Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-26
idol OF FRANCE
|. AND EX-PREM M|ER
WARMLY RECEIVED
Heartfelt Enthusiasm Is
Shown in Capitals Wei
come to War Mission.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
SHOUT THEIR GREETINGS
City Turns Out Enmasse to See
These 1llustrious Friends of
United States.
FORMAL CoURTEs1Es TO-DAY
Then Conferences Will Begin to Dc.
termine This Countrys Share in
Beating Germany.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
SHOUT THEIR GREETINGS
FORMAL CoURTEs1Es TO-DAY


w y II Nc TON \pril os-Th.
frcnch war mission to the United
States, headed by Rene viviani. Min
| ister OF Justice and former Premier,
and Marshal Joseph Jofrre. hero Of
the Marine and popular idol OF the pco-
| pie OF France. was welcomed to wash.
,nSton to-day with heartfelt cnthusi.
asnl
Tonight. after being warmly greeted
by American officials and hailed as
iliustrious friends by thousands of pco-
pie who lined the streets while thew
crossed tho city. the commissioners
are at the home OF Henry White, for
'ner amba assador to France as ths
guests Of the United States govern.
ment
Tomorrow the leading members. NJ.
NtViani. Marshal Joffrc and Admiral
Chocheprat will be received by Presi-
dent wilson and later there Will be
preliminary conferences between the
representatives of the French and
american military and nava, chiefs.
Before night the adm ministratio will
nave IN its possession at least broad
outline OF Frances view OF American
participation in the war.
The leading members of the mis-
sion coming un from Hampton Roads
aboard the presidential yacht Nav
howcr had their first view Of the ma
tional capital from Il point on the Po-
tomac River below Alexandria. soon
after Mount Vernon had been passed.
STAND WITH Barred HEADS
AS THEY PASS MOUNT VERNON
AS the Mayhowcr came abreast OF
the nome of the first President the
Marine Band played The Star-Span
G'ed Banner" and the Frenchmen lined
the rail with heads barred and stood
at attention. At Alexandria. rich in
historic memories. the commissioners
salutcd hundreds of people who Uucd
lhc river front wharveS waving their
mats and cheering, while factory
Whistles Shrlekcd out noisy welcome
soon hfterward the navy-yard way.
reached, and there the party was re-
'eN :" pE group OF American officials,
headed by Secretary Lansing. The sec
retary led the ceremony by shaking
hands hrst with NJ. Viviani and Mar
shal Joffre, and then with the other
officers The greeting was no ners
reriunctory diplomatic affair AS the
yacht band played the "Marseillaise"
ana inc marine guard on shore stood
AT attention. there was real warmth,
IN the handshakcs and the earnes,ncs,
OF genuine feeling in the words ri
welcome
once ashore, the party quickly en-.
tered motor cars and drove across ms
, city TO the residence where its mem.
bers are TO be entertained during their
stay here.
clerks in the government depar,-
,"e"'s had been given permission TO
leave their desks TO join in w..lcomiuy-
missed. aud residents from ali over
Washington had nockcd to Tho s,roo,.
trom one end of the city to tho o,bor
| therc was enthusiastic cheering as thu
frchchmen were recognized
fRI-C0LOR IN EVIDENcE
rHROUGHOLT CtpIr<,.
Everywhere the French ,ri.color was
III evidence. 1t was flying from ,bs
OPS OF buildings, from windows of
Offices and residences and from ,u,o-
mobiles. Frequently il appcarcd :,
| company with the stars and Strjpes ,n,,
the British union JACK.
Two troops OF United states
acted as escort for the mission ,br,n.i
me streets, and other regulars wer.
stationed about the White Home Sc
cret Service men are uuariered nearby,
stationed about the White home Sc
mat its rays can be directed upor the
entrance TO the house Every Drecsu.
ton 10 insure the safety OF the party
has been taken.
MIR. Niviani took a long walk through
The residential section @. The city dur
lnS the afternoon. quietly cnjoyiny
Washington IN its spring time Earb
lie was greatly sratified AT The cor.
hia'ity OF the public reception. and. TO
friends. remarked that he was es-
/ pecially delighted To have seen so many
school children amons the crowds.
| Marshal Joffrc spent the afternoon
motoring through Rock Creek Park at
the edge OF the city. The Marquis de-
Chambrun. grandson OF General La
fayette. called upon several old friends
Meanwhile the live STAFF officers and
technical experts. who left Fortress
Monroe by train this morning. had arr
rived and taken up quarters at hotel
The entire party dined later at the
White home.
Tomorrow morning MIR. Nivlan,
| Marshal Jofre, Admiral Chocheprat ard
the Marquis dc chamtrun. accompanied