alive, amaz-
ing his country men and physicians
alike, through the remarkable
strength of his heart.
Body Greatly Emaciated
His body was greatly emaciated
toward the end.
He hardly was recognizable and
his loose frame contrasted strange
ly with the bulky figure that turned
the German armies back when
Paris was threatened.
Madame Joffre stood at the head
of the marShal's bed, but she could
not tell whether he was dead or
alive.
For six hours, his doctors could
detect life only through the use Of
stethoScope.
The hero of the Marine and the
savior of Paris appeared to be dead
long before life actually passed from
his body.
Brother Ferdinand, monk who
nursed Joffre, said that death cams
like the sand in an hour glass
none saw the actual passing of life.
The marshal received absolution
from Monsignor Bellesouer a few
minutes before he died.
In Coma for IS Hours
Premier Theodore Steeg an
nounced that France. desired to give
the marshal funeral expressing
the love of a nation for one of its
greatest heroes. Final plans will be
made after Joffre's last testament
is opened later today.
The aged soldier lowered between
life and death in a comatoEe state
for forty-five hours. He had been
conscious only at rare intervals of a
few minutes each since 8 p. Ms
Friday.
The final crisis began at 6 a. M.
when his pulse scarcely wac, per- /.
ceptihle.
Joffre's left leg had been amSS
putated above the knee just fifteen
days before his death.
He did not allow news of his
operation to be made public for
eight days, because he did not wish
to cause fuss" during the holidays.
He selected the Monks hospital.
because he believed that they could
be trusted to remain silent.
Madame Joffre FaNgued
The marsl1ars last words. so far
as could be ascertained, werel Il am
going. This fight is all lost"
He knew that he was dying, but
continued the struggle that had
thrilled all France and brought him
back to consciousness after he had
been given up for lost.
Madame Joffre remained weeping
in the room where her husband
died. Fatigued by a fifteen-day
vigil, she was given a sopcrific later
and went to sleep.
During the marshals illness she
was absent from the hospital only
on two occasions, for two or three
hours.
Madame Joffre placed a cruciflx
in the marsha's crossed hands as
his body lay on the hospital bed.
Body to Lie in State
He was dressed in uniform with a
white, gold-braided and gold-but-
toned jacket.
Government officials decided at
a meeting this noon to hold a ma
tional funeral for Joffre, CORE
spending in many respects to the
final honors rendered the late Mar
shall Foch.
The body will lie in state Mon
day and Tuesday in the st. Louis
chapel instead of the Are de Tri-
omphe as IN the case of Foch, at
the = request of the widow who
wished to spare soldiers and the
public the discomforts Of being ex-
posed bareheaded to possible rain.
Soldiers to Escort Body
The funeral will be held wednes-
day a. a. m.
Soldiers, come OF whom helped
Joffre hurl the German invadesz
back from the walls Of Paris. will
escort the body to the Arc De
Triompl1e.
The cortege will stop for one
minute in front Of the tomb Of
Frances Unknown Soldier after
which it will move down the avenue
Des Champs Elysee and along Rue
Rivoli past the town hall 10 Notre
Dame cathedral. where a requiem
mass will be celebrated.
Hourly Temuerafures