New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-25
French War Mission
Reaches Fort Monroe,
Goes to Capital
Credit of $1OO, 900, 900
A Month To Be Asked
u. S. Fleet Escorts Party to
Port from Point 100
Miles at Sea

Fort Monroe. Va. April 24.-France't
war commissioners to the United States
reached Hampton Roads to-day, and to-
night they are bound up Chesapeake
Bay for Washington on board the Pres.
idential yacht Mayhower.
The mission, of which Rene VivianL
Vice-Premier and Minister OF Justice,
is the official head, and Marshal Jofre
a member, brings no written instruc.
tions from the French government, the
ministry having decided to give its
members unlimited powers TO negotiats
with the United States on all subjects
military, naval and financial.
The mission is prepared to discuss
the sending of an American expedition
airy force TO France. Marshal Joffrs
and other military members will indi.
cate to the American officials With
whom they are to confer several i'm.
portant military reasons which they
consider render the sending of such
force advisable. The most important
Of these reasons is found in the moral
effect to be had from the presence Of
American troops and the American dag
on the battlefelds Of France.
What United States Can Send %.
The French idea of an American ex-
pedtion calls for a fighting force sup
ported by auxiliary services, such as
railway stats, railway material, base
repair shops, telegraph and telephone
lines, automobile transport and q
strong aviation section.
The French government is ready TO
ctfer whatever may be considered nee
essary TO assist in sea operation, INCLUDE
ing the use for naval purposes Of any
or all ports in France. The Ministry Of
Marine has worked out for submission
to the American government a compre-
hensive plan for overseas transports,
for both army and navy PURPOSES, and
for the provisioning of the civil popu-
lation.
Financially, France needs loans OF
800 900, 900 monthly to be spent in tie
United States. Detailed official n-
formation on this subject will be sub
mitted 10 the American government at
the conferences to be held in Washing
ton.
Mr.. Viviani, as official head Of the
commission during his stay here, gave
the following signed statement 10
staff correspondent of The Associated
Press, who accompanied the mission
from France:
Every American will understand
that in Difference TO the illustrious
President of the United States. whom
] am going to see very soon, ] re-
serve first word for him. I will have
occasion TO see you again and tell
the American nation through you in
q more complete manner the emo
tions with which the representatives
of France greet in the name Of their
country the first democracy OF the
world, with which France shares the
same ideals.
Arrived at Daylight
The members of the commission got
their first glimpse of the shores of
America at daylight this morning.
American naval officials, aboard a fo-
tilla of destroyers, met the former
French passenger liner which brought
tn visitors over and the convoy at IL
o'clock last night about 100 miles at
sea.
The French and American vessels ex-
changed signals. and then all continued
toward the Virginia Capes. Not a light
was showing at any time during the
man@uvre, and the vessels knew OF
each others presence only by the phos-
phorescence kicked up by the propel-
lers. At dawn the fotilla and its
guests fell in by rendezvous with an
American cruiser, which led the way 10
the great harbor Of Hampton Roads.
All the members OF the commission n
were on the bridge Of their boat, with
the French admiral commanding, short.
ly after o'clock. 10 see the entrance.
I Tho day WAS magnificent, with hardly
ripple disturbing the broad expanss
of water. As the roads came into view
Marshal Joffre turned to an American
naval officer who was serving as pilot
and said:
What a wonderful scene! lovs
this sunshine. II reminds me Of my
country the south of France
L. 5. Ships Hoist Tricolor
Once inside the harbor, the American
destroyers slipped away TO their an
chorsges. Meanwhile every American
ship in the harbor hoisted 20 its
mastheads the French tricolor and tha
band of warship played "The Star
Spangled Banner" Marshal Joffre and
the military and naval members stood
at salute until the last note had floated
across the water. while the civilian
members stood with barred heads. I'm
mediately after came the French na.
tional anthem, which was saluted in =
similar manner.
The ship bearing the mission dropned
anchor off Fort Monroe, while the con.
voy steamed several miles further on.
General Viginal, the military and
naval attaehe Of the French Embassv
at Washington; Stephane Lauzanns
confidential representative, and Colon<,
Spencer Cosby, L. s. A., assigned a,
Marshal Jofre's aid, came aboard soon
after with dispatches and 10 greet ths
visitors. Admiral Mayo. cowmander