MARSHAL JOFFRE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1931, Page 5

MARSHAL JOFFRE

HIS LAST HOURS. (Doited Prßea Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). PARIS, Jan. 3. According to medical' opinion, .Marshal Joffre may lie said to have passed Urom this world, as all of his senses and organs, other than his indomitable heart a have ceased to function. Teetotallers will be comforted by the theory of Professor Leriche, the chief consultant, that .Marshal Jlotfre’s heart’s strength is clue to the fifc't that the Marshal did not touch alcohol in any form for 30 years.

THE END

PARIS, Jan. 31. Marshal J off re is dead. The stricken soldier of a victorious nrmv, the conqueror of the Marne, defeated in his last 'battle, lies on an iron bedstead ;n a. sparse I v-furnished room. The body is shrunken. The pallor of the face is accentuated by th > white moustache. *lt seems carved ill marble,, intensifying the aspect of stern serenity. The emaciated hands | are crossed on the chest, and there is a silver end ebony crucifix over the V bedstead. M. Barthou, who delivers the sole funeral oration on January 7th, has Bent a “Du Jour ” to the Army announcing the Marshals death, and adding: ” Marshal Joffreif^’ecl.'lVfuu'e at the Marne, He broke 'all the. efforts of the enemy, Hits strength of soul, indomitable energy" rind ''Continuous service ensured final victory.” This reaches the farthest outposts of the army, even the deserts of Sahara and the jungles of Indo-China. LONDON, Jan. 3. A weakening of the pulse at daybreak indicated that Marshal J off re’s end was imminent. His wife and daughter and son-in-law gathered at his bedside at 7.30. , V His ahaplin then administered final absolution. ' Marshal Joffre lav for hours motionless and unconscious, and be expired at 8.23. . Within an hour/ the Premier, M. SiSterg, entered, the room alone, and saluted the Marshal. The announcement of his death was signed by Marshal Joffre’s physicians. King George seint the following message to President DoUmerge. ■ join my people" in an expression of heartfelt svmpathy "with/ you and the French nation. The sad news will rouse feelings of sorrow, especially m those countries which in 1913 were allied to Franch. " I treasure the memory of my meeting with' Marsha Joffre on the occasion of my several visits to the front! Please, convey to Madame Joffre and the relatives : my sympathy.” BritTsh nationwide tribntes tp MarYshfil Joffre include those of the Prime /Minister, the Lord .Air ijForce and Army"’' 'ChitffT, - anti Lord Jellicoe. .. - PARIS, Jan. 3. Condolences' in connection with Marshal Joffre’s death have been received from the British’, Spanish, and Relvinn Majesties. Mr Macdonald. Mr Baldwin, the British Admiralty, War Ministry, Air Force, and General Stall and tlie Lord Mayor of London. The British representatives at the funeral will (be. Lord Tyrell. representing the King: Lord Allnnby, ren resenting 'the British Army; > ’ George Milne, the Army Council . Admiral Wester, Wemyss and Drever the Navy : Lord Trencharcl, vSir John Salmondj Brooks and Popham, the Air Force; also representatives of the Guards Brigade and Air Force. FRENCH MOURNING. PARIS, Jan. 3. On the death of Marshal Joffre, <Jeep emotion was manifested at Rives, saltes, which is his birthplace. Then work is now at a standstill, and hundreds of the residents are hanging out Ijifepo draped flagjs. r /The most significant note throughout France’s mournirig observance is that the Prefect,, and President-Gen-eral, of the Council of the Marne Department, telegraphed,,'the widow sal uting Marshal Joftfe’s memory ' in -token of Marne’s undying gratitude. It is expected that .lie will be acco\ ded a State funeral. The interment w ilt take place at the Invalides.

JUNEIUL OBSEQUIES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, . January 4. The body of Marshal Jo-ft're U being f removed this evening from the nursing home to the Chapel at the , .Military School where it will lie in state until Tuesday evening, when it will be taken to Notre Dame, pau'sing en route at the tomb of the. Unknown Soldier, while buglers sound the “Last Post.’’ There -will bo a service at Notre Dame on Wednesday morning, followed bv a proto Invalides and Barthouse will give an oration. The coffin remains in the Crvpt until the burial ' pt his Marseilles country home, near 'Thicket, where he used to rest after gardening. JOFFRE’S REQUEST. (Received this dnv at, K> 'lD n.m.) PARTS,' January 4. ' Though Marshal Joffre will rest at ■ invalides, side by side with Napoleon, ji’peh and other, great soldiers; he will jjot, unlike Napoleon, have a deathsk taken. One of his last requests 'was that nobody should he allowed to Reproduce his image in death.