Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-22
ondence of The Star.


~ the LAFAYETTE appsoaen'ms
W insns , American Ins..s business ~, ness men EN-
most beautiful and unprecedented jaunt
through France that ever fell to the
lot of private citizens.
On tug, rushing down the Gironde
to meet them, were French deputies,
Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce men,
reporters of Bordeaux and Paris papers
and a customs inspector to clear their
baggage. From Paris, on government
invitation, came American cable news
agency representatives and newspaper
correspondents. 1t shows the French
idea.
And all over France the beautiful
cities were hurriedly discussing what
sights, honors and banquets they could
offer to the thirteen American private
citizens arriving on the Lafayette.
Why all thiso New ideas are here.
Prominent as they are, the thirteen
fellow citizens are not being Jaunted
about France for themselves alone
They enjoy in trust-as precursors or
forerunners. When they eat nectarfnes
in a chateau garden they take a bite.
as It were. for each of the American
manufacturers at home who did not
come When they dash in high-power
touring cars up the route OF the clouds
to La Grave they take glance for
the American importers who are COM
ing later When they inspect French
factories and department. stores they
-
America
All france is opened to them. They
take notes always. When they enjoy
a moments leisure they must work
they are keeping diaries. Thirteen re-
ports. done by technical observers-
"wb>t I Saw on My Trip Through
France'-are to be nodded into new
KIND Of guidebook for Amsr,cs sn., Tus,s
with France-with France awakened
from her forty-six years Of letnargy
Tkay are the American trade mission
eminent appointment: and there is a
great popular business idea working
behind their visit-greater. probably.
than many Of its members realize. more
on the surface.
In q word. the new international busi-
ness method looms up.
Last year, in November, the French
to America, under the chairmanship OF
Maurice Damour. deputy of the Landes,
former French consul at New Orleans.
II visited our principal industrial cen
tsrs and was hrst entertained by the
American Manufacturer Export As
ISOLATION of New York II was known
that France greatly desired the return
visit Of similar trade commission, and
as the United States government did
not appoint one, 1t was undertaken by
the export association already referred
TO, which represents 500 large Ameri-
can exporting ind wnI. ana l. whGss
10 now Secretary Of Commerce In
making invitations to the trip. II, nat
urally, included representatives OF lead
ing import interests from France TO
At Bordeaux I saw the beginning Of
their reception In Paris. see its con-
tinuation.
Business mems great day has come
They are more welcomed and honored
than ambassadors.
At Bordeaux Tor four days these
thirteen representative American citi-
gems were the guests of the chamber OF
commerce., which gave them two ban
Quets. The mayor offered them a
buffet reception. Jointly with the min
lister OF colonies, come to tnaugurate
the fair of Bordeaux. At the fair they
were the feature. They were 3aunted
about the vast port, with its massive
mechanical unloaders and aerial trans
shippers They were toured to vintage
chateaux, visited the famous wine eel.
lars Of the trade. and. in word, Dor.
deaux was thrown open to them, witt
fetes and honors such as no ambassa-
dor could hope for.
Here 10 their itinerary. Indeed, thu
French government desired American
psny the trip Of forty days through thu
yyen1h cities. - that all Americana
might have . Just IDEA OF what 10 do
q 1s<is they confer with the larger