Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, April 25, 1917, Image 1

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    The Omaha -Dad; y Bee
Want-ad
Night Service
to 10 p. m.
Tyler 1000
THE WEATHER
Unsettled
VOL. XL VI. NO. 266.
OMAHA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL 25, 1917 TWELVE PAGES.
Oa Train, it Htlt.
Niwt fttt4a, Ktt., 4e.
SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS.
GERMANY TO
MAYFLOWER CARRM0RENCH
GERMANS RESIST
HAIG'S RUSH WITH
ALL THEIR POWER
Teutons Making Supreme Ef
fort to Hold Hastily Organ
ized Position East
of Arras. .
BRITISH POUNDING AWAY
Head of First Salient is Thrust
to Within Four Miles
of Vitry.
FRENCH BIG GUNS ACTIVE
(From I Staff Correspondent of the Aaso
elated Pross. )
British Headquarters in France,
April 24. (Via London) The resist
ance of the German armies appears
to increase, in accordance with the
nearness of the British approach to
the Hindenburg positions.
This is particularly true along the
present front, where the threat is
against the Drocourt-Qiieant switch
line, which is depended upon by the
Germans' as the connecting link be
tween their lines north of St. Qucn
tin and south of Lille.
This is the switch toward which the
Germans are falling hack slowly, but
surely as a result of the turning of
the top of the original Hendcnhurg
line, running from just southeast of
Arras toward Queant.
Teutons Resist Desperately.
The Germans are putting forth a
supreme effort to hold this vital por
tion of their defenses, the crumbling
of which would expose Douai and
Cambrai and bring into prospect an
other great retreat.
The British have driven two
wedges into the German positions,
tunning sharp salients in the region
of 'he Scarpc river and north of the
Bapaumc-Cambrai road. The head
of the first salient has been thrust
within four miles of Vitry, the most
important point on the Wotan line,
but the tenacity and power with
which the Germans are fighting
leaves the issue for a time i doubt
German Strike Suppressed.
The. little news that trickles across
the German frontier indicates that
the authorities have gained the upper
hand in the strike situation by the
drastic method of militarizing the
munition industry and forcing strike
leaders -into the fighting ranks.
French Official Report.
Paris. April 24. The artillery was
very active last night in the vicinity
of Hurtebise, in tht Foulon valley
and near Craonne, says today's offi
cial announcement. French patrols
took prisoners.
Two German attacks during the
night were repulsed. In the Cham
pagne there was grenade fighting.
German Official Report.
Berlin, April 24 (Via London).
Only on the Cambrai-Arras road did
the British gain ground yesterday,
says the official statement issued to
day by the. German army headquar
ters staff. The ruins of Guemappe
remained in the hands of the British.
An attempt by the British to break
trough the German line near Arras,
the statement adds, failed with tre
mendous losses.
England Will Be Placed on
Bread Rations in Short Time
London. April 24. England will
shortly be placed on bread rations, it
is understood.
It is generally conceded that the
bread problem is the crux of the
whole situation for it is upon bread
that the working class depend.
The Weather
For Nebraska Unsettled; showers eait
portion; cooler vent portion.
-S a. m 4 a
!) a. m 6
10 a. m 47
12 noon 50
1 p. m 49
2 p. n E.I
3 n. m .'I
4 p. ii 5"
i p. n S3
P. m is
Comparative Loral Record.
. 1916. 191
Hlf host j'fstorday. .
Lowest ys-terday. . .
Mean lemneiature. .
Precipitation
4S
.00
Temperatures ami precipitation departures
from thr normal at Omaha compared:
Xoimal temperature , 6
D "fi. uiicy fur the Way fl
Tout xver since iMarch 1 .....87
Nm msi". i.rn-li'ilatlon 13 Inch
IetiV!'Mwy for the dny 13 Inch
Tfj'Jit i::ifrtll nliue March 1 3.09 Inclieu
Lerrc:eni;' fcinco March 1 56 inch
lcfl' leiit.y Tor cor. period tn UJS.l.M inchea
Deficiency for cor. period In 115.1.31 Inches
Reports From Station at 1 F. M.
Sutton ant! Statu Temp. High- Raln
of WeathT. 7 p. m, eat. fall.
"hpyenne. cloudy 44 50 T.
Davenport, cloudy. 46 64 ' .20
Denver, cloudy
Dm Moiti'a, cloudy...
54
tiodiTe City, clear. . . .
Land r. clear
No-tli Plalte, clear...
