The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-26

p11 the band aboard the yacht stop
- abruptly. The shining baton Of
~ - marine hands drum major swung
II - the air and out crashed the mill
Il INIT music OF the days of 1888 once
moro. For the first time since the
4 A4I1ciaI inhibition issued to promote
neutrality -0f-Ripd among Americans
N the tragic days OF August 1914.
Y the presidents own band was roaring
Il forth:
aye sons of freedom wake 70 glory.
Hark! Hark, what myriads bid we
risee"
The party at once clambered into
the big group of waiting automobiles.
The first car conveyed Secretary
Lansing and NJ. Viviani Next rode
Field Marshal Joffre and Major-Gen
4 erA1 Scott. other mem bers Of the mis-
sion and the receiving party followed.
At the head of the little procession
trotted the troopers of the Second
cavalry and ali round the group rode
the guard of honor.
school Children Greet Them.
Up through Elghth street and into
the eastern end Of Pennsylvania ave
nue. the gathering horses and the
silent cars sped. Al the, turn into the
broad avenue stood several hundred
youngsters from the big group Of pub
lie schools at that point They bore
tri-colorx and American ensigns
They yelled & greeting and the flags
waved gaily NJ Niviani bowed and
smiled Joffre's ewes kindl"d and his
gioved hand rose TO the peaked kept
in military salute to young America.
On through the avenue sped the 1T
tie procession It crossed the capitol
plaza where thousands had gathered
TO wave welcome. From the stairs
and espianadc senators and congress
men, clerks and stenographers
citizens and more youngsters cheered
and applauded.
Down the broad slope az Capitol
hill whirled the escort. more people
and more cheering. more flags and in
creasing enthusiasm. Into the ave
nue. again and the Frenchmen began
to realize that the national capital
had laid aside every other duty in
order to see them and cheer them.
On through the avenue 10 the treasury
building into the parke below IL and
up Madison place 20 the right OF the
White House under the great elms
which shelter the international shrine
to the Marquis de Lafayette, Major"
General. L. s A, which speaks the
unity Of democracy even iii its title.
and into Sixteenth street
Seemingly the crowds increased in
density as the mission neared it's tenn
porary home Flags flags, fiags--the
Stars and Stripes and the Tricolor
with generous ntermngling OF
Union Jacks for the other great ally
waved and swayed from every side.
Children by the hundreds, for the
schools had turned forth their com
naunities to witness the history max
ing entrance OF the war making mis-
sion. Automobile horns added to thu
din. Everybody cheered everybody
else and everybody smiled.
From the undecorated window Of
the Russian embassy a tired face
peered George fsakhmetoff one time
ambassador of Russia who resigned
because he was "out OF sympathy with
the present tendencies of his govern
ment," saw the triumph of the physi-
cal union of the two democracies.
His countenanCe gave no sign OF what
he was thinking.
At Crescent palace the cavalry es-
cort made an abrupt left turn" and
swung uD to the gates Of the beauti-
full Georgian resid>1ce of former AM
bassador Henry White, where the
heads OF the French mission will be
housed during Their American So
journ. The string of motor cars fol .
lowed slowly. depositing their bur
dens. Every car received It's vel
coming cheer even 10 the hagga &c
two thoroughly d!ngy looking ''opilus'
guarding the trunks.
Would Like to Sec Troops la France.
That discussion of the possibility
and adviss bility of sending at least a
division Of United States troops TO the
lighting lines in France or Belgium
Is TO he part OF the program Of tho
French commission was indicated to-
day, when il was announced that Mar .
m
bers Of the commission proposed to
suggest To American officials witt
whom they a re 10 confer. a number or
important military reasons for such
armed participation on the part OF
the United States.
Marshal Joffre i: was stated, be-
lteves that the most important of these
reasons is tho moral effect that the
presence of American troops aud the
American flag on the battle7elds OF
France would have, In this, IL %
understood, the military members of
the commission have the support OF
Vice Premier Rene Niviani and others
OF the commission, though it is stated
the body brings no written instruc-
items from the French government
French Idea Of Expedition.
The French idea OF an American
expedition calls for a fighting force
supported by AUXILIARY services. such
- railway STATS. railway material,
Nqse repair shops, telegraph and tele
phone lines, automobile transports; and
4 strong aviation section. The French
government is ready 10 offer what
ever NAV be considered necessary 10
assist in sea operations. Including the
use for naval purposes OF any or all
ports in France Tho ministry Of ma -
rine has worked out for submission
IN the American government a COM
prehensiye plan for overseas trans
ports for both army and navy pur-
poses and for the provisioning OF the
civil population
n Financially France needs loans of
800. 600, 900 n month. to he spen, in
the United States Detailed official
Information on this subject Will nc
submitted 10 the American govern.
nent at the conferences 10 he held IN
Washington