Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-27
MAY HAVE ASKED
| FOR SENDING OF
FORCE TO FRANCE
Prepared to Give Reasons
for Desiring American
Troops at the Front.
VISITING COMMISSIONERS 81
RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT
Viviani Meets Newspaper Men.
and Gives Them Message to
People of This Nation. Sc
CONFERENCES IN PROGRESS
Everywhere Frcnchmen Appear They
Are Enthusiastically Cheered
by Crowds.
VISITING COMMISSIONERS
RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT
CONFERENCES IN PROGRESS
Everywhere Frcnchmen Appear They.
Are Enthusiastically Cheered
by Crowds.

BY Associated Prc.sI rt
WASHINGTON. April 26.-Confer-
ences between members of the French
war mission and American government.
officials for exchanges of views re-
garding the conduct of the war against
Germany began here to-day after the
leading commissioners had paid official
calls upon President Wilson. Vice
President Marshall and Secretaries
Lansing, Baker and Daniels.
OF foremost Importance was A long
talk between Marshal JoGre and MEM
bers Of his staff and Secretary Baker
General Scott. chief of staff. and sew
eral other American army officers IT
took place AZ the home OF Henry White
former American ambassador to France.
where the French visitors are beinS
entertained as the guests OF the ma
ton.
France is known to desire the send
ing of American expeditionary
force to cooperate with. her. armies.
and Marshal Joffre came to the United
States prepared to give reasons for
the opinion of French military experts
that the sending OF such a force is
advisable. =
Information regarding the meeting
between the military leaders was with
held.
Soon after the conclusion OF the con-
ference, Rene Niviani. Vice Premier OF
France and head of the war mission.
made statement to the American
press. in which he declared that tho
cooperation OF the United States In
the war would mean not only vic
tory for France. which already was
assured. but victory OF morality and
81 irrh ,,,~l.
existence OF a world in which all our
children shall draw free breath in full
peace and undisturbed pursuit of their
iabors"
VINIANI RECEIVES
NEWSPAPER MSN
NJ. Fiviani received the newspaper
correspondents in the drawinE-room OF
the White home #
AS the correspondents entered NJ
Niviani shook hands with his visitors
and spoke in French. When he con-
cluded. the correspondents applauded
vigorously.
NJ. Fiviani bowed. and then his as
sistant, Emile Hovelacque, read to the
correspondents an English translation
Of what the head Of the mission had
said $
The mission began busy day with
call upon Secretary Of State Lansing
at the State Department
The clerks of the great building lined
the halls and gave the Frenchmen a
and handcia pring.
After spending few minutes with
Secretary lansing, n. vivIani. Marshal
Joffrc and Admiral Chocheprat went
over to the White House to be formally
received by President Wilson
CHEERING IS LOUDEsT
EVER HEARD IN BUILDING
As the party left the building. the
cheering was acknowledged by all OBJ
servers to be the most cnthusia site
and loudcst ever heard there The cor.
ridors OF tie 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
automobiles. decorated with tho French
tricolor. blew their sirens. and peoplc
lining the streets added to the cheering.
AZ the main entrance OF the cxecu.
tive mansion a large party OF the PresI-
dents army and navy aids. in full dress
uniforms. met the Erenchmcn. Salutes
were exchanged, and the distinguished
guests we're ushered into the Blue
'>ocih' "Hcic rTeSlOent wilson
waiting TO receive them.
The White House reception differed
from that accorded the British in that
it included all the members Of the
French mission
Minister Niviani, Marshal Joffrs, Ad.
miral Chocheprat and Inspector en-.
eral OF Public Instruction Hovclacans
entered first, and We're followed by the
others.
Since neither Minister Vivani nor
Marshal Joffre speak English. NJ. Hove
lacIue acted as interpreter. The Prest.
dent shook hands warmly with Marshal
Joffre and the other members Of the
mission. and they chatted for about
ten minutes. Then the other members
Of the commission werc taken tn aud
introduced to the President.
NJ. Viviani presented TO tho sPresi-
dent letter from President Poincars
in which the great friendship existing
between the two republics was smpha-
sized. g
The President. through an tnter-
prefer. expressed his appreciation.
Immediately after seeing the Prest.