The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-12

speech. The French statesman spoke
along the same lines as did Mr.. Bal.
four He spoke in French and EN-
, phasized that the French commission
had come TO the United States III a
spirit OF assistance TO this country and
assured those present that they might
trust Marshal Joffre and ] to do all In
our power to aid America
Niviani's Address.
America. at least fer me-" said
Nj. Niviani. was an unknown land
! AS soon as we reached Washington
We had the honor OF being received
b. your ilustrious president. And as
we left Washington, we felt, so 10
tspeak, his personality. his dignity re-
Effected throughout the country. To
him and as well as those who ac-
Companied US on our journey, / adj
dress my thanks.
Wherever our path lay we have
met only true Americans as we had
been advised We found along our
races joined here 10 make this great
nation and at all the receptions we
have attended we have met the sons
OF many countries. But the Ameri-
can nation. yiriie and So powerful,
has absorbed them all
We were in the presence OF this
people. in the presence OF this weld
/ tions-of nations which have gone
through ancient wars and who have
shed their blood.
1T is before this great nation that
We stand today in this tragic and
historic hour"
When the French statesman con-
cluded the crowd became insistent for
Roosevelt TO speak
All over the hail there were cries
OF "Joffre, Joffre.' Teddy, Teddy"
But neither would respond to The
calls Of the diners.
Al the long guest table were assem-
bled William Fellowes Morgan, w. T.
r. Layton, of the British ministry OF
munitions; r. H. outerhridge. Sir Eric
Drummoud Dudley Field Malone,
Marquis DeCha mhrun, Rear-Admiral
Usher. L s N Rear-Admiral Sir
Dudley, r. 8, DeChair. K. G. Il, NJ
V. O.; Counsellor Polk of the state
department. Joseph. n C"hoate, British
Ambassador Cecil Spring Rice. Colonel
Roosevelt, Marshal ,Ioffre, Governor
Whitman. Mr. Balfour. Mayor Mitchell
NJ Niviani United States Senator
Calder French ambassador Jusserand,
ex-President Taft President Butler, Of
Columb ia, Major General Wood, T..
S. A. and scores of others
The galleries were thronged with
womcu-prlncipa the wives and
relatives of the distinguished men on
the floor below. The streets outside
were seothing with crowds that had
assembled there to fight for fIeeting
glance Of the distinguished visitors.
The dinner itself was a simple one
The menu Was, CLAIMS, pepperpot
shad, roast chicken. sweet potatoes
vegetable salad. strawberry ice cream
and cakes and coffee
British roses, lilies OF France and
American beauties were tho decora
tons.
After the dinner the French com
mission left for BOSTON. The Eng
ash commission Will be guests OF the
city again tomorrow.
r. Wsfeemed to- New York.
r. Trttain's former premier. Arthur
James RalfoaF,Aaad the score of Mill
tary and civil officials who form the
mission which he heads. were welcomed
late today by the American metropolis
The reception. in the words of the
British foreign minister. None of US
have ever seen the like Of"
The cheers which greeted Mr.. Bal
four az typifying Americas ally. Great
Britain, proha bly, were not so loud nor
so lasting as the shouts which well
coined Marshal Jofre, OF France.
But the difference no doubt WAS only
that which usually lies between enthus-
iasm for a civil and a military leader
: The cheers for JoGre OF France had
been emofi0naffY Latin The chners
for Balfour OF Great Britain were
heartily AnElo-Saxon
The ceremony which was carried OUT
in receiving the French mission was re-
peated today In welcoming the Brit
.lsh visitors. Their automobiles were es-
'cortcd BY mounted police and troops
through streets lined with cheering
crowds TO the city Hall. Park Row
again was cra1nmed with men women
and children British flags tioatad
from buildings and were waved by the
spectators. company OF men In the
British Grenadter uniforms with their
towering beaver hate stood on the YER
anda 70 welcome the British guests be-
fore they proceeded to the home of
Vincent Aston where they were lodged
during their stay here
Speaks in city Hall.
You have told us that the American
people have gone into this war in de-
libfS ation and wholeh eartediy for a
cause which has no faint of selfish
ness said Mr.. Baifour In his address
In the council chamber of the City
Hall. You have told us that because
Of your moral sympathies you have
been with It's for two and a half years
while our peoples have struggled. You
have told ua that America can no long
or stand aloof and must bear a share
great share.
Il must say that even before the war
me sympathy Of this great nation was
/ no small help. But happier occasion
/ has come. The United States has
thrown all OF It's powers OF manhood
land wealth and thoRe qualities which
are greater than wealth into the great
struggle and she Will now share our
! fortunes and share our triumphs.
Never have seen scene SO deep
( ~ moving as that | have seen in this
welcome today. I longed as we came
through that great welcoming throng
that those across the Atlantic where
sometimes II seems that the stress
and strain of battle must weaken their
courage--and / have never seen that
courage weakened--might have had
just one glimpse OF the sympathy
which you have shown us. If there
be faint hearts they would have gained
new courage to carry on this great
struggle to its appointed end"
Mr.. Balfour was cheered with vigor
by those who heard him. He had been
preceded by Mayor Mitchell and Joseph