General Joffre Predicts German Collapse.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 217, 13 October 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

General Joffre Predicts German Collapse.

Genera] Joffre die Commander-in-Chief of the All ed armies received a crotch of American correspondents at his military headquarters in France on August (3. He pointed out that the turning of the war had Iwen passed, and that Germany would ultimately be crushed. The New York "Times'' gives the following account of the interview. All the American correspondents were rfcceived on August 6 at the Grand Quartier General. It was General Joffre's first formal meeting of the sort. The only other times he ever talked to newspaper men have been at accidental meetings on trips to the iront. He was prevailed upon to make a statement commemorating the two years of war. The correspondents were all taken in spec-al autos provided bv the General Staff. The meeting took place m the workroom of the Commander-in-Chief s military residence near the chateau, the party afterward visiting the headquarters, where they met Gen era! de Castelnau. Franklin Bouillon, President of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs, arranged the reception. Afterward, on the return X> Pans, he gave a luncheon at the Ambassadeurs. General Joffre spoke off-hand. Ho evidently intended beforehand to make no set speech, but nevertheless be spoke readily—iluentlv. His att'tnde throughout showed all the confidence expressed by his words. He flamafned standing throughout, with his his arms folded across his massive chest. General Joffre made a single gesture when, in spcak ; ng of the final crushing of Germany, he brought his two fist? together and ground hr's knuckle* against each other. He wore absolute ly no decorations.

After expressing his pleasure at seeing for the first time a group of men who, as he declared, "represent the entire American opinion," he said :- "The struggle is becoming more and more bitter, but now, l>y unity of action by all of the Allies, Germany is feeling the pressure from all sides. Destiny is shaping itself.and it is easy for all the world to understand what will liappen. "This is the bast occasion to render public homage to the manner in which the Allies have discharged their part. "Russia as been able to reorganise and arm her masses, which arc now pushing forward. Once more time has been given England to show what resources in men she could mobilise. The valour of her troops on the Somme lias shown the result of that effort. The Italians have a difficult and limited part to play, but you know how .splendidly they are doing. The reconstructed Servian Army is now taking a new part in the war. "Consider the situation of our enemies. We know thoy are fight ng as desperately as ever, but they are drawing on their last reserves. Their plan up to now has been to transfer their reserves from one place to another They now find this imposs : ble. Wo knbw this from information from all fronts.

"It is not for mo to say Low long the war will last. It matters little Wo know that the broak is coming You feci, as well as we do. that wo have already passed the turning point Our five months' resistance at Verdun shattered the plans of their General Staff. Do not imagine there is as yet a distinct weakening of the forces against us. We still have two-thirds of tho best fighting forces of Germany opposed to our front. They have 12? divisions (about 2,500.000 men) against the French and English, while fifty divisions, (about /, 125.000 men), in addition to the Austrian army, oppose Russia. VIGHTTNG FOR LIBERTY. "As for the French troops, you may see them for yourselves hotter than I can tell you about them. You are to have every facility for seeing them, and you will sco an army with energy and spirit just the same after two years of war. You will see an army of numbers actually increased to-day You will understand we intend to fight to the end. Wo are fighting for th? lil>erty of the world, and we will continue'fighting until the liberty of the world is assured. NotwHhstanding our

losses, the French Army w-ill end the war with more men in the field than in the beginning." At close range Joffre gives a far different impression than it is possible to obtain even in moving pictures. H;> gives a feeling of reserve strength such as I have never met before, although all of his surface indicatVons are of mildness. He is of stocky and powerful build. Throughout the interview ho stood with his feet planted wide apart. Hcs hair is white and his face islined, but his complexion is so fresh, that at times, especially when he turns to ask questions, he gives the impression of being blandly innocent. But when he faces you squarely you see a face which, although still mUd most of the time, is a perfact fighting face His jaws are square and his heavy eyes are soft, but the left one droops and veils any thought one mr'ght other. wise imagine he could read. His face on the whole, has a decidedly Hibernl tan cast, and that drooping eya made one feel that ho would rather not be about if Joffre got angry. The appointments of 'his residence arc plain. There was absolutely nothing about'the place to remind one of war, except, the fact that the General naturally -wore full uniform. The wall of his workroom was literally lined with big maps. On the table there was nothing wh'ch led to the idea tha'. Joffre does most of his work standing As we filed out he grasped each om> cordially by the hand. It was a galvanic handclasp, such as I have occasionally experienced. But one again got a sense of qufct, immovable, unemotional determination. I thought to myself what a happy thing it was for r ranee that she had Joffre in August two years ago to lead her army, and that she has him now to complete the campaign. The American correspondents (say* another despatch) had an exceptional opportunity to see and talk with General Joffro, who not only is head at the French Army, but also ts in supreme authority over the French. British, and Belgian forces on the. western front, and the French, British, ani Servian armies of half a million men around Salonika, as well as !>c ; ng th* senior commander in the united action, by which the Allies are conducting simultaneous campaigns in tlfc Russran, Italian, French, and Balkan theatn* as part of one systematic whole. It is this recent co-ordination of th* commands on the many fronts that ha* permitted General Joffre to give fu'i scope to his military talent, whie»i probably has been exercised over mor«* men of the Allied nations than ever before has fallen to one militarv commander.

General Joffre was in his private office at headquarters when the party of American correspondents arrived. Jt was 10 o'clock :n the morning, but th-3 General had already begun hi;, work at 7.30, and had gone throug'.i reports of the fighting last night and earl yto-day on the Somme front an* at Verdun, and also along the Russian and Italian fronts.

General Pelle, his Chief of Staff, and a number of staff officers were about, but except for this there was little outward evidence of warfare and none of the confusion and roar of battle heard along the fightng line. Although in touch with the entire range of the front, calm is required to carry on the supreme responsibility residing here at Staff Headquarters. General Joffre presented a striking picture as he stood there among his (Staff officers. «flis Rqtjara-built and sturdy figure wore a dark blue serviceuniform with iltt-le gold braid and decoration. Hs face had the red glow of good health and perfect physical condition, but its striking feature was the indomitable firmness and calmness shown in that square jaw and open countenance. He looked, jn one respect. Ike General Grant is said to have looked on the field of battle. Most French officers are scrupulously well tailored and groomed, and, while General Joffre was not lacking in this, yet there was something suggesting General Giant's disregard of the little conventionalities of uniform and .surface appearances. His heavy grey moustache and bristling hair gave some suggestion also of. General Phil Sharidan, the great cavalry leader.