Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-30
WANTS j. s. FLAG
ON BATTLE LINES
France Cherishcs Hope Stars and
Stripes May Be Unfurled
There Soon.
J0FFRE SPEAKS FOR NATION
Tells American People 1t Will
Hasten End of Euro
pcan Conflict.
J0FFRE SPEAKS FOR NATION

daS through Washington ncWSpa per
correspondents who called upon him
that France chcrishcs the confident
hope that the flag Of tho United States
soon will be flying on her battle lines
Victories sure 10 be won b. the sol
dicrs Of the two republics. once more
lighting shoulder to shoulder for lib
crty. declared the hero OF the Marne
will hasten tho end Of the war and
tighten the links OF affection and es-
tccm which have ever united France
and tho United States"
The marshal. replying TO questions
said he deemed il advisable to send
one American unit at a time TO France
rather than TO wait for tho complctc
equipment Of "A big army. because of
transportation problems. He said. too
that he did not think Americans now
with tho French army should be
withdrawn to serve under the Ameri-
can flag. except possibly a few special
lists who might be useful in de-
velopinE the training of the new Amer
lean force. He paid hearty tribute to
the valor OF Americans now fighting in
France
American officers. he believed were
fully competent 10 train American men.
and he gave il az his opinion that an
American army would develop rapidly
II was just before the marshal and
other members OF tho French war mis-
sion started for visit to the tomb
OF George Washington at Mount Yer
non that the correspondents gathered
at tho home of Henry White.
Emile Hovelacquc. general counselor
Of the mission addressed them briefly.
concluding: And now. gentlemen. you
shall see General Joffrc."
FAMOUS SOLDIER WEARS
UNIFORM Of FRENCH ARMY.
:, door AT the end Of the room
farthcst from the correspondents open
cd and the marshal walked in. The
famous soldier. wearing his Uniform
blue jacket. brilliant red trousers and
leather p otse es took "a position at the
head Of the council table. while his
callers crowded nearer and began to
hle by. There was a clasping OF
hands. and in the case of those corre-
spondents who spoke French a word
or TWO Of greeting. The marshal took
from his jacket two typcwri,ten sheets
OF paper and began TO read in French
When the marshal concluded the
correspondents applaudcd and he su,il-
ed, Then military aid read an Eng
iish version which. he explained, was
hurriediy made and imperfect.
AS the last word was read and the
non French speaking correspondents
realized the Importance OF the mar
shafs remarks, there was a burst of
applause. then checrs-checrs so loud
that they reached the cars OF a crowd
OF men and women waiting outside the
grounds to catch glimpse of the
french hero as he started for Mount
Vernon An American sentry, pacing
up aud down outside the room. lower
cd his gun and discrcetly peered in
through the window just As tho gray
haired soldier Of France. cnthusia sti-
caiIy showing his appreciation, was
cheered again even louder than before
DEPARTMENT EXPunGATEs
J6FFRE'S STATEMENT
y translation Of Marshal Jorfrc's for
mai statement. issued through the
State Department. was exnurEatcd and
did not contain vital passages relating
to the marshal's previously known de-
sire for the presence of an American
force in France. The translation I'm
part follows:
Led by its illustrious President. the
war. By the side OF France in the de-
tense OF the ideals OF mankind the
place OF America is marked
France. which has long recognized
the valor Of the American soldier.
cherishes the confident hone that the
flag OF the United States will soon be
unfurled on our lighting line This is
what Germany breads.
"FrancC and Apcri., u.iI ena ,,;,,.
pride and JOY the day when their sons
are once more fighting shoulder 10
Shc,ldcr in the defense OF liberty The
victories which they will certainly
win Will hasten the end Of the war
and will tighten the links OF affer-
ton and esteem which have over united
France aud tho United States"
When the cheering died away at
the conclusion of tho reading OF tho
aids English translation. NJ Hove
lacnue invited tho correspondents to
ask questions.
Many OF rho corrcspondents' uu.s
tions were prompted by the knowledge
that the marshal favors the sending Of
an American cxpeditionary force to
France as soon as possible. The last
one asked. Marshal Jonrc bowed low
and left tho room with his staff.
CONVERSATIONS LAID
BEFORE DEPARTMENT
Later in the day the corrcspondcnts
were Informed that ii was the desire
OF the members OF the french mis-
sion that their conversations with Mar
shall Joffrc he not published until they
had been submitted to tho State De- |
partment, and that the approved text
OF the questions and answers would be
given out later.
Rene Niviani, head OF tho French
dined Tonight with Henry
White. Among those present was
Archbishop ireland.
General Scott. chief or staff OF the
army. entertained Marshal .,,.rrn and
members Of the military section 1T
dinner. Franklin D. Roosevelt, AS
Continued on Second Page.)