Evening star., 1917-05-23
JOFFRE AND HIS PARTY
SAFELY.BAC IN FRANCE
Mission Lands at Brest, Following
Secret Departure From o., S.
Newspapers Kept Faith.
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
PARIS. May 23.-Marshal Joffre and
| former Premier viviani arrived at Brest
last night on their return from. the
United States. They reached Brest at
midnight and are due in Paris tonight.
Vice Premier viviani, Marshal Joffre
and the French mission sailed from
New York Tuesday, May Is. Unknown
American newspapers which loyalty
Kept the secret so the distinguished
guests of the nation might not be un-
necessarily endangered by German sub
marines. the party slipped away on the
same steamer which brought them over
Secret Well Kept.
So we'll was the secret kept by the
can newspapers are cooperating with
the government. that the French COM
missioners generally were supposed to
be still in Washington, and up to yes
terday invitations to them to visit vari-
Gus sections Of the country were re-
ceived in great number.
The departure of the Frenchmen was
attended by as much secrecy as the
government could throw around 1t, and
the arrangements were such as to make
information had they gained possession
of it. :,
Monday, May II, the mission returned
to Washington on special trains from
their remarkable tour OF cities in which
the enthusiasm and acclaim shown by
the American people had been most
touching to. them. After the notable
reception in New York the party had
divided and two groups, one headed by
Marshal Joffre and the other by NJ.
ha ASyfn yfeft To
ada The party reunited at Baltimore
Monday. May IA. and returned to Wash
ington.
Stole Away in Afternoon.
It was presumed they were returning
duct OF the war. but they really re-
turned to make their farewell visits to
President Wilson and other American
ofaciais. Up to that time there had
sfsa saos aot s even Ii a1 gs nss.sn that as sss
special train was held An waiting, ana
late that Afternoon, In aceordancA with
carefully laid plans, the mission sped
away again. doubling back over the
day, and reached New York before mid.
night
Tugs were ready and the eFrenchmen
were taken to the liner waiting for
them In midstream. The ship sailed
early hours Of Tuesday morning. and
50 well had the plans been laid that it
was generally supposed in New York
that the liner and her convoy were
sailing for Hampton. roads to take on
the French party at the place where
they landed on coming to the. United
States.
The ships. however. were laying their
course across the Atlantic, through the
dangers Of the submarine zone, for
Brest. The weather conditions for the
homeward voyage were favorable, for
the moon was dark.
Receptions Unrivaled.
The visit of the distinguished French
men probably never has been ap-
preached in American history, unless
1t was when Lafayette paid his visit to
the new republic he. had helped to
bring into being. Probably no for
eign military hero ever was received
with such demonstrations as were
given to tn marshal of France. Ameri-
cans. choking with emotion, kissed the
great cape he wore: everywhere he
went he was accorded the honors and
acclaim Of the "hero of the Marne,"
who had saved France and civilization
by turning back the German hordes in
that history-making battle.
The receptions to NJ. Viviani were
scarcely less memorable, for no for
more deeply by the fire of his gifted
oratory. Expressing the gratitude of
France for the aid Of her sister repub-
lie in the worlds fight for life. his
speeches in the House and Senate
chambers were epochal and the recep-
tions to ali the French party In the
halls of Congress were memorable.