DEPARTMENT OF STATE
APRIL 29, 1917
FOR THE PRESS
INFORMAL AND UNOFFICIAL STATEMENT OF MARSHAL JOFFRE
THE very cordial welcome given me by the City of Washington, and the expressions of sympathy which reached me from states and cities throughout the United States, have moved me deeply, since they are a homage paid to the whole French Army which I represent here.
The heroism and resolution of the soldiers of France indeed deserve all the affection the United States has shown them. After having in a supreme effort defeated and thrown back a barbarous enemy, the French Army has untiringly laboured to increase and perfect its efficiency. And now in the third year of the war it is attacking the enemy with greater vigour and material force than ever before. Side by side with it and animated by no less a heroic spirit stands the British Army, whose formation and development will ever remain the admiration of the world. The Germans have realized its wonderful growth. Every encounter has made them feel the increasing menace of its strength. The contempt they pretended to feel for it in the early days of the war has gradually become a dread more openly avowed each day.
Led by its illustrious President, the United States has entered into this war. By the side of France in the defence of the ideals of mankind the place of America is marked.
France, which has long recognized the valour of the American soldier, cherishes the confident hope that the flag of the United States will soon be unfurled on our fighting line. This is what Germany dreads.
France and America will see with pride and joy the day when their sons are once more fighting shoulder to shoulder in the defence of liberty. The victories which they will certainly win will hasten the end of the war and will tighten the links of affection and esteem which have ever united France and the United States.