Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-25
Without Instructions

vice president and minister of Justice
is the official head, and Marshal Jof.
fro a member, brings no written in
structions from the French govern
ment. the ministry having decided to
give its members unlimited powers to
negotiate with the United States on
all subjects, military, naval and fl
nancial 1t is proposed to discuss the
sending of an American expeditionary
force to France. Marshal Joffre and
other military members will indicate
To the American officials with whom
they are to confer several important
military reasons which they consider
renders 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
flag on the battlefields of France
French View Of U. S. Needs
The French idea of an American ex-
redltion calls for fighting force
supported by auxiliary services such
as railway STATS, railway material
base repair shops, telegraph and tele-
phon" lines, automobile transport and
a strong aviation section. The French
government is ready to offer whatever
may be considered necessary to assist
IN sea operations, including the use for
naval purposes of any or all ports in
france. The ministry of marine has
worked out for submission to the Am
'flcan government comprehensive
plan for overseas transports, for both
army and navy purposes and for the
provisioning of the civil population.
France Wants Loans
Financially France needs loans of
floo,0oo,00O monthly to be spent in the
nation on this subject will be submit
ted to the American government at
the conferences to be held in Washing
ton.
Viviani's Statement
Mr.. Niviani. as official head of the COM
mission. during his stay here gave the
following statement to the Associated
fress representative who accompanied
the mission from France:
Every American will understand that
III Difference to the illustrious President OF
the United States, whom l am going to
see very soon, l reserve first word for
him l will have occasion to see you
again and tell the American nation
through YOU in a more complete manner
the emotions with which the representa-
tlves of France greet in the name Of their
country the first democracy of the world.
with which France shares the same ideals.
tSgnedl "VIVIANI."
First Sight of America
The members of the commission got
their first glimpse of the shores of Amer
lea at daylight this morning. American
naval officials aboard flo lila of destroy
ers met the former French passenger liner
which brought the visitors over and the
convoy at II o'clock last night about 100
miles at sea-
The French and the American vessels
exchanged signals and then all continued
toward the Virginia capes. Not a light
was showing. At dawn the fotilla and
its guests fell In with an. American cruis-
er which led the way to Hampton Roads.
Joffre's Tribute
All the members Of the commission were
on the bridge of their boat with the
French admiral commanding shortly after
o'clock to sec the entrance. The day
was magnificent with hardly ripple on
the water AS the roads came into view
Marshal Joffre turned to an American ma
Val officer serving as pilot and said:
What a wonderful scene. ! love this |
sunshine 1t reminds me of my own coun- !
try-the south of France !
Every American ship in the harbor |
hoisted to their mastheads the French |
tri-colors and the band of warship l.
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 ClVlllan IneInpeIS
stood with barred heads. Immediately
after came the French national an
them, which was saluted in similar
manner.
The ship bearing the mission drop
ped anchor off Fortress Monroe.
General Viginal. the military and
naval attache of the French embassy
at Washington; Stephane Lausanne.
confidential representative. and Col.
spencer Cosby, U. S. A, assigned as