Omaha, clfar. ,
Puall:. cloudy
lUpid City, rlrar
Salt Luke I'iiy. clear.
Santa Ke, cloudy
Sheridan, clear
Sioux Tit;-. Hnudy. . . .
Valentine, part Homly
..Ci
I.. A. WELSH. Mctrorole&ial
PREPARE TO MEET '
ALFALFAjSHORTAGE
Circulars, to Be Distributed
Among Farmers, Will Sug
gest Substitutes.
COMMERCIAL CLUB ACTS
With' the alfalfa crop throughout
Nebraska largely winter killed, busi
ness men in Omaha and throughout
Nebraska will use mailing lists to dis
tribute among the farmers a circular
now being prepared by the College
of Agriculture of the University of
Nebraska, telling what may be sub
stituted. A meeting held at the Commercial
club rooms in Omaha yesterday de
veloped that the alfalfa crop through
out most of the state is from one
third to 90 per cent killed.
F. J. Farirugti. president of the
Omaha Hay exchange, presided.
Prof. Burr and Prof. Keim of the
University of Nebraska spoke on the
conditions the university experts have
found. F. J. Farrington said on his
own patch of thirty-three acres of
alfalfa on the west Dodge road he
found a few sprouts a few weeks ago.
but now finds that even these are
dead. He had expected to pasture
about 200 hogs on this field this sum
mer. Crop in Bad hape.
Chairman Farrington read letters
from farmers and business men from
all over the state, showing the con
dition of the alfalfa crop to be in very
had shape. These letters were from
Hastings. Fairburv. Colcrirltrr-. l.am-.
el, Genoa, Stromsburg and other
towns in ail sections of the state.
Prof. Burr said he would recom
mend that farmers seed the ground
to amber cane or millet and at the
same time seed down other fields with
alfalfa, in order that next vrar tin.
alfalfa acreage could again be normal.
"My first choice would be amber
.cane, lie said, "and next millet. Mil
let is not a very good hay, but it is
much better than -nothing, and it
yields well. Cane is very good, and
will yield exceptionally heavy." Rape
and many other kinds of rough feed
were mentioned.
Farmers Are Puzzled.
Prof. Burr said the farmer ordinar
ily knows what to do in emergencies
of this kind, especially when wheat
fails, for he immediately plants com
instead. "Now, however," he said,
"since alfalfa has gone back on him
the farmer is puzzled." He pointed
out how serious would be the situa
tion next fall and winter, if from
shortage of hay and rough feed, the
farmers over the state would be
forced to sell their young live stock
off short.
Representatives of the Hav ex
change, Grain exchange, implement
men, Commercial club men, creamery
men and the Live Stock exchange at
tended the meeting.
The bulletin, which the university
people will complete within forty
hours for distribution, will show in
tabular form the various rough feeds
that can be raised, the amount of seed
to be sown to the acre, the time of
seeding and the crop that mav be ex
pected under normal conditions.
Chinese Waiter Can Tell
How Some Folks Beat H. C. L
Tom Jim, a Chinese waiter em
ployed in the King loy cafe, insisted
that H. (5. Polian, 2420 South Thirty
second avenue, and 11. E. Smith, 3819
Soutli Twenty-fourth street, pay for
meals which they had just eaten. He
.was nursing a swollen eye and a badly
bruised chin is he told police that
the two diners objected strenuously to
his suggestion that they pay for the
food. The case was continued until
Wednesday. ,
American News Writers
Asked to Quit Germany
London. April 24. The German
foreign office has notified the Ameri
can correspondents who have re
mained in Berlin that their presence
in Germany in no longer desirable,
according to the Exchange Telegraph
correspondent at The Hague. The
American newspaper men. It is added,
have therefore decided to leave for
Switzerland or Scandinavia.
Liner; Carrying Gallic Commission
Crosses War Zone With Lights Out
Ship Makes Eighteen Knots an
Hour Before the Wind on
First Night Out.
CONVOY PRECEDES VESSEL
Washington, April 24. The Asso
ciated Press correspondent who ac
companied the party from France
sends the following dispatch from
the port of arrival:
As the ship bearing the French
commission came into port today
American warships broke out French
colors from their mastheads and
American bands played the French
national anthem. American and
French sailors lined the rails of their
respective ships. No salutes were
fired.
The special train bearing the mis
sion slipped out of Paris in the early
morning observed only by a few se
cret service agents and railway men.
