INDOMITABLE HEART OF GREAT SOLDIER STILLED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19269, 5 January 1931, Page 1

INDOMITABLE HEART OF GREAT SOLDIER STILLED.

Allies Pay Tribute To Man Who Stopped Germans At The Marne.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.'* PARIS, January 3. Marshal Joff re died to-day. His life had been despaired of for over a week and even the amputation of a leg could not save him. The passing of a national hero is being mourned by the whole of France.

A weakening pulse at daybreak indicated that Joffre’s end was imminent. His wife and daughter and son-in-law gathered at the bedside. At 7.30 a.m. a chaplain administered Final Absolution. Joffre lay motionless and unconscious and expired at 8.23 a.m.

Within half an hour, the Prime Minister, M. Steeg, entered the room alone and saluted the dead Marshal. The announcement of the death was signed by Joffre’s physicians. It is expected that he will be accorded a State funeral. The interment will take place at the Place des Invalides. A few hours prior to his death, it was announced that, according to medical opinion, Joffre could be said to have passed from the world, as all his senses and organs, other than his indomitable heart, had ceased to function. Teetotallers could be comforted by the theory of Professor Le Riche, Joffre’s chief consultant, that the heart’s strength was due to the fact that the Marshal had not touched alcohol in any form for thirty years. The War Minister, M. Barthou, who delivers the sole funeral oration on January 7, sent a du jour to the Army announcing Joffre’s death and adding: “Marshal Joffre saved France. At the Marne he broke all efforts of the enemy. His strength of soul, indomitable energy and continuous service ensured the final victory.” This will reach the farthest outposts of the Army, even to the deserts of the Sahara and the jungles of Indo-China. Widespread Mourning.

Deep emotion is manifested at Rivesaltes, Joffre’s birthplace, where work is at a standstill. Hundreds of residents hung out crepe-draped flags. The most significant note throughout France is the widespread observance of mourning. The Prefect of the General Council of the Department of Marne telegraphed the widow saluting Joffre’s memory as a token of Marne’s undying gratjtude. Condolences in connection with Joffre's death have been received from King George, King Alfonso of Spain and King Albert of Belgium, Mr MacDonald, Mr Stanley Baldwin, the Admiralty, the War Ministry, the Ro) r al Air Force, the British General Staff, and the Lord Mayor of London.

King George sent a message to President Doumergue as follows: “I join with my people in an expression of heartfelt sympathy with you and the French nation. The sad news will rouse 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 Madame Joffre and her relatives my sympathy.” British representatives at the funeral will be Lord Tyrrell, British Ambassador to France, who will represent the King; Field Marshal Lord Allenby, on behalf of the British Army; General Sir George Milne, on behalf of the Araiy Council; Admiral Lord Wester Wemyss; Vice-Admiral F. C. Dreyer, re-

presenting the Navy; Lord Trenchard; Sir John Salmond; Air Vice-Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, representing the Air Force. There will also be representatives of the Brigade of Guards and the Royal Air Force.

BODY WILL BE BURIED AT HIS COUNTRY HOME.

PARIS, January 4. President Doumergue replied to King George that the death of Joffre cannot fail to revive in all Frenchmen the remembrance of the brotherhood in arms which united the two countries in the tragic days of 1914-18. The body of Marshal Joffre is being removed this the nursing home to the chapel of the Military School, where it will lie in state until Tuesday evening, when it will be taken to Notre Dame Cathedral, pausing en route at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier while buglers will sound the Last Post. There will be a service at Notre Dame on Wednesday morning, followed bv a procession to the Place des Invalides, where M. Barthou will deliver an oration. The coffin will remain in the crypt until the burial at the Marshal's conntry' home near the thicket where he used to rest after gardening.

The stricken soldier of a victorious army which conquered the Marne was defeated in his last battle. He lies on an iron bedstead in a sparsely furnished room. His body is shrunken and the pallor of his face is accentuated by a white moustache. His face seems to be carved in marble, intensifying the aspect of stern serenity. His emaciated hands are crossed on his chest and a silver and ebony crucifix has been placed over the bedstead.

NO DEATH MASK OF GREAT SOLDIER

MARSHAL JOFFRE MADE LAST REQUEST.

(Received January 5, 10.30 a.m.) PARIS, January 4

Though Marshal Joffre will rest at des Invalides, side by side with Napoleon, Foch, and other great soldiers, he will not, unlike Napoleon, have his death-mask taken. One of his last requests was that nobody should be allowed to reproduce his image in death.