The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-25

From the navy yard, the trenc
; party will be escorted by two troop
OF the Second United States cavalr
to the residence Of Henry White.
With the French party are nava
military, aerial. munitions, shipping
grain and other experts, who Wi
join in the world war conferences.
French Delegation Arrives.
by Robert j. Bender, United Pres
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, April 25.--Th
Iinal step which brought represents
tives of the worlds greatest democ
racies in personal contact for discus
sion of plans for successful wagin.
of the world war against autocrac.
came today with the arrival of thu
French commission in Washington.
| AS former Premier Viviani ano
Marshal Joffre, the idol of Frances
army, were still gliding up the
, Potomac on the yacht Mayflower, ar
rangem ents were all but closed for
extending to England the first loan
of this government-two hundred
million dollars.
At the same time British Foreign
Secretary Arthur j. Balfour was an
nouncing that England and France
do not seek to inveigle the U. S.
into any entangling alliance with
European forces, but that their COM
missions have come here to help
this country.
He expressed confidence in Amer
ica's determination to see the fight
through to the finish.
Few more impressive scenes have
been witnessed in Washington than
that enacted at the navy yard when
the Mayflower arrived with the
French representatives at 1890 this
afternoon.
Several thousand men, women and
children lined the half mile lane from
the navy yard gates to the pier
where the yacht locked with the
distinguished visitors.
Mounted troopers came to atten-
ton from their position as guard of
honor near the pier. Scores of naval
and military officials were waiting
to greet the French commissioners.
AS the Mayfiower was warped into
her pier, the marine band, on the
lawn of the navy yard, struck up the
Marsellaies.
On the Mayfower's deck, standing
out in sharp contrast among his
civilian companions, was Marshal
Joffre, in red cap and pale blue army
cloak
Immediately the gang plank was
up, Secretary Lansing mounted 1t
and as he stepped on deck bugles
All soldiers and sailors
came to attention, as did the victor
of the Marine, while the secretary of
state fastened forward between the
lines of the crew and greeted Vivi-
ami, Joffre and other members of the
party.
A great cheer went up and the
party, led by Viviani and Lansing,
then descended the gang plank. They
went Immediately to the residence
held in readiness for the French COM
AS they left the pier.
the marine band continued playing
the French national air. Crowds lin
ing the street cheered the commits
sioners as they were whisked away
IN Hmousines.
rhe Mayfiower with her distin-
yuished burden, steamed slowly up
he Potomac from Hampton Roads
through the forenoon, conveyed by |
. destroyer.
Beach combers and fishermen toll !
ng in the murky mists shrouding /
nc river, stared wonderingly as the |
wo craft passed with a great trail |
# black smoke dwindling off with /
he flying cloud scud.
Passing Alexandria just below
Washington, the party was greeted
With screeching whistles and tolls
rom the bell of the ancient church
TENDED bysGeorge Washington.
At Washington the party was met
" Secretary Lansing, Counsellor
'olk. Assistant Secretary Phillip and
COLONEL Harte, President Wilson's
ersonal aide, who boarded the yacht
o extend Americas official welcome. F
Pathetically cheering among the
roup of Frenchmen stood Colonel
'abrey. Joffre's chief of staff, hob
ling on the wooden leg he has worn
ince the German repulse at the
ates of Paris.
Accompanying the party up the
iyer had been the officials who had
let them at Hampton Roads, includ-
~ Assistant Secretary of the Navy
roosevelt. General Scott, chief of
taft, and Admiral Huse.
Among the French commissioners
,as one unheralded before-Emile
[ovelaque, head Of the high school
ystem.
The French embassy In toto, head
d by Ambassador Jusserand greeted
he commissioners. The reception I
,ndered the commissioners amount
d to an ovation. Thousands lined
,e streets from the navy yard to
he French quarters in Sixteenth I.
rect. 1t was over six miles of
neering people and honking automo
lie horns.
Now and then out of the crowd a
reat banner would greet the eye,
,ading 'Vive La France and long
We Joffre.'
No flag was flying from the Rus a
an embassy, causing some COM
ent.
|