The transfer from train to ship was
MODIFY U-BOAT
DemocftfOn the
March in Germany
Amsterdam (Via London), April
24. The General Anzeiger of Dus
scldorf publishes a dispatch that
at a reception to foreign journal
ists in Berlin "the most reassuring
declarations" were given concern
ing the democratic character of
the new orientation, as evidenced
by proposed legislation. In fact, it
was said, "democracy is on the
march."
Regarding Germany's war aims
it was declared that "the world
will be astonished by the modera
tion of the German peace terms."
DRAFT SYSTEM IS
POPULARIH BRITAIN
DRAFT SYSTEM IS
POPULARIN BRITAIN
English Almost Fanatical Over
Universal Service, Says
General Bridges.
WAR PEOPLE'S BUSINESS
Washington, April 24. Lieutenant
General Bridges, a member of the
British commission, declared today in
a talk with newspaper correspondents
that the British democracy had be
come "almost fanatical" over universal
military service.
The volunteer system under which
the empire entered the war. General
Bridges said, cost the lives of the most
valuable citizens and crippled indus
trial mobilization.
"War," said General Bridges, "now
has become an immensely democratic
business; needs the fill effort of
every member of the community.
"Men, women and children are
equally drawn into its vortex, the
women anil children being forced into
industrial lines, fed on half rations
to supply the men at the front.''
Officers Big Problem.
General Bridges talked of the diffi
culties which had beset England at
the beginning of the war.
"The source of our greatest diffi
culty," he declared, "was the sending
to Europe of practically our whole
trained army as an expeditionary
force. This robbed us of all training
officers and it was only through
returned wounded officers and the
withdrawal of others that we were
able to build the skeleton for our new
forces. At the same time we allowed
most of our better class youths, uni
versity men in many cases, to enter
the ranks, which withdrew them from
the officers' class and placed that re
sponsibility on far less well equipped
persons. The wastage of the best
blood of the nation was enormous.
It is my opinion that if it had not
been for Kitchener's immense person
ality we should have had conscription
within a few months. If Lord Rob
erts' proposal for universal service
had been enforced we should have
saved enormously, not only in men,
but in industrial efficiency."
General Bridges estimated' eight
months as the necessary time to train
a division. Individual recruits, how
ever, may be made fit to go to the
front in a short space of eleven
weeks, provided they are distributed
In proportions of fifty amongst 200
trained men.
"Artillery must be in great pre
ponderance," the general said," before
an attack can be initiated. The bayo
net, however, is still essential. I
should estimate that the present suc
cesses on the western front are due
to a British preponderance over the
German artillery of at least three
or four to one. There is absolutely
no doubt as to the outcome of the
war; the only question is as to its
length."
Stock Exchange Men
To Do Important Work
1 .run-Inn Anril ?4 A nn
1 lint Ut!ll,l.M till
was madp tncln; tUit- tUn ci. ..1.
change will be closed Saturdays un
til luriner notice to permit members
and employes to take up work of na-
lunai importance.
without event, as was the voyage
across the Atlantic.
Warships passed out ahead of the j
French steamer into the danger zone, I
winch in tins case is one of the haunt
ing places of German submarines.
The first night out the ship and
convoy made eighteen knots an hour
before the wind, all running without
lights. After three years' war service
the celebrated liner which bore the
party is a mixture of former ele
gance and rough temporary fittings..
Horse racks and troughs line the
main promenade deck; powder and
smciis arc siorea in some ot the pn-1
vatc cabins fore and aft near the 1
five-and-a-half-inch guns. Racks of '
repeating rifles are upon every land- i
ing; life preservers are piled near the !
stairways.
Part of the guard turned back the '
second night out, but the remainder
continued all the way over. Saturday '
an English cargo boat set its course '
as though it would run close, but was
given a wide road for fear it might
have been a submarine tender.
NEUTRALS HEAR
RUTHLESS DIVERS
WILL BE CURBED
Norwegian Press Informed
That Imperial Government Is
Ready to Make Radical
Changes.
SPAIN DISPATCHES NOTE
Madrid Communication Out
lines Nature of Concessions
Expected of Kaiser.
DRAWN BY E$. PREMIER
Christiana, April 24. (Via Lon
don.) The Norges Handels Sio
fartstidene says that as a result of
reports by German ministers and con.
suls in neutral countries to German
government, the latter probably will
draft new regulation governing the
ruthless submarine war upon neutral
shipping.
Spain, the newspaper adds, already
has outlined concession it expects.
