The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-25
Headed by Vivianl
and General JOffre in
Capital Today.
HAVE FULL POWER
IN NEGOTIATIONS
France Wants u. s. Troops
Abroad for Moral Effect
Needs Loans.

Fortress Monroe, Va, April "a
Frances war commissioners to the
United States reached HAMPTON Roads
today and tonight they are moving up
chesapeake bay for Washington on
board the presidential yacht May
flower
The mission of which Rene Vjyiani
vice premier and minister of Justice, is
the official head and Marshal Joffre. a
member. has unlimited power to nego-
tiato with the United states on all
subjects, military. naval and financial.
1t Is prepared to discuss the sending
of an American expeditionarv force to
France. Marshal Toffre and other
military members will indicate to
American officials several important
military reasons which they consider
render the sending of such a force ad-
Visahlc. The most important of the
reasons is found in the moral effect TO
be had from the presence of American
troops on the battlefelds of France.
Want y. S. Troops.
The French iden of an American OK
pedition calls for a fighting force sup
ported by auxiliary services, such as
railway staffs. railway material. base
repair shops. telegraph and telephone
lines, automobile transports and a
strong aviation section. The French
government Is ready to offer whatever
Is necessary to assist in sea opera
| tions, including the use for naval pur-
poses Of all ports In France. The
| ministry OF marine has worked out for
submission to the American govern
ment, a comprehensive plan for over
seas transportation for both army and
navy purposes and for the provisioning
Of the civil population.
| Financially France needs loans of
$1oo.oo0,0O0 monthly to be spent in the
United states. Detailed official in
formation on this subject will be sub
mittcd to the American government at
tn" conferences to be held in Wash
ington.
Reserves First Word.
| MI \lNiahl gave Inc foiloWing state
ment to a staff correspondent of the
Associated Press, who accompanied
the commission from France:
EVERY American will understand
that in Difference to the illustrIous
president Of the United States. | re-
serve the first word for him. will
have occasion to see you again and tell
the American nation through you in n
more complctc manner the emotions
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.
(Signod). "NINIAN1"
The commissioners got their first
glimpse of America at daylight this
the former French passenger liner
which brought the visitors over and
the convoy at II o'clock last night
about 100 miles at sea.
Met by Cruiser.
The French and the American ves-
sells exchanged signals and then all
continued toward tho Virginia capes.
Not light was exchanged during the
mancuvcr. AT dawn the flotlla and
its guests We're met by an American
cruiser. which led the way into Hamp-
ton Roads.
All the commissioners were on the
bridge Of their boat, with the French
admiral commanding. shortly after <
O'Clock, to see the entrance. The day
was magnificent. AS the Roads came
into view, Marshal Joffre turned to an
American naval officer serving as pilot
and said:
, What wonderful scene. love
the sunshine. 1t reminds me of my
{ own country-the south of France"
Every American ship in the harbor
= hoistcd the French tri-color and the
A band Of warship played the Star
|. Srangled Banner. Marshal Joffre
t and the military and naval members
t stood at salute until the last note had
= floatcd across the water, while the
II civilian members stood with barred
- heads. Immediately after came the
n French national anthem, which was
# saiutcd in a similar manner.
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Il NINE pEphuA Aonr oaAe