Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-28
To Visit Mount Vernon.

The speaker then turned to the trip
tomorrow to Mount Vernon.
TT was our original intention to go
to Mount Vernon first. before we saw
your President. even. knowing he would
understand that we wished TO lay
wreath on Washington's tomb, not only
as an act of difference, but as a tribute
behalf of the French people.
Il think Americans hardly under
toward Washington. They are devoted
not only to the ideals expressed in your
war for independence. but in the men
who incarnated those ideals.
There was tremendous feeling when
YOU achieved your ideal. and bitter dis
appointment when II was realized that
though Napoleon might have chosen TO
he a George Washington. he was-just
a Napoleon.
Therefore our visit to Mount Vernon
is not merely a salute or a gesture, but
p tribute of the French people, and for
Them to know that NJ. Niviani and Mar
shall Jeffre met at the tomb of Wash
ington will mean more to them than /
can tell you
Speaks of Change in Program.
Emile Hovelaque. who accompanied the
French mission to the United States es-
pecially for the purpose OF co-ordina ting
American benevolent activities for France
and who has been acting as assistant to
NJ. viviani. received Washington news
paper correspondents during the day
He described in detail the objects of
the mission as understood when 1t left
France. adding that since the arrival
here there had been change in the 4
program. and that the subjects under
than IL had been anticipated they would
be.
II. Hovelaque described the visit OF the
mission to an American wArship at
Hampton roads. adding: I've had no idea
that you had such n magnificent navy"
Speaking again OF the welcome accorded
the commission. he said: I'VE have been
told that Washington was naturally the
coolest city in the United States and
that New York was one of the warmest
II Washington has been cold to us, I sup
pose We will be Moderated when we get
10 New York. for We are going there"
Marshal Joffre's Popularity.
u. Hovelaque then spoke OF Marshal
Joffre and his characteristics, telling the
correspondents how France calls him
Papa" Joffre. He said the marshal, as
well as NJ. Viviani. had accepted an in
vitation to appear on the floor of the
Senate Monday and be introduced TO its
members.
NJ. Hovelaque divulged that hundreds
of persons all over the country had
written and asked for autographs Of the
marshal and NJ. Viyiani He added that
Papa Joffre never had given an auto
graph in his life ami could not do so
now. NJ. Viviani. he said, was almost
equally reluctant to make himself
conspicuous.
Neither Of these men," said NJ Ho-
velaque, desires 10 be separated from
his nation. Both want the people of
America 10 feel that IL is France and
not themselves, that is here"
VI. Hovelaque gave some intimate de-
tails % the life OF Tiyiani. the great
strains and sorrows he has passed
through during the past few years. and
declared him to be "a man of the peo-
pie" The word socialist in France. he
added. does not mean the same as il
does in your country" Admiral Choche-
prat. NJ. Havelaque described as Z
great sailor and a typical Frenchman.'
Members Invited to Visit Cities.
The French mission has received hun
dreds Of kilograms from cities and
towns all over the country asking that
the entire mission or some OF its mem
beers visit their sections. OF course most
of these Invitations had to be declined
because OF the limited time. Some Of
them came from the Pacific coast
II was said. however. that the mission
lad determined to go as far west a.
Chicago and that II was certain PhIa-
delphia. Valley Forge, New York ana
Boston also would be visited IL there
is opportunity visits also may be pa id
st. Louis. Kansas city and New orleans