Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-27
AMERICAS AID MEANS VICTORY
FOR ENTENTE, SAYS VIVIAN;
FRENCH COMMISSION IS BUSY
United States Officials Confer,
With Various Members of War
commission-Joffre in Favor
of Sending Expedition to
France.

between members of the French war
mission and American government Of
hcials for exchanges of views regard
ing the conduct Of the war against
Germany began here yesterday, after
the leading commissioners had paid
o1cial calls upon President Wilson,
Vice President Marshall and Secrotar-
les Lansing, Baker and Daniels.
or foremost importance was a long
talk between Marshal Joffre and
members of his staff and Secretary
Baker. General Scott. chief Of staff.
and several other American army ofi-
GERS. 1t took place at the home of
Henry White. former American am
bassador to France, where the French
visitors are being entertained.
France is known to desire the send
ing of an American expeditionary
force to cooperate with her armies.
and Marshal Joffre came to the Unit
ed States prepared to give reasons for
the opinion of French military ex-
perts. that the sending Of such a force
is advisable. Information regarding
the meeting between the military
leaders was withheld.
Statement to Press.
Soon after the conclusion Of the
conference. Rene Viviani, vice premi-
or Of France, head of the mission,
made a statement to the American
press in which he declared that the
cooperation of the United States in
the war would NEAR not only a VIC
tory for France, which already was
assured, but a victory of morality and
right. which will Forever secure the
existence of q. world in which all our
children shall draw free breath in
full peace and u~ndisturbed pursuit Of
their labors."
NJ. viviani received the newspaper
correspondents in the drawing room Of
the White home. AS the correspond
ents entered, NJ. Viviani arose from a
seat in front Of an open fire, and at
ter shaking hands with his visitors.
spoke In French, slowly and impas-
sionately. When he concluded the
correspondents applauded vigorously.
M. Viyiani bowed and then his as
sistant, Emile Hovelaque. read to the
correspondent an English translation
said.
Questions Asked.
M. Hovelaque informed the cores
pondents that M. Viviani would be
willing to answer any questions they
were asked. To one NJ. viviani re-
piled that he surely might see them
again between times"
To the second question M. Viviani
gave his approval Of a statement
made by his assistant to the effect
that as the mission had placed itself
at the disposal OF President Wilson,
any statement about the negotiations
or other matters connected with the
stay Of the mission in this country
must come from American officials,
Nav MAKO Trina
Several members of the mission are
o anxious to visit some Of the
larger American cities and some Of
the historic spots connected with AM
erican history.
If opportunity presents itself, they
may visit Philadelphia. New York,
Chicago. Valley Forge and Boston.
a night the chiefs Of the mission
were entertained at a dinner at the
White House. and later the entire
party attended a reception there. A
large number of officials and other
persons prominent in the official life
OF washington greeted the distin-
guished Frenchmen.
Dinner Guests.
Among those present at the dinner
were President and, Mrs. Wilson. Am
bassador and Madame Jusserand. NJ.
Viviani. Marshal Joffre, Admiral
Chocheprat. the Marquis de Cham
brun, NJ. Simon. NJ. Hovelaque, Lieu
tenant Colonies Fabry and Redmond.
Chief Justice and Mrs. white. the
members Of the cabinet and their
wives, Admiral and Mrs. Benson. Cen
erai and Mrs. Scott. Counsellor Polk
OF the state department, and Assist
ant Secretary of State and Mrs. Phil
lips.
Everywhere the Frenchmen an
peared yesterday they were enthusi-
astically greeted. Crowds in the streets
recognizing the uniforms. stopped as
The members Of the party were hur-
ried here and there in automobiles.
t%ri-color, were quickly recognized by
tramc policemen and given the right
of-way.
The White home yesterday resem-
bled nothing so much as an !, army
Headquarters in war time. Spurs lin
gled and sabres ratified az o7cers
crossed and %recrossed the big recep-
ton hall. Outside on the terraces,
sentrfes passed to ana fro in front, Of