South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-01
FRENCH CHIEFS
WILL TOUR WEST
War Mission Members to
Leave Thursday on Visit
in Central States.

WASHINGTON. n. c.. May L.
Frances war mission viii leave
Washington Thursday on a tour of
the eastern middle western states
arranged 20 give its members an
opportunity to see as much Of the
country as possible within a limited
time. Tue distinguished Frenchmen
will go directly TO Chicago from
Washington. and later will visit
Kansas City. ST. Louis, Springfield.
III. Philadelphia, New York and
Boston. The tour probably will last
week or 10 days.
Members of the mission, including
Rene Viviani. its head Marshal
Joffre. the hero Of the Marine. Ad-
miral Chocheprat, one Of the fore
most officers in the French navy.
and the Marquis de Chambrun. de-
scendant OF Gen Lafayette. will
travel on a special train as the guests
OF the United States government
The party viii include among others
the members Of Marshal Joffre's
staff. headed by Col. Jean Fabrev
the blue devil Of France. who
says he is half American because he
has an American wooden leg re-
placing a limb shot away in action.
Hundreds of Invitations.
The itinerary was determined up
on after hundreds Of invitations had
been received by the mission from,
all sections of the United States.
Some came from cities on the Paci-
hc coast and they, as well as many
others, had 10 be declined because
the early presence in France OF the
leading member is imperative. and
only a short time can be spared.
During the tour conferences be
tween representatives Of the United
States and members of the mission
will be temporarily suspended; the
work to be resumed when the mis-
sion returns 10 the capital from
Boston.
The departure Of the mission from
Washington will mark the end Of its
stay as guests of the government i'm
the capital When the members re-
turn they will have the status of
high commissioners of France here
for formal negotiations.
Program Decided On.
The Itinerary was arranged by the
state department, i'm conference
with leading members Of the mis-
sion. and an official announcement
Of the details of the tour issued Mon
day by the state department. says
that "the program has now been
definitely and finally decided upon
and cannot be changed. II was nee
essary 10 arrange the schedule so
that invitations could be accepted
which We're the most practicable"
Extraordinary precautions TO in
sure the safety Of the party while
travelling have been taken.
Because of the responsibility that
viii attach 20 the government in
caring for the person of the mem
hers Of the commission. the state
department announcement says, 1T
u necessary that the times Of their
arrival and departure at different
places and the routes by which they
are 10 travel between known points.
be not now published
Want no Speculation.
The press and citizens of the var
ious cities which are to be visited
are requested 10 refrain from in
dulging in speculation on these mat
tiers. The people responsible for
their entertainment i'm the various
cities TO be visited viii be officially
notified so that their arrangements
can be made, but the information
viii not be for publication. The
routes of their progress through the
streets OF the various cities and the
program Of their entertainment can
he made public
Members OF the French mission
from the time Of their departure
from France have looked forward
almost as much TO their forthcoming
tour as 20 their visit TO the nations
capital. Several of the military mem
hers had hoped To visit Valley Forge.
the scene OF the winter enCampment
Of the Revolutionary war. but for
various reasons the tour will not
include that historic place
LOANS ON FARM LANDS