GENERAL JOFFRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1916, Page 8

GENERAL JOFFRE

"WAR WILL END IN THE WEST."

Senor Joaquin Salvatella, a wellknown Catalan Deputy (says the special Paris correspondent of the Daily News) was recently received by General Joffre, and has given the Barcelona journal "Yen de Catalunya" an interesting account of the' great Frenchman.

"Joffre," says the Spanish Deputy, ''resides in a little chalet in the midst of a garden. The headquarters and officers of the stall' are in an hotel a quarter of a mile away. Joffre's house is very modest and simple. Nothing would lead one to suppose that it is inhabited by the man who commands one of the mightiest armies ever known. No sentinels at the door, no hurrying to and fro of chiefs and officer.?."

General Joffre spoke in the kindest terms of the Catalans, whom he regards as fellow-countrymen. The conversation turned on the war, and Senor Safvatella says Joffre's words impressed him by their serene optimism.

"IMPASSABLE BAKKIEIL" "We have passed through anxious days, it is true," remarked the General. "We liad against us tho whole of the German forces, but now we form an impassable barrier. Ido not say that one of our trenches cannot fall into the enemy's hands or that we may not lose a minor engagement, but all would be recovered within twenty-four hours. We shall not retire from our' present positions. It is impossible. We are the stronger to-day. And this is not my conviction alone; it is that of the opposing German anry also. We shall advance methodically and without precipitation. I confess I am a miser when it is a question of the blood and treasure of the liepublic, but we shall advance."

JOFFHES CERTAINTY. Senor Salvatella referred to Iho Balkans, whereupon General Joffre remarked :

"Whatever happens in the Balkans the situation of the Allied armies will not bo affected by it. Germany is making great efforts to reach Constantinople before the Allies. She is in need of a triumph, even though it be more apparent than real, in order to galvanise public opinion. The people, 'the petite bourgeoisie,' are tired of the war. This appears from the declarations of the prisoners wo have made of late, as well as from other sources.

''But even supposing the Germans become ('masters of 'Constantinople, the solution of the war, say what they will, is here in our lines. It is here that it will be brought to an end. At bottom the Germans think so too, and they prove it by opposing two-thirds of their effectives to us. Germany is strong, but hex* strength is not inexhaustible. The extent of her fronts will necessarily impair her solidarity-"

Senoi: Salvatella was deeply impressed by the tone of certainty and settled conviction with which the generalissimo spoke. This, he thinks, explains why it is that France faces the Avar in such a calm spirit.