The Washington times., 1917-04-26
FRENCH ENJOYS AND
WILSON SEAL PACT
Joffre and Party Lionized on
Official Visit to White
House.
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ereds Of men and women. all cheering
and clapping their hands. Automobile
horns were footed and the French
heroes smiled and acknowledged the
ovation by dignifed salutes.
JofTre Runs Up Stairs.
Marshal Joffre electrified the Epec-
tators, as well as his aides, by dash
Ing up the long steps to the State,
War and Navy Building twsn steps at
n time. The crowd wildly cheered
This flash of remarkable agility on the
part of the veteran officer, while the
others in the party went leisurely up
the steps one at a time. The mar
shal turned and smiled at the other
officers.
The field marshars visit to the
State, War and Navy building cost the
United States Government consider
able money, work being entirely sus-
pended by several hundred clerks and
other employees in the three depart
ments while he was in the building.
The Government lost probably 1000
hours work.
Cheered BY Government Clerks.
Appearance of the automobiles
bearing the party OF French envoys
in Executive avenuS, between the
White House and Navy Department,
at 1890 o'clock was the signal for
cheers and applause by crowds OF en-
ployes on the steps of the State, War
and Navy building. The employees
knew the hour at which the visitors
were expected at Secretary Lansing's
office, and stationed themselves at
points of vantage to get a look at
them, particularly the hero of the
battle of the Marne. As soon as the
automobiles. decorated with French
and American flags, were sighted
the cheering began. 1t continued un-
til the visitors passed into the build
ing.
Crowds Jam CORRIDOR.
As the party entered the door of
the ground floor, handclapping greet
ed them. They were cheered as they
entered the elevators. When they
reached the second floor, on which
Secretary Lansing's office is located,
the corridor running east and west
was lined so densely with men and
women that army officers escorting
Minister Viviani and his compatriots
had a difficult task blazing q trail
for them.
When the first elevator bearing
Minister Viviani, Field Marshal Joffre
and members Of his staff, reached the
second floor the crowd OF excited and
enthusiastic employees burst forth in
explosive cheers and prolonged hand
clapping. The plaudits reverberated
through the tiled corridors of the
building for several moments.
Jonre Answers Cheers.
Field Marshal Joffre smiled and
brought his hand snappily to the
brim of his cap in recognition of the
honor paid him. The other soldiers
with him did likewise, while Minister
Viviani, carrying his silk hat in his
hand, bowed and smiled.
The crowd did not bulge while the
visitors were in Secretary Lansing's
office. The appearance of American
army and navy officers at the Secre-
tary's door was greeted with cheers
and applause.
Another ovation was accorded Field
Marshal Joffre as he and the others
in the party emerged from Mr.. Lans-
ing's office. This time the field mar
shall had his cap in hfs hand, expos
ing his snow-white hair. He wore a
dark blue braided coat, on which
was pinned the Legion OF Honor
cross. flaming red breeches, and
nlRnly pOnSneO Dldck DOOIs.
The cheering crowd escorted the
party to the elevator. Then men and
women dashed to the doors or down
stairs to see the French ENJOYS enter
their automobiles and go to the
White House.
Returns to See Baker.
Half an hour later Field Marshal
Joffre returned to the building to visit
Secretary of War Baker. The en-
ployes of that department gave him a
rousing welcome. men and women
struggling with each other to get a
close view of the soldier of immortal
fame.
After a brief visit with Secretary
Baker, Field Marshal Joffre again
went to the office of Secretary Lam
sing, followed by a great crowd of
cheering employees.
When he again emerged from Mr..
Lansing's office TO go to. the Capitol
members of the First Separate Bat
talon, District national guard had
to be pressed into service to force
back the crowds jamming the cor
ridor.
The clerks pressed close to Field
Marshal Joffre, "Vive la France"
"Joffre! Joffre!" screamed the wom-
en- as the party walked slowly down
the corridor Men and women waved
tiny tricolored flags, cheersd and
clapped their hands. The employees
were wildly excited. A number OF
the women rushed forward to grasp
the soldiers hand or to touch his uni
form. He seemed surprise at this
demonstration, but smiled and waved
hiE cap in recognition Of It
Cheering Crowds Everywhere.
A mighty cheer went up a. the
party left the building. As the auto
mobiles sped along Pennsylvania ave
nue. in which hung scores OF French
flags, the uniforms OF the Waiting
soldiers were recognized. and pedes-
trians and automobilists stopped to
cheer and wave haRs.
Arriving at the Capitol the French
ENJOYS encountered another big
crowd. mostly women waving tri- |
colored flags.
The French ENJOYS appeared deep |
ly touched by the spontaneous
demonstrations in their honor. and
confded to the United States army
and navy officers escorting them |
that they had never before seen such |
enthusiasm, even in their own dear
Paris.
It was settled in the course NJ the
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