Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-27
VIVIANI THANKS
CITIZENS OF i. s.
Spokesman for French Mis-
sion Salutes American Peo-
pie and Government
OLD FRIENDSHIP REVIVED
Forces of Freedom and Victory
Let Loose by the
President

WASHINGTON, April Eth n state
n1ent to the American press Rene Viviani.
Frances Vice Premier and head of the war
mission, says;
| promised to receive you after having
reserved, as elementary courtesy required.
my first communication solely for the
President I have just had the honor,
which | shared with the other members
of the mission, of being received by him.
am indeed happy to have been chosen
70 present the greetings of the French re-
public to the llustrious man whose name
is in every French mouth today, whose
incompatible message is at this very hour
being read and commented upon in all
our schools as the most perfect charter
of human rights, and which so fully ex-
presses the virtues of your race--long-
suffering patience before appealing to
force and force to avenge that ong-suf-
fering patience when there can be no
other means.
LAUDS AMERICANS IN RANKS
Since you are here TO listen to me.
ask you to repeat a thousandfold the ex-
preston of our deep gratitude for the
enthusiastic reception the American peo-
pie have granted us i'm Washington. II
is not to us, but to our beloved and heroic
France that reception was accorded. We
were proud to be her children in those
unforgettable moments when we read in
the radiance of the races we saw the noble
sincerity of your hearts. And desire to
thank also the press of the United States
represented by YOU. 7 fully realize the
ardent and disnterested help you have
given by your tireless propaganda in the
cause of right; | know your action has
(tpntlpn1pO |
you
We have come to this land to salute
the American people and its Government
70 call to fresh Nigor our lifelong friend
ship sweet and cordial in the ordinary
course of cur lives. and which these tragic
hours have, raised to all the ardor of
brctherly love--a brotherly love, which in
these last years of suffering has multi
piled it's most touching eXpressions--you
have given help not only in treasure, in
every act of kindness and good will for
us your children have shed their blood,
and the names Of your sacred dead are
Inscribed forever in our hearts, And it
was with a fun knowledge of the meaning
of what you did that you acted. Your
inexhaustible generosity was not the
charity of the fortunate to the distressed;
It was an affirmation of your conscience,
q reasoned approval of your judgment.
READY TO GO TO THE END
Your fellow countrymen knew that
under the savage assault of a nation of
prey which has made2 war, to quote
famous saying. it's national industry,
We were uphoding democracy with our
Incompatible allies, faithful and valiant
20 the death. with all those who are
fighting shoulder to shoulder with us on
the firing line. the sons Of indomitable
England, a struggle for the violated
rights of man, for that democratic spirit
tempting to crush throughout the world
We are ready to carry that struggle on
to the end.
And now. as President Wilson has
said the republic of the United States
rises in its strength as a champion Of
right. and rallies, to the side of France
end her allies. only our descendants.
when time has removed them sufficiently
far from present events, will be able to
measure the full Significance. the gran
deur of a historic act which has sent
q thrill through the whole world.
From today on all the forces of free
dom are let loose And not only victory.
of which we were already assured. is
certain; the true meaning of victory is
made manifest; it cannot be merely a
fortunate military conclusion to this strug-
gle, it will be the vctory'of morality and
right, and will forever secure the exist
ence of q world in which all our children
shall draw free breath in full peace and
undisturbed pursuit of their labors.
To accomplish this great work, which
will Ne carried to completion, we are
about to exchange views with the men
in your Government best qualified to
help The cooperation Of the Republic
of the United States in this world con-
fict is now assured. We work together
as freemen who are resolved to save the
ideals of mankind,