New Britain herald., 1917-04-11
Executive Committee of American Relief Clearing House Hears French Leaders Laud President
VIVIAN EXPRESSES
 FRANCES GRATITUDE
Sharp Says France Has Pointed Way to Victory and Idkens Belgian Army to Gallant Band That Thus Determining Result of World
 War.

Paris, April 1.-The entrance of the United States into the war was celebrated last night by a dinner given by the executive committee of the American Relief Clearing House. at which representatives of all the allied nations were present. Herman Harjes presided. MT. Harjes, alluding to the immense satisfaction felt by Ameri- cans in Paris at. the accomplishment of an act they had so passionately de- sired said:
 ''We have had, and happily we still have, at the head of our govern nlent a man who has inspired us with the greatest admiration and the most complete confidence, man who watches over the destinies of our country with a clearness of Judgment equal to any trial we have known. He has made headway against the great est difficulties and was competent to foresee all the reefs upon our course. We were persuaded that with time he would surmount all obstacles, to the great well-being of our country and of the whole world" ...4.,.... ,..
 MT. Harjes spoke of American ad- miration for France and of the joy Americans have in battling with
 
 justice and liberty. The company broke into cheers as he. proposed the health of President Poincare.
 viv.ani Points Way tO Victory.
 Minister of Justice Viviani ex- pressed the great gratitude of France for the help given by the Clearing House in relieving the suffering among the French people. He was followed by United States Ambassador Sharp, who said:
 "Noble France. uncomplaining of the sacrifices which have so strong ly appealed to the heart and con- science of my fellow countrymen, has assuredly pointed the way to victory through the eloquent words of her illustrious son, M. Viviani. in the pronouncement of the undying and unconquerable principles for which she so valiatly fights. Little Belgium, whose heroic army fought like the Spartan patriots of old at the Pass of Thermopylae, though able to defend but for brief time it's terri tory, battled so effectually as perhaps to determine the result of this world wide war. Belgium pleads for the justice of her cause and voices her gratitude for the succor extended to her starving people,"
 .'Vive President Wilson,
 M. deBroquville, in reply, said: "Gentlemen, let us bend very low be- fore the great nation which today gives to humanity the most beneficial and proudest spectacle it is possible to conceive. It is she who hastens by her intervention the realization of our fondest and most loyal hopes. All honor to the United States of Amer ica Vive President Wilson"
 The French government was repre- sented at the dinner by several mem- bers of the ministry. Among the others present were: keishiro Mat sui, Japanese ambassador to France: Marquis Salvage Raggi, Italian am- bassador to France; George Graham, representing the British ambassador; James F. Hyde. J. Ridgely Carter, M. r. Peixotto, A. NJ. Thackeray, A. Piatt Andrew. Dr. Joseph Blake, H. Percival Dodge, Arthur H. Frazier. Captain W. R. Sayles Dr. Darrel and Dr. Edmund Gros.