South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-14
SAYS THIS WAR is
A FINISH FIGHT
Rene Viviani Delivers Stirring
Speech Before Big
Boston Crowd.

BOSTON. May 14.-Boston gave a
warm greeting Sunday to Rene Vivi-
ami, former premier Of France and
head OF the French war mission 10
the United States. The distinguish
ed visitor. coming a day after the
city had outstretched its arm 10
Marshal Joffre. was feasted, toasted
and cheered by thousands.
Notwithstanding a cold, drizzling
rain that fell all day NJ. Viviani and
his party were taken through streets
decorated with the colors of France,
Great Britain and the United States
and were applauded enthusiastically
wherever they went. Crowds braved
the elements TO get only a glimpse
of the guest as his automobile dash
ed from place 10 place in the busy
days program.
Reception i'm Library.
Accorded a gracious welcome by
Gov Mccall, Mayor Curley and
other state and city officials. the
French statesman later was the CEN
ter of a unique reception in the Bos-
ton public library. A visit TO the
home of A Lawrence Lowell, presi-
dent OF Harvard university and to
the Widener memorial library of
that institution, the ground of an
other reception and dinner at the
Boston City club. made up a days
entertainment such as seldom has
been provided here for a foreign
visitor
NJ. Viviani spoke from the grand
stairway in the public library TO an
audience that filled every available
foot of space. At one point in his
address, when he referred with
much emotion TO the traditional
friendship between France and the
United states. ne placed his hand on
the shoulder of the Marquis de
Chambrun, a descendant of Lafay-
cite, and then said that he was
happy TO have been able to bring to
this country a relative of the man
who took such a prominent part in
the formative period of this cOun-
trys history.
Not Alarmed at L. 5. Neutrality.
NJ. Viviani asserted that he was
never alarmed at the neutrality of
the United States.
81 knew in my heart" he said
with emphasis, that your great
country could not contemplate the
slaughter of innocents, the burning
of cathedrals and other outrages
without throwing in your lot with
France and her allies"
He praised the comradeship OF the
officers and soldiers at the western
front, asserting that they were "out
to dispel the enemy who jumped at
our threats in 1914"
He pleaded for "a spiritual union
across the sea-" which he said would
forever safeguard the principles of
true democracy. The present war,
he said, must be a fight to the finish
of victory in the minds Of all the
allies. If a German victory were
possible. he added. the free peoples
of the world, those of America in
cluded. would be reduced 10 "servi-
tude and slavery"
Praises Americans I'm France.
He praised highly the work of
Americans with the French and
British armies, and said that the
people Of France owed them a debt
of gratitude for the wonderful sac
rifice that they are making. In
closing he predicted the triumph OF
the allied cause and again expressed
his qualification that America had
Joined the allies in the fight for
democracy and freedom
NJ. Viviana and his party. which
included the Marquis de Chambrun
and Gen. Vignal. military attache at
the French embassy in Washington,
arrived here from Ottawa shortly
after a. m.