The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-23
J0FFRE IS HOME
Marine Hero and Party Arrive
Safely in France.
Strict Secrecy Marked Depar.
ture From Z. S. on May Is.

Paris. May 23.-Marshal JoffTe and
former Premier Nvlani arrived at
Brest last night on their return from
the United States.
They reached Brest at midnight
and are due in Paris tonight.
Washington. May 23.-Vice Premier
Viviani, Marshal Joffre, and the
French mission sailed from New
York, Tuesday, May Is, unknown ex-
cept to a few officials and many
American newspapers which Loyalty
kept the secret SO the distinguished
guests of the nation might not be en-
dangered unnecessarily by German
submarines. The party slipped away
on the same steamer which brought
them over, conveyed by a French war
ship.
Supposed Still To Be in d. C.
SO well was the secret kept by the
volunteer censorship, under which
American newspapers are cooperating
with the government, that the French
commissioners generally were sup
posed still to be at Washington, and
up to yesterday invitations to them to
visit various sections of the country
were received in great numbers. The
departure of the French mission was
attended by as much secrecy as the
government could provide and the ar
rangements were such as to make it
difficult for German spies to use any
information had they gained posses
sion of.
on Monday. May IA. the mission
returned to Washington on special
trains from their remarkable tour of
cities in which the enthusiasm and ac-
claim shown by the American people
had been most touching to them. After
the notable reception in New York.
the party had divided into two groups,
one headed by Marshal Joffre and the
other by NJ Viviani had made a fly
ing visit to Canada. The party re-
united at Baltimore on Monday, May
IA, and returned to Washington.
Said Goodbye to Wilson.
1t was presumed they were return
ing to take up their conferences on
the conduct of the war- but they real
" returned to make their farewell
America officials. Gp to that time.
there had been not even an intimation
that the visitors would leave so soon.
Their special train was held in wait
ing and late that afternoon, in accord
ance with carefully laid plans. the
mission sped away again, doubling
back over the route 1t had covered
earlier the same day and reached New
York before midnight.
Preferred Dark of Moon
Tugs were -eady and the French
men were taken to the liner waiting
for them IN midstream. The ship
sailed out thru the harbor guards in
the early hours on Tuesday morning
and so well had the plans been laid
that it was generally supposed in New
/ York that the liner and her convoy
were sailing for Hampton Roads to
I take IN the French party at the same
/ place where they landed on coming to
the United States.
| The ships. however. we're laying
their eourse across The Atlantic. thru
| the dangers of the submarine zone,
| for Brest The weather conditions for
| the homeward voyage were favorable,
! for the moon was dark.
The visit of the distingaishe ed
Frenchnen probably never bad been
approached in American history. un-
! less it was when Lafayette paid mis-
visit to the new republic he had
! helped to bring into being.