The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-05-17
Pays Tribute to Frenehmen.

Marshal of France and former Pre-
mier Rene Viviani.
The state capital had them and
their party just long enough to show
them the place they hold in the affec.
tions of the states people.
The air was thick with waving
French and American flags, a thou
sand school children were shouting
"Vive la France!" and the chimes Of
Trinity church were ringing the Mar
seillaise" when the distinguished
visitors stepped outside to a speaking
platform on the west state house
steps, following a reception in the
Office of Gov. Cox.
The erect, white-haired and mus
tached Marshal Joseph Joffre and the
smiling, kindly-faced Viviani faced a
cheering crowd of thousands that
packed the state house park to the
iron fences.
Following a welcome by Gov. Cox
and Mayor Karb of Columbus, Viviani
was presented and greeted with an
ovation.
He spoke in French. At the first
sound of his voice the crowd quieted.
AS he proceeded, cheers punctuated
his address. The crowd could not
understand the words, but the crowd
could not mistake the meaning.
Those thousands knew by the pas
sionate appeal in his voice and the
gesture of his hands at what moment
he referred to the battle France is
waging. and they cheered to the echo.
They knew by his grateful smile and
outstretched palms at what moment
he spoke of Americas share in the
war. And translation afterward
showed that the crowd had been
right.
Gov. Cox's Proclamation.
Referring to mother as the great
example for the nations manhood in
this time of stress, Gov. Cox issued
the following proclamation setting
May 13 as Mothers Day:
"In the present hour of stress, when
the highest interest of civilization re-
quire our strength and sacrifice, we
| find the best example to emulate is
that of our mother She willingly
places her life on the altar Of chance
at birth; she practices self-denial as
long as she lives, and when she goes
away, memory Of her is such an un-
broken tie as to give the strongest
| proof of immortality.
Nothing will inspire higher sense
of duty than for us to set aside day
and reflect on the unseltsh service
that has been rendered for us. We
will then better understand the fel-
lowship we owe to others. 1t is a sa-
cred custom which establishes a day
for our mothers.
Il, therefore, by authority vested
in me as governor, proclaim Sunday,
May 13, as Mothers Day, and request
all citizens in Ohio to join in its OBJ
servance. 1t is respectfully urged that
Sabbath schools and churches hold
appropriate exercises, and that every
one wear a carnation in honor of the
mothers for whom the day was desig-
nated-a red one for a living mother,
! white for one who has passed be-
yond.
"In the use of flowers, let it be re-
membered that mothers fairest flower
is her own child, whose presence she
would enjoy rather than the most
| fragrant blossoms"
Military Registration . Holiday.
Gov. J. M. Cox will ask the people
of the state to suspend all business
and make military registration pa
triotic holiday.
All citizens Of the state are to be
asked to go to the registration booths
with those Of military age, that the
call to the colors, answered in fact by
men Of military age, will be answered
in spirit by the men of all ages, thus
showing the response in spirit and
purpose Of the people of Ohio to the
call of the president in time of war.
Flags will fly from every public
building, business houses will be
closed, the whistle of the fife and the
roll of the drum will be heard and a
state holiday be proclaimed when men
of military age in Ohio are called to
| the colors.
Ohio will employ machinery for reg
istration and selection for duty slight.
ly different from the general national
plan, departure from the general plan
being permissible.
Three operations are necessary to
complete the work Of selecting the list
of Ohio men for military duty.
There will be a census Of men of
military age, liable for duty.
True to Adopted Country.
Printing, at this time, the story Of .
great teachers patriotic devotion to
the land of his adoption when at war
with the land of his nativity, is well
worth while.
Father ]. B. Els, a chaplain in the
German army during the Franco-Prus-
sian war, now is pastor at the church
and school of the Sacred Heart in Co
lumbus. He has asked the city Of
ficials to plough the large lawn in
front of the church property.
81 am German by birth, but am de-
termined to help my adopted country
in some manner" said Father Els.
Prizes to Boost Food Production.
Ohio county fairs this year will seek
to encourage greater food production
by increasing their prizes, if declara-
tions approved at special session Of
the Ohio Fair Rovs' association en1.