New Britain herald., 1917-05-08
FRENCH MISSION ON
 ITS WAY EASTWARD
No III Effects Felt From Derail-
 ment of Special Train
J0FPRE REMAINS CALM
Vestibule of One Car Partly Tele- scopcd and Trainmen's Car Is Dragged Along Track and Over turned-Reception Abandoned.

Dragged Along Track and Over
 turned-Reception Abandoned. EfHngham H., May s.--A special train carrying the members of the French war mission to the United States arrived here early today and remained several hours before re- suming the eastward Journey. The train was tied up here for most of the night upon the advice of the o1Eicials of the department of state In Wash ington that cities of all communities where stops were originally sched- uled might have an opportunity to greet the distinguished visitors.
 Members of the tmission said they felt no i'll effects from the derailment of the special near Arcola, Ill.,, last night.
 Long before daylight little knots of people began to gather about the station in the hope of obtaining glimpse of the guests.
 An investigation of the track at Arr cola today disclosed broken rail near the point where appear the first marks on the ties of the wheel nange of the tender of the engine derailed. the sec ond of two locomotives drawing the train. The accepted. theory Is the flange cut off the nuts of the fish plate which bound the ends of the rails and permitted the rails to spread. letting the day coach, one sleeper and the front truck of the dining car down on the ties. The wreck occurred at point where the line Is single track. which had been thoroughly inspected shortly before the accident. Car Partly Telcscoped.
 The vestibule of the Pullman in which the mission staff and newspaper men were riding was partly tele- scoped. The first car, in which the trainmen were riding, was dragged along the track and finally overturned. The men made their escape by crawl ing through the windows. The first engine and tender and the second en- gine minus it's tender became separ- ated from the train when the tender left thetrack and stopped several hum dred feet from where the cars over- turned.
 After making 2 hurried survey of the wreck, Chief Nye, Of tho secret service. boarded sfk6s nrst engine and ran to F1lscn for help. Members of the commission remained aboard their cars until assistance came.
 MarSnaI JOfIrG was the COOleSC or the party. With Vice Premier viviani and the other leaders of the party he was at dinner when tho jolting began. As soon as news of the accident Arcola, people with automo- hdles went to the assistance of the party, offering their homes and ma chimes for their use.
 After a few hours delay the train had been made up with extra equip ment and was on It's way again, Mean while M. viviani, Marshal Joffre and their compatriots had resumed their dinner the table having been laid anew and service reestablished in less than fifteen minutes.
 Philadelphia Abandons Reception.
 Philadelphia. May 8.-Plans for the reception in this city today of the French mission headed by Rene W- viani and Marshal Joffre, were can- celled on receipt of news of the accf- dent to the special train bringing tho distinguished visitors from the west. An elaborate program amid scenes re- splendent in historical traditions had been arranged in honor of the French men but Mayor Smith announced to- day that the party would arrive too late to carry 1t out.
 It was hoped the mayor said that some of the events planned for today could be crowded in tomorrow's pro- gram, which includes visits to points of interest in American history.
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