JOFFRE, zho'fri, Joseph Jacques Cesaire, marshal of France: b. Rivesaltes, Pyrenees, 4 Jan. 1852. He was educated at the College of Perpignan and in 1868 was enrolled at the Ecole Polytechnique as a student of military engineering. He joined the French army as second lieutenant during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, and was in command of a battery during the siege of Paris. He returned to the Polytechnique after the war, was made a lieutenant in 1872, helped in the defense of Pontarlier in 1874 and became captain in 1876. He served in Tongking under Courbet in 1883 84, and under Dodds in Dahomey 10 years later. He took part in the occupation of Timbuctoo in 1894 and in the Madagascar campaign of 1897; was appointed on his return professor at the Higher War School and in 1901 was made brigadier-general of a division. He organized the defenses of Formosa and in 1911 while in command of the Second Army corps at Amiens was made commander of all the French forces. The Three Years' Service Law for the French army is largely due to his efforts. He is a dis tinguished mathematician. At the outbreak of the war in Europe in 1914 he was chief of the general staff. He was placed in supreme com mand of all forces, both British and French, on the western front. History will in all proba bility laud him as the hero of the Marne. With Von Kluck battering his way to Paris, Joffre doggedly refused to give battle, announc ing that at his own time and on his own ground, and not before, would he make his stand. But
when, finally, he issued his memorable orders on the eve of Lafayette's birthday, in that gloomy September of 1914, °Troops unable to advance should die whcrs thzy stand rather than give ground to the enemy,* not a soldier wavered. The German was thrown back on the Somme front, Paris was saved and Joffre ascended to the council of France's heroes. Joffre yielded the command of the forces in the field to General Nivelle in 1917, and became adviser of the general staff at the war office. In April 1917 he was made a member of the French High Commission to confer with the government of the United States on the con duct of the war. Everywhere in America he was hailed as "the savior of France." He was made a marshal of France in 1915 and holds the grand cross of the Legion of Honor. He is greatly esteemed by the soldiers of his com mand for his many little deeds of kindness along the battle line and men in high places respect him because, shortly after he assumed supreme command, he cashiered several gen erals for inefficiency, without regard to friend ship or political influence. He has published 'My March to Timbuctoo.>