Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-09
JOFFRE AIDS LAUD
THE MIDDLE WEST
FOR ITS LOYALTY
FRENCHMEN ENTHUSE WHEN
SPEAKING OF THEIR VISIT TO
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATES
BACKS GOVERNMENT WITH
UNITY.
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES.
international News Service Staff Cor
resp0ndent.l

I
respondent.l
En- route with the French Commits.
sion. May 9-The great peaceful
middle west is squarely behind the
United States in the war with Ger.
many It will give its last man. It's
last dollar and last bushel Of grain
To see Prussianism crushed and Tho
world made safe DOR democracy.
Members of the French war mis-
sion, long schooled in the art Of in.
terpretng the public temper were
very positive OF the purpose of the
middle west as thy neared the Atlant
ic seabOard again today.
Five days spent in the great stretch
between the Alleghanies and the Mis-
sissippi river-tlye days filled with en-
thusiastic welcomes, demonstrations
and patriotic fervor and good will for
France-brought forth the most de
lighted expressions from both Mar
shall Jolfre and NJ. Viyani Marshal
Ioffre said
II am a soldier of few words. but
even the most taciturn must speak
when greeted with such sights as we
experienced in the middle west. Also
lutte unanimous enthusiasm manifest
ell everywhere shows the people Of
the United States realize the immen-
sity of the task before them and they
are preparing for it in the same great
earnest spirit early are there in the
war as was shown by the citizens of
France, whom | know so we'll
"OnEmy return to France not .only
will carry the most pleasant memor-
les and encouraging sights every
where but assurances for soldiers of
the Allies that cannot help but TO
raise their spirits.
''They shall know not only that
America has pledged her vast re-
cans are with them in spirits as well.
NJ Viviani said
y am surprised and delighted by
our generous reception in your great
middle west Receptions everywhere
accorded us having truly remarkable
and magnificent. Not only is II grand
and Impressive, but touching and
charming
THE presence of children every
where in such great members in the
streets delighted us. But the beauty
OF 1t all is the way everything was or
ganized and conducted. II left a deer
impression upon MS and the momorio-
we carry away from the middle west
are among the most pleasant Of the
entire trip
I'VE found our conceptions OF
America surpassed, for II is by direct
contact alone to that are able TO judge
all we had read and heard of Amer
cas- vast potential resources and ia
cilities and her progress
I'VE realize the middle west is the
granary not only of the United states
but almost of the entire world. We
now know the unlimited part this ter
ritory can play in the planting and
reaping of large crops that will do SC
much to aid us in winning this war
After seeing the splendid men, W0
nten and children the middle west
we feel no uneasiness as to what they
will do in the war. AS for their Will
ingness to do this, the reception ac
corded us everywhere make us conn
dent not only the manners but The
spirit.
HOvelaque each expressed similar
sentiments. Governors of five states
two Of which contain a preponder
ance of so-calied German Americans
lent their official weight to makinS
the visit of the commission a patriot
ic field day. They pledged the vas
resources of their commonwealth t,
the French cause in which Americ;
has joined. The mayors of six biz
middle western cities also added thel
similar patriotic assertions.
Missouri and Illinois, two state
which have thousands of citizens o
German birth. threw themselves fuI
ly into the entertainment of the Joffr
party.
The middlewest has been vindical
ed,' said a government official attach
ed to the mission. 1T has risen nobl
and thrown back into the very teet
of its accusers any imputation it j
lethargic in this war
Members of the mission were over
wlselmed with the splendor of tn
Mississippi valley and the great re
.ception accorded them. They aske
the press of the nation today to re
turn their thanks.