SPOKEN LIKE A MODERN BAYARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15807, 3 May 1919, Page 6

SPOKEN LIKE A MODERN BAYARD.

“It is (not I; it is the So on December 19. 1918, 'at the French Academy, spoke Joseph Jacques Cesaire JofEre, Marshal of France. He had just been made one of the immortals of France, and had delivered the discourse expected of every new member, concluding with these words: “France must remain in the future the guardian of tho liberty of the people, the virtues ■of which she has shown during this war have secured for her the imperishable title to this right, and experience has shown that her prosperity is a pledge to the tranquility of the world.” As is the custom, an Academician replied to the oration. This time the honour fell on Jean Richepin, the famous poet and playwright. When M. Richepin referred to Marshal Joffre as “the victor of the Marne,” the Marshal arose and said: “It is not I; it is the poilu,” and thereupon turned to a blind soldier who was standing at the salute in the front row of the balcony. This soldier stood at rigid attention while loud cheers, led by President Wilson, resounded through the hall. Everything seemed to make the occasion notable. Even the sun broke through the clouds as the Marshal appeared. The function was dignified by tbe presence of Presidents Poincare and Wilson. Marshal Joffre wore "the dress uniform of a Marshal of France, having demurred at wearing an Academician’s elaborately-embroidered costume. He said: “It is as a Marshal of France that I enter the Academy, and it is dressed as such that I shall present myself there.” The Marshal delivered his inaugural speech in a deep, resonant voice, which completely filled the chamber in which the ceremony took place. His tribute to America was in part as follows:

“It is not without deep emotion that I look back upon the time which I spent last year in the United States. . . In the midst of the American crowds I lived hours which I number among the sweetest of my life. . . History does not recall a more marvellous achievement than that of millions of men voluntarily breaking away from their peaceful pursuits to cross the seas, where lurked death, to come thousands of’ miles from their own country, and to give up their lives for a noble cause and a great ideal. And, as if the sacrifice were not comp'eted by sending the husbands and sons, we have seen the wives and daughters, Hie fathers and mothers, escorting across the seas that phalanx of warriors to alleviate our sufferings and dress our wounds.”