Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-26
DELEGATES
ARRIVE IN j. S.
Ex.Premier Viviani Heads Mis-.
sion-Marshal Joffre Is a
Member.

MSUlUSIs
Fortress Monroe, Va, April M.-France's
war commissioners to the United States
reached Hampton Roads to-day, and to-
night they were bound up Chesapeake bay
for Washington on board the presidents.
yacht Maynower.
The mission, Of which Rene Viviani,
vice-premier and minister of justice, is the
official head, and Marshal Joffre, a MEM
Der, brings no written instructions from
the French government, the ministry hav-
ing decided to give its members uniimit-
ed powers to negotiate with the United
States on all subjects, military, naval, A.
nancial. 1t is prepared to discuss the send
ing Of an American expeditionary force to
France. Marshal Joffre and other mill
tary members will indicate to the Amer
lean officials with whom they are to confer
several important military reasons which
they consider renders the sending Of such
a force advisable. The most important Of
these reasons is found in the moral
effect to be had from the presence Of
American troops and the American nag
on the battle fields Of France
The French idea of an American ex-
petition calls for fighting force sup
ported by auxiliary services, such as
railway staffs, railway material. base
repair shops, telegraph and telephone
lines, automobile transport and a
strong aviation section. The French
government is ready to offer what
ever may be considered necessary to
assist in sea operations. including the
use for naval purposes of any or all
ports in France. The ministry OF
rin I'D IN ,hvr,S otn
to the American government a compre-
hensive plan for overseas transports
for both army and navy purposes and
for the provisioning Of the civil popu-
lation.
Financially France needs loans OF
$780, 900. 900 monthly to be spent in the
United States. Detailed official infor.
nation on this subject will be sub.
mitted to the American government Al
the conferences to be held in Wash.
ington.
Mr.. Viviani as official head of the COM
mission during his stay here gave the
following statement to a staff correspond
ent of the Associated Press who accom-.
panied the mission from France:
Every American will understand that
In Difference to the illustrious President
Of the United States. whom am going
to see very soon. reserve first word for
him. will have occasion to see you again
and tell the American nation through
you in a more complete manner the emo.
tons with which the representatives OF
France greet in the name Of their coun-
try. the first democracy Of the world. with
which France shares the same ideals.
(Signed) 'vTvIANI."
The members Of the commission got
their first glimpse Of the shores of Amer.
lea at daylight this morning. American
naval officers aboard a hotilla Of destroy
ers met the former French passenger
liner, which brought the visitors over
and the convoy at II o'clock last might
about 100 miles at sea-
The French and American vessels ex
changed signals and then all continued
toward the Virginia capes. Not a light
was showing at any time during the
manoeuvre. At dawn the fiotiIla and its
guests fell in with an American cruiser
which led the way to Hampton Roads.
All the members Of the commission wer'
on the bridge Of their boat shortly aftel
Ave o'clock to see the entrance. The day
was magnificent. AS the roads came into
view. Marshal Joffre turned to an Ameri
can naval officer. serving as pilot. ant
said:
What a wonderful scene. love thi.
I
Countrywide south Of France
Once inside the harbor the American
destroyers slipped away to their anchor
ages. Meanwhile every American ship IL
the harbor hoisted to their masthead.
the French tri-color. and the band of a
warship played the Star Spangled Ban
ner. Marshal Joffre and the military ant
| naval members stood at salute until tn
last note had floated across the waite
while the civilian members stood will
barred heads. Immediately after came thu
French national anthem, which wa
saluted in a similar manner
The ship bearing the mission dropped
anchor off Fortress Monroe, while tn,
convoy steamed several miles farther on.
General viginal the military an,
naval attache Of the French embass
at Washington. Stephane Lausanne
confidential representative. and Colone
Spencer Cosby. u. S. A.. assigned a
Marshal Joffre's aide, came aboar
soon after with dispatches and t
greet the visitors Admiral Mayo. com
mander-in- chief Of the Atlantic flee
called later There was no salutine
the formality Of firing salvos Of gun
having been dispensed with by agree
ment.
I'VE are saving our powder for tn
Germans" remarked the commander O
the French ship.
All of the commissioners returne
Admiral Mayo's call later. Then the
lunched on board their own vesse
finishing just in time to receive Am
lbassador Jusserand. Major Genera
Scott, chief OF staff Of the army. As
sistant Secretary Of State Long, As
sistant Secretary of the Navy Frankli
Roosevelt, and several other official.
who arrived from Washington o
board the Mayf1ower.