Note Received In Berlin.
Amsterdam (ViaLondon), April 24.
A Berlin dispatch to the Cologne
Gazette says the Spanish note has
been received in Berlin. The note re
peats the demands that men and ships
be spared!"-
Commenting on the note the dis
patch says the fact must not be over
looked that it was drawn by Count
Romaiiones, who is no longer at the
head of the Spanish government.
Go To Berlin for Conference.
Copenhagen (Via London), April
24. The National Tidcnde says it
learns that the German ministers in
neutral states, including Count von
Brockdorff-Rantzau, minsiter to Den.
mark, have gone to Berlin to partici
pate in a conference of the Bundcsrat
on questions connected with Ger
many's submarine warfare.
Furnish 100 Army
Reserve Officers
At least 100 Omaha young men are
expected to become officers in the
first army of 500,000 men to be raised
this summer.
Colonel Edwin A. Root. U.' S. A
arrived in Omaha Tuesday and has
opened offices in the arm r km riin
He will take charge of local nrepara-1
(in tie aiirl rA..t f I
olirantu for th. r.... ...: '!.
ano tne fort Snelling training camn.
Ten thousand officers will be
needed for the first army of 500,000
men, said Colonel Root. "Two thou
sand five hundred of these officers
will be trained at Fort Snclling dur
ing May, June and July. Several hun
dred of them should mm, mm m
braska, and at least 100 from Omaha."
Intelligent, sober, men, between the
ages of 20 years, 9 months and 44
years, are eligible to attend the train
ing camp and take examinations for
commissions in the big arm-. They
must have good character and stand
ing in their communities, with per
sonality, force and aMr,.. .;.:.,
them to be officers, and with ability to !
......... c incii. .transportation, uni
forms, equipment, subsistence and in
struction will be furnished at govern
ment expense.
Germans in Lower
Brazilian States
Organize Revolt
Rio Janeiro, April 24.-Telegrams
received here from Parani confirm
reports that the Germans in south-
cm Brazilian states are concentrating c c,,1'ula a,c ulc "'"est in years, ne
in the state of Santa Catharina 2W' a,s "tT 1'82'0O "
IS believed a German insurrection
in the south is imminent.
Russia Modifies Rules for
Sale of Alcoholic Drinks
Petrograd, April 24.-(Via "Lon
don.) The provision government has
modified the rules governing the sales
t?Ona,n0f''?,iC ?r,i,"ks- by ,he i"-d':-tu
fol ow'"8 "Ru'ations:
first-The sale of alcoholic drinks
containing a percentage of alcohol in
excess of one and a half degrees is
proh.bitcd throughout Russia
the'TalrlTf w:,ne-rj"e districts
and nit Podd locally
and not containing a percentage of
alcohol in excess, of twelve degrees
outsTof'tt S?,C' f
tbheores.,b"ed Uy thC """"cipalTu3:
Predicts Three More
Republics in Europe
London, April 24. At a confer
ence of journalist! representing
the European neutral countries
consideration was given to the ef
feet of the Russian revolution.
One speaker expressed the be
lief that republics would be set up
before the end of the war in
Sweden, Greece and Spain.
PARTY
Joseph Jacques C.
! Member
NO GRAIN CORNER
IN OMAHA MARKET
Heavy Demand from Millers
and Housewives' Flour Panic
Behind Inflated Values.
WILL NOT ADVANCE TO $5
In spite of the erratic condition of
the Omaha grain market, members
' of the Grain exchange assert that there
is no corner, in wheat, corn or oats
for May delivery. They further de
clare there is no manipulation in
cash grain or futures.
In support of their contention they
y present high prices are due to
these causes:
The visible supply of grain in the
United States is the lowest in year.
Records show
Wheat, 30,257,000, as against 50,
889,000 bushels one year ago: corn,
9,506,000, as against 25,214,000
bushels one year ago,
Ocean clearances on grain Mon
day aggregated 977,000 bushels, as
against 83j,000 one year ago.
Housewives and a good many of
the men have become panic-sir.icken,
fearing that they may not be able
lo buy flour in the future and are
laying in supplies of ten to twenty
five sacks, whereas formerly they
purchased in fifty-pound lots.
No Corner in May.
That there is no corner in May
wheat, so far as Omaha transac
tions are concerned, they say is evi
denced by the fact that while Tuesday
the May option sold up to $2.45H
2.51, the same option sold to 2.SZ
in Louis, $2.47(rf2.50li in Kan
sas City and $2.316.2.40 in, Chicago.
