The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-04-27
ARMED FORCE French
DESIRE MADE KNOWN
WANT United STATES SEND
ARMY TO EUROPE
Distinguished Men Arrive; Rene Viviani,
Vice Premier and Minister Of Justice,
And Marshal joffre Are Leading
Figures In French Commission
Which Has lust Crossed the Atlantic;
Now In Washington

Washington, April 25-Lord Balfour
the British foreign secretary, In talk
with number of newspaper men here
today, emphaticay condemned the al
legation that the British and French
special war legations were In the United
States in order to entangie the United
States In some dangerous European al
lance, that would make this country
permanently the ally of some European
power or group Of powers. Lord Bal
four brought his fist down on the table
with heavy blow to emphasize his de-
NAL of this charge. He declared it would
be very foolish move on the part Of
England and France ii they should at
tempt anything of the kind.
Fortress Monroe, Va, April Is
Frances war commissioners to the
United States reached Hampton
Roads and they are moving up Chesa
peake bay for Washington on board
the presidential yacht Mayflowcr.
The mission, of which Rene Viviani,
vice premier and minister of, justice,
is the official head, and Marshal Joffre
a member, has unlimited power to ne
gotiate with the United States on all
subjects, military, naval and financial.
1t is prepared to discuss the send
ing of an American expeditionary
force to France. Marshal Joffre and
other military members will indicate
to American officers several impor-
tant military reasons which they con-
slider makes the sending of such a
force advisable.
The most important of these rea-
sons is found in the moral effect to
be had from the presence of Ameri-
can troops on the battlefields Of
France.
Desire American Expedition.
The French idea of an American
expedition calls for fighting force
supported by auxiliary services, such
as railway stats, railway material,
base repair shops, telegraph and tele-
phone lines, automobile transport and
strong aviation section.
The French government is ready to
offer whatever is necessary to assist
in sea operations, including the use
for naval purposes Of all ports in
France.
The ministry of marine has worked
out for submission to the American
government comprehensive plan for
overseas transports, for army and
navy purposes and for the provision
ing of the civil population.
Financially France needs loans Of
800, 100000 monthly to be spent in
the United States. Detailed official in
formation on this subject will be sub
mitted to the American government
at the conferences to be held in
Wa shinotnn.
Washington, April 25.-The French
war commission, headed by former
Premier Vivani and General Joffre,
landed at 1890 this afternoon in the
Washington navy yards, on board the
president'sc yacht Mayflower.
Question to Be Threshed Out.
limited Press Dispatch
Washington. April 25.---IIow strong this
nation Is to go in the pay as you en-
ter plan" of participating in the great
European war is great question to be
threshed out in the house of representa-
tives. The tax subcommittee of the
ways and means committee of the house
is preparing a tax bill. This will pro-
vide special war taxes. 1t may be that
the usual war tax methods of exacting
payments on kilograms, drafts and the
the like will meet with strong opposition.
There are signs of fight.