Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-26
Hero of the Marne Given En-
thusiastic Reception When
ever He Appears. d.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE GREETS
FRENCH VISITORS WARMLY
Military and Naval Contingents,
Pay Their Respects to Secretaries
Baker and Daniels.

Heads of the French war commission
spent their first day in Washington in a.
strenuous round of social calls, chief
among which was the visit to the White
House. where they were received by Pres.
ident Wilson.
Crowds gathered about the White House
fence as Marshal Joffre. military hero Of
France. and former Premier Viviani. be-
loved of the French people as leader
in letters and art as well as in states
manship. and other members Of the CONF
mission entered.
Everywhere the commission went. In
the streets, a crowd seemed to have
sprung up. as IL by magic. and the day
was marked by these spontaneous demon~
strations. as well as by the formal. butt
no less cordial official welcomes tenderedi
the visitors.
Call on Secretary Lansing.
Minister Viviani, head of the missionf
Marshall Joffre. Admiral Chocheprae
and vicompte de Chambrun called first
at Secretary Lansing's Office. Former
Secretary of State Elihu Root was cone
ferring with Mr.. Lansing at the time.
The clerks of the great building
crowded into the dimly lit halls. usu--
ally deserted and quiet. and gave tho
Frenchmen a reception of continuous
cheers and handclapping. which echoed
in a strange and cacophonous clatteE
through the long corridors.
After spending a few minutes with
Secretary Lansing NJ. Viviani, Marshal.
Joffre and Admiral Chocheprat won't
n Hnuga
the President.
Corridors Ring With Cheers. '
AS the party left the State. War and
Navy building. the cheering was ace
knowledged by all observers to be the
most enthusiastic ever heard there. The
corridors of the great building fairly
rang with hurrahs for France. =
The visitors took motor cars for the
short ride from the State Department.
to the White House. Hundreds Of au<
tomobiles decorated with the French
tri-color sounded their sirens and peo-
pie lining the streets added to the
cheering. At the main entrance OF the
executive mansion large party OF the
Presidents army and navy aids. In
full dress uniform. met the Frenchs
men. Salutes were exchanged and the
distinguished guests were ushered into
the blue room, where President Wilson
was waiting to receive them.
While the reception of the members
of the commission at the White House
was as ceremonious in every respect
as the manner in which the British
commission was received a few days
ago, the departure OF Marshal Jonro
from the historic mansion was charn
acterized with extreme informality.
Spryer Than Younger Men.
The sixty-five-year-old hero Of the
French people dismissed his motor az
the White House portico. the otheE
French officers with him quickly fold
lowing his example. and. on foot. he
started out of the White House
grounds, at a brisk pace, with which
Col. Spencer Cosby, U. S. A. former
military attache of the United States at
Paris had difficulty in maintaining. az
he directed the famous Frenchman'a
way.
Marshal Joffre came down the wind@
ing pathway to the White House Offices
and then started out through the west
entrance of the grounds to the State. Wat
and Navy building across the street,
Crowds had collected around the en3
frances to both buildings and cheered
as the marshal led the way across the
street. up into the State. War and Navy
building. his associat ties and staff stream4
ing along back of him in a vain attempo
to keep up with him. .
The marshal went up the steep steps %
the State. War and Navy building two at
a time and as the crowds around realized
the race he was leading the younger men
behind him they roared with laughter and
cheered him again and again. 9.
Other Formal Calls Paid.
While walking through the White Hous1
grounds the marshal asked many quesx
tions about the history of the mansiou
and was deeply interested in the answera
by Col. Cosby. former military attache ad
Paris and former military aid to tho
President Every employe in the execuS
tive offices rushed out to see the marshal.
He smiled and saluted as they broke into
applause.
returned to the building To pay calls on
the Secretary of War and tine Secretary
of the Navy. The temperance of the
marshal was marked by reception no
less vociferous than the one a few min<
utes before. For the victor of the Marna
was reserved shout each time he camd
in sight. The high voices of the woman
clerks always led the cheering.
All the general officers duty in
Washington, including Mai Gen. Scott
chief of staff; Mai. Gen. Bliss. his asS
Brig. Gen. Kuhn, president o6
the War College. and the chiefs of tho
bureaus were present
Presents President Poincare's Letter
President Wilson was deeply impressed
by the members of-the French commis@
sion, particularly with NJ. Niviani and
Marshal Joffre. In the brief exchange
Of greetings the President told them how.
deeply the American people appreciated
the action of the French republic in
sending the commission to the United
states and Minister Viviani replied, say{
ing that the French people felt verH
deeply the bond of friendship between
the two nations. cemented by the end
trance of the United Ctates into th4
war He presented to President WilsoR
A letter from President Poincare. -
While Marshal Joffre and his add
were calling on Secretary Baker and
the American army officers, Admirap
(,hocheprat and his aids were calling On
secretary Daniels. In the meantime M
Viyiani had been at the Capitol and
visited Vice President Marshall. The
FORMER premier was invited to address
he senate at some later time. and fG
was said it might be arranged. A.
similar arrangement is being consider1
ID by British Foreign Minister Bale
four. -
Alter Marshal Joffre had finished hnn