While corn for May delivery was
selling at $1.37(1.40, on the floor of
the Omaha Grain exchange the same
option sold at $1.43" in Kansas City,
$1.43 in St. Louis, and $1.35(0)1.43 in
Chicago, '
Wheat stocks in storaee in Omaha
elevators are the lowest in years, be-
the corresponding date last vear
That stocks, even with high prices
prevailing, will not show any material
increase until another crop is ready
for market is the unanimous opinion
of the grain men. They assert their
survey shows that not to exceed 15
per cent of last year's wheat crop ii
in the hands of the farmers and not
more than 30 per cent of the com.
While they don't talk famine, they as
sert that there must be conservation
of all grain foodstuffs.
To show that the supplies in ,'irpt
hands are decreasing, local grain deal
ers produce figures showing receipts
at the principal grain markets of the
country today and one year ago. They
are:
Wheat Omaha, Tuesday, 11 cars,
and one year ago, 66; Chicago, today,
118 carloads, and one year ago, 384;
Kansas City, 71, and one year ago. 93.
Corn Omaha, Tuesday, 24 car
loads, and one year ago, 76; Chicago,
Tuesday, 211 carloads and one year
ago. 286; Kansas City, Tuesday, 35
carloads, and one year ago, 73.
Jardine Wants Trucks
Supplied With Mattresses
"Automobile ' trucks should be
equipped with mattresses as safety
first protection for pedestrians who
get in the way of these vehicles." was
a suggestion offered by City Commis
sioner Jardine.
The commissioner's interest was
aroused when the city clerk read to
the council a communication from
Hannah Davis of 1514 North Twenty
, eighth street, asking for $10,000 for in
juries suffered when a citv truck was
driven over her on a downtown sidewalk.
POLICY: REPORT
TO WASHINGTON
J of he, Noted
of French Mission
Famous Marshal
of France and
Former Com
mander-in-Chief,
Who Comes to
Advise
U. S. Army
Officers in the
Art of War
LEGISLATURE ENDS
ITS LONGEST SESSION
Capitol Fight Settled by Appro
priating $65,000 for
Repairs.
GOVERNOR YET MAY VETO
(From a Starr Correspondent.)
Lincoln, April 24. (Special Tele
gram.) The Nebraska legislature ad
journed today at 5 o'clock. Records
show the session the longest ever held
in the state. It convened January 2.
It settled the fight over the new
capitol building by appropriating a
lump sum of $65,000 for repairs with
out specifying how the money shall
be used.; A
Sixty-nine members of the house
were present, today and twenty-seven
in the senate.
The big claims' bill was the last of
the important bills to be considered.
State Treasurer George Hall got
his $535 claim for attorney's fees in
volved in the suit over the retention
of fees by the fire commissioner's
department.
The maintenance bill held back be
cause of the appropriation for repairs
for the state house, was finally agreed
to by appropriating a lump sum of
$65,000 for repairs. The items had
been formerly reported as $50,000 for
repairing the east wing, $10,000 for in
cidental expenses and $10,000 for the
legislative chambers, but it was under
stood the govenor would veto the
item for repairs for the east wing.
The committee then put the whole
sum in one item under repairs. It is
rumored the governor will not ap
prove the apportionment as it stands'.
Thirty Million
Eggs Held On Side
Tracks at Chicago
Chicago, April 24. According to
Herbert A. Emerson, who has been
to the, Pacific coast investigating food
conditions for John J. Dillon, com
missioner of the state of New York,
there are between 30,000,000 and 36,
000.000 eggs on the tracks in Chicago
held by speculators to keep up high
prices.
Mr. Emerson said that the Pacific
coast states this year, instead of im
porting eggs as they have done gen
erally, will have a surplus of 75,000
to 100,000 cases to sell.
Mr. Emerson said he had no evi
dence of an "egg trust." hut said he
is sure there is a "mighty close un
derstanding" between the big dealers
and was confident an investigation
would cause a break in prices.
"The butter situation is a parallel,"
he said. "The Pacific coast this year
will be able to ship east a surplus
of 150 cars of butter, 24,000 pounds
to the car. Four years ago the coast
imported 200 cars."
Old Man's Quick Change
Wins Liberty in Court
John Maher. 201 North Ninth street,
was in court Tuesday on the charge of
stealing coal. He is 70 years old and
wears a long beard. In the course of
several alibis, he announced that he
had fought for the north in the civil
war. Somebody slipped him a tip that
Police Judge Madden was a south
erner and Mr. Maher promptly de
clared that he-had fought with Gen
eral Lee against the Yankees.
