JOFFRE DEAD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 January 1931, Page 5

JOFFRE DEAD

NATION IN MOURNING DEEP EMOTION AT BIRTHPLACE (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) PARIS, 3rd January. The death has occurred of Marshal Joffre. Deep emotion was manifested at Rivesaltes, Marshal Joffre’s birthplace, where work is at a standstill, hundreds of residents hanging out crepe-draped flags. The most significant note throughout France in the mourning observance was when the Prefect President of the General Council of the Marne Department telegraphed the widow, saluting Marshal Joffre’s memory in token of the Marne’s undying gratitude. LONDON, 3rd January. A weakening pulse at daybreak indicated that Joffre’s end was imminent, and his wife and daughter and son-in-law gathered at the bedside. At 7.30 the chaplain administered the final absolution. Joffre lay for hours motionless and unconscious, iind expired at 8.23. Within half an hour the Premier entered the room alone and saluted the Marshal. The announcement of the death was signed by Joffre’s physicians. It is expected he will be accorded a State funeral. The interment will take place at the Invalides. BROTHERHOOD OF ARMS REPLY FROM PRESIDENT DOUMERGUE PARIS. 3rd January. - President Doumergue replied to King George that the death of Marshal Joffre cannot fail to revive in Frenchmen remembrance of the brotherhood of arms which united the two countries in tragic days. ;; BURIAL AT COUNTRY HOME PARIS, 3rd January. The body of Joffre is being removed this evening from the nursing home to the chapel of the military school, where he will lie in state until Thursday evening, when it will be taken to Notre Dame, pausing en route at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while buglers sound the “Last Post.”

There will be a service at Notre Dame on Wednesday morning, followed by a procession to the Invalides and the Barthous Oration.

The coffin remains in the crypt until burial at the Marshal’s country home near a thicket where he used to rest after gardening.

THE STRICKEN SOLDIER

STERN SERENITY IN DEATH

PARIS, 3rd January. The stricken soldier of the victorious army and conqueror of the Marne, defeated in his last battle, lies on an iron bedstead in a sparsely furnished room. The body is shrunken and the pallor of the face accentuated by the white moustache, seems carved in marble intensifying the aspect of stern serenity. The emaciated hands are crossed on the chest and a silver ebony crucifix hangs over the bedstead. MESSAGE TO THE ARMY SAVED FRANCE AT THE MARNE PARIS, 3rd January. M. Barthou, who delivers the sole funeral oration on the 7th sent a message to the army announcing the death adding: “Joffre saved France at the Marne and broke all the efforts of the enemy by his strength of soul and indominitable energy, and ensured final victory.” This reaches the farthest outposts of the army even to the deserts of the Sahara and the jungles of Indo China.

THE FUNERAL

BRITISH REPRESENTATIVES PARIS, 3rd January. Condolences in connection with Joffre’s death were received from the British, Spanish, and Belgian majesties. Mr MacDonald, Mr Baldwin, the Ad- ( miralty, the War Ministry, the Air Force, the General Staff, and the Lord Mayor. , British representatives at the funeral will be: Lord Tyrell, representing the King; General Alleuby. the British Army; Sir George Milne, the Army Council, Admirals Wester, Wemyss, and Dreyer the Navy; Lord Trenchard, and Sir John Salmond the Air Force; also representatives of the Guard’s Brigade, LAST RESTING PLACE WITH OTHER GREAT SOLDIERS (Received sth January, 9.15 a.m.) PARIS, 4th January. Though Marshal Joffre will rest at the Invalides side by side with Napoleon, Foeh and Other great soldiers, he will not unlike Napoleon, have a death mask taken. One of his last requests was that nobody should be allowed to reproduce his image in death.

EARLIER MESSAGES

HIS INDOMITABLE HEART

PARIS, 3rd January. According to medical opinion Marshal Joffre may be said to have passed from the world, as all senses and organs other than his indomitable heart ceased to function. Teetotallers are comforted by the theory of Professor Leriche, chief consultant, that the heart’s strength was due to the fact that the Marshal did not touch alcohol in any form for thirty years.

THE KING’S SYMPATHY

VISITS TO FRONT RECALLED LONDON, 3rd January. King George sent a message to President Doumergue: “I join my people in an expression of heartfelt sympathy with you and the French nation. The sad news will arouse feelings of sorrow, especially in those countries which in. 1914 were allied to France. I treasure the memory of my meetings with Joffre on the occasion of my several visits to the front. Please convey to Madam Joffre and the relatives niy sympathy.” NATIONWIDE TRIBUTES LONDON, 3rd January. Nationwide tributes included those from the Prime Minister, the Lord Mayor, the Air Force, and Army chiefs, and Lord Jellicoe.