Jan. 5.
At this time, when the aged Marshal who led France into her' greatest ordeal in history iz lying in state, to receive the last homage of his country, thoughts uppermost.in the mind recall the tense grimnesa of the hour which put him to the test and, as France and England gratefully re-ember to-day, found him not anting. The critics who now sit back and condemn France reliance on the Operation Plan XVIT of which Joffre was the ardent champion, must admit the tenacity and spirit of leader ship which were dispel: him when the German tide swept the French armies and their "contemptible" allies to within the very hail of Paris itself, Nor! can greatness be denied to one who, faced with the wreckage of the scheme on which he had staked his reputation, was able to build anew and, given the opportunity, to order the offense ive of September 6, which brought the Victory of ths Marne and the salvation of France. It is now recorded that, visiting the late Sir John French on September 5, to ensure British cooperation in the battle, General Joffre, as he then was, terminate a most eloquent appeal with the simple words: "Monsieur te Marechal, chest la France qui vous supplie." Sit John's ability to reply in French was limited. He hesitated; then turned to an officer-interpreter and said: "Damn it, I can't explain, Teli him that' all that men can do fellows will do." The rest is written in history. To a poignantly-patriotic appeal 2 worthy response was made. The incident is as revealing of Marshal Joffre's character as the amazing struggle waged during the last week with the final enemy of all to the wondering of two mourning peoples either side of the Channel.
Statesmen have their triumphs, defeats, responsibilities, but it is difficult to assess the gravity of the burden which lies on the,|shoulders of the Soldier who leads in the' ultimate arbitrament between nations, as at present devised. In his hand rest the destiny of his country the lives of thousands of his fellow-men. He has to show ins of faltering when the evitable results of error, of misjudgment or of superior enemy's prescience make themselves felt. He has to preserve equanimity in victory as in defedt. Who can fully appreciate the weight which General Joffre carried when, the German challenge of 1914 had to be mee?
ven the most sluggish imagii tion will derive from contemplat tion of such a responsibility the desire to work for some othe! and better way of settling the differences of civilized peoples.
It is neither fair that a man should bear the horror of human holocaust which he did not seek, nor inspiring to observe mankind overwhelmed by such catastrophe.
Yet the test is applied, the absence of other safe There should be assuredly deep gratitude and sincere adfhiration for men who can meet it with head cree eyes to the front and soul unquenched. Marshal Joffre, with his gallant retort: "jo les aringote," when plans for a sweeping offensive had gon? ary, showed this spirit. The! campaign of attrition in duc arse outlived its usefulness.'
The wiseacres argue now that it should never have been attempted. How can they question the wisdom of the hanner in which Joffre disposed his instruments, having regard to the circumstances of the moment?
However that may be, Joseph Jacques: Césaire Joffre served his country, to the best of hhis ability. It was a magic best, It brought to the fore, in the service of humanity, that wonderful gallantry, that vivid patriotism, that fervid nobility of spirit-for which the name of France, in a long history chivalry and achievement, is honoured by her friends and respected by. her foes. Wher his hour of chief leadership was over and he had with the full honour of Marshaldom (revived after nearly fifty years' desuetude) to yield place in the Front Line to others, he displayed the humble dignity, the stalwart belief in his nation's genius, the firm faith in ultimate victory, y befitting his rank as a Man of Destiny. He had won the admiration of his fellows; he lived to consolidate it with their affection. Now, when he is on the point of making his last journey under the Are de Triomphe in the City which he saved, he will make it amid the affectionate grief and undying gratitude of his nation and its Allies. Germany, too, adds a generous and discerning token of chivalrous respect. Not the least fervent tribute will be that paid by the Nation who gladly fought shoulder to shoulder with Joffre's men and, in exercising that privilege, was enabled, by the bravery of her own manhood. to share the glory of the victory of which he helped to lay the foundation.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.