"God bless you, my children," said
the versatile veteran when court an
nounced that he was free.
JOFFRE AND HIS
PARTY ARRIVE IN
CAPITAL AT NOON
Commission, Which is Con
voyed by Warship, is Met
Off Coast of America
by Destroyers.
HEADED BY M. VIVIANI
Second Member Is Former
Marshal, Who Will Advise
Officials of Big Problems.
GRANDSON OF LAFAYETTE
Washington, April 24. The French
commission will arrive in Washington
at noon tomorrow on board the presi
dential yacht Mayflower from Hamp
ton Roads.
This communication was author
ized tonight by the government.
The commission, which includes
Marshal Joffre and former Premier
Viviani, arrived early this morning on
board a speedy steamship of the
French line, which was convoyed
across the Atlantic. " " ""
The vessels were met off the coast
by American torpedo boat destroyers
and escorted into port.
The naval and military attaches of
the French embassy at Washington
and American naval and militaryof
ficers. together with a representative
of the State department, immediately
boarded the French vessel and ex
tended a welcome to American
shores.
Later, the State department issued,
this further statement:
"The Department of State is ad
vised that the French mission will
reach Washington tomorrow morn
ing. The precise time and place of
arrival will be announced later."
Viviant Headt Party.
At the head of the mission is Rene
Viviana, minister of justice and vice
president of the council of ministers,
who embodies the highest type of
French democracy. He is a progres
sive in every sense, belonging to tiic
independent socialist rtarty, which in
cludes such men as Painleve, Briand
and Milleraud. .As minister of labor
in the Clemenceau cabinet he passed
the workers' pensjon law. through Par
iiament. ,
Other members of the party are:
Marshal Joseph Jacques Cesaire Jof-
fre, commander-in-chief of the French
armies until last December, now mili
tary adviser of the government; Vice
Admiral P. L. A. Chocheprat, dean of
French admirals and an expert on sub
marine problems; Marquis Pierre de
Chambrun, member of the Chamber
of Deputies and a student of'interna
tional affairs; M. .Simon, inspector of
finance; M. Hovelacque, inspector
general of public instruction, and Sur
geon Major Dreyfus.
.Viviani was born at Sidi-Bel-Abbes,
in Algeria, November 8, 1862, and was
admitted to practice law before the
court of appeals at Paris in 1887. His
socialistic tendencies, early manifested
themselves and he became counsel of
the railway workmen and employes.
Elected to the Chamber of Deputies
in 1893 and again in 1898, .and re
elected in 1906, he has maintained his
membership ever since.
On June 14, 1914, Viviani succeeded
Gaston Rounierqiie as president of
the council of ministers and minister
of foreign affairs. In that dual capac
ity he accompanied President Poin
care on a special occasion to Russia
and only four days after their return
to Paris war was declared on Franci
by Germany. It was primarily be.
cause Viviana was a member of Pres
ident Poincare's cabinet when the wai
broke out that he has been retained
The French people felt that to permit
him to retire might be construed ai
evidence of their disapproval : ol
France's entry into the war. Besides,
there was the immense personal pop
ularity of the man himself.
Joffre's Distinguished Career.
Marshal Joffre is the only man in
France since the close of the Franco
Prussian war in 1870 who has been
authorized to bear the illustrious title
of marshal of France, and this distinc
tion was conferred on him by unani
mous action of the French chamber
in recognition of his splendid services
as a military leader in what probably
was the most critical moment in
French history. His officers and sol
diers, however, scarcely know him bv
his distinguished title: to them he has
been "Our Joffre" or "Grandpa" since
he led them to victory on the Marne
and finally turned the tide of Germaii
invasion.
Joffre was commander-in-chief of
the French army at the beginning of
the war and he remained in that honor
until December last, when he gave
piace to uenerai .Mvelle, to become
marshal and military adviser of the
government.
Will Aid U. S. War Department.
In responding to the call of active
duty his services are placed at the
disposal of the American people,
whom he comes to advise in the best
way of organizing,, disciplining,
equipping and perhaps transporting
to Europe the greatest army which
the country has ever called into
being.
The marshal was born in 1852 at
Rivesaltes in the Pyrennes of parents
in the middle station of life. At 17
(Continued on Ptre Tito, t'oluma One.)