New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-27
Wilson Receives French
Conferrees and Dimes
with Leaders
"War to the DEATH"
Says Missions Chief
Army and Navy Chiefs
Confer; Message Given to
American Peace

American Peace
Washington, April 26.-Preliminary
conferences between members of the
French war mission and American gov
ernment officials began to day, after
the leading commissioners had paid
official calls upon President Wilson,
President Marshall and Secre-
taries Lansing, Baker and Daniels.
OF foremost Importance was long
talk between Marshal Joffre and mem
bers of his staff and Secretary Baker,
General Scott. chief Of staff, and sew
eral other American army officers. Ii
took place at the home of Henry White,
former American Ambassador to
France. where the French visitors arc
being entertained as the guests of the
ration.
France is known to desire the send
ing of an American expeditionary force
to cooperate with her armies, and Mar
shall Joffre came to the United States
prepared to give reasons for the opin-
ion of French military experts that
the sending of such force is adyisa.
Die Information regarding the meet
ing between the military leaders was
withheld.
Soor after the conference Rene Vi
Vianl' Vice-Prcnier Of France and boad
OF the mission, made a statement %
the American press, in which no do.
eisred that the cooperation of the
united States in the war would mean
not only victory for France. which
ALREADY was assured, but a victory for
morality and right, which will "for.
ever secure the existence Of wor,d
J" winch all our children shall drsw
iree breath in full peace and ppdi,.
'ufoed pursuit of their labors.p
Viviani's Statement
NJ. Viviani's statement follows.
i promised to receive you after bsv.
ing reserved, as elementary courtesy
required, my first communication solsIy
Tor the President. have lust had ,ba
honor, which | shared with the other
members of the mission. of being 70.
ceived by him.
i am indeed happy to have been
CHOSEN to present the greetings of the
French Republic to the illustrious man
whose name is in every French mouth
to-day. whose incompatible message il
at this very hour being read and COM
mented upon in all our schools as the
most perfect charter of human rights
and which so fully expressed the
virtues of your ace-long-sufferin
patience before appealing to force, and
force to svenge that long-suffering
patience when there can be no other
means.
Since you are here to listen to me,
! ask you TO repeat a thousandfold the
expression of our deep gratitude, for
the enthusiastic reception the Amer
lean people has granted US in Wash
ington. 1t is not to US, but to our
beloved and heroic France, that recep-
tiOn was accorded We were proud TO
be her children in those inforgettable
moments when we read in the radiance
of the faces we saw the noble sincerity
of your hearts.
And desire to thank also the press
Of the United States, represented by
you. fully realize the ardent and dis
interested help you have given by your
tireless propaganda in the cause OF
right. | know your action has been
incalculable. Gentlemen, thank you.
Salutes American People
I'VE have come to this land to salute
the American people and its govern
ment; 10 call to fresh vigor our life
long friendship, sweet and cordial in
the ordinary course Of our lives, and
which these tragic hours have raised
to all the ardor of brotherly love-a
brotherly love which in these last years
of suffering has multiplied its most
touching expressions. You have given
help not only in treasure, in every
act of kindness and good will. For
US your children have shed their blood,
and the names of your sacred dead are
inscribed forever in our hearts.
1T was with a full knowledge Of the
meaning of what you did that you
acted. Your inexhaustible generosity
was not the charity of the fortunate
to the distressed-it was an affirmation
of your conscience, q reasoned approval
Of your judgment.
Your fellow countrymen knew that
under the savage assault Of nation Of
prey which has made war (to quote
famous saying), its national industry
we were upholding with our ineom-
parable allies. faithful and valiant 10
the death. with all those who arc fight.
ing shoulder 10 shoulder with US on
the firing line. the sons OF indomitabls
England, struggle for the violated
rights OF man. for that democratic
spirit which the forces Of autocracy
were attempting TO crush Throughout.