The Washington herald., 1917-05-04
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ooNrINuED FRoM PAGE oNE.


Intensest interest marked the visit Of
the French commission to the House
of Representatives In order to bid the
French representatives welcome, the
House at noon voted to stand In recess
for the period Of their visit Promptly
at 1910 the commission, escorted by a
reception committee, of which Repre-
sentative Flood, Virginia, was chairman,
escorted the group into the House. At
head OF the French party walked Rene
Viviani, former premier of France and
head Of the commission, and with him
the sturdy Joffre.
Even before the commission and its
escort entered the chamber the enthu-
lslasm broke loose. As the notabIes pass-
ed under the arch to the right of the
Speakers dais, the applause waxed in
intensity. Both viviani and Joffre were
plainly moved by their reception, The
civil and military heads of the commits
sion, accompanied by II. de Chambrrn
great grandson Of the Marquis de La
fayette, stood on the rostrum of the
House during the ovation. The other
members of the commission slowed them
selves in chairs to the right and left
of the great marble desk The Speaker
permitted the applause 10 continue for
minute or more. Then bang. bang,
bang went the gavel, and as the roar
SuDSiueQ, ne SdlQ.
Applause shakes Capitol.
IT present the vice premier and the
minister of justice OF France, Monsieur
Viviani"
Again the crash Of applause shook the
Capitol. This time 1t was for VivianI
alone. He stood bowing and smiling,
without gesture he began, in French:
Gentlemen, we are again receiving
kIa 20
lative body. Personally I wish TO saw
to you, after years OF legislative ex-
perlence, accustomed to the struggles Of
parliamentary life, I cannot fail to be
very deeply impressed. but I should be
more than an orator If could adequf tely
express the supreme joy of being mere.
and speaking from so exalted a tribune,
that from 1t even feeble voice may be
head all over the world.
Never until my dying day shall I for
get the acclamations of the American
people. II do not thank you adequately,
1t is not because our gratitude Is lack
Ing, but because words with which to ex-
press 1t are insufficient. We feel that
your sympathy and your enthusiastic
assistance come not only from your
hearts, but from the jealously which you
have for your own honor. We have seen
that you fulfilled not only the obligations
or national honor, but all at once we have
seen unfolded in its charming intimacy
the complexity OF the American soul"
Viviani's voice grew stronger as he
proceeded. and he began to use his arms
and shoulders as well as his lips as he
continued:
When one meets an American he
meets a practical man, living for the
affairs Of this life. but at the same time
one discovers in the American soul the
freshness and the vivacity Of a new life,
the strength which comes from the de-
vodon to an ideal There is a parallel be-
tween your case and ours. You, like
ourselves, carry the mandate of a free
people, to maintain certain ideals. to ex
change certain opinions regarding the
tremendous problems arising from the
war TO the end that our two nations may
SIDE by side achieve equality and liberty.
Tried to Reassure Subjects.
Opposed to US is an absolute mon
arch, who seeks to compel others to
do his will. When a few days ago
the people of this nation heard the
call to arms. that man who is the
central power in central Europe under
stood the gravity of the new situation
which confronted him, and then we
saw him leaning from his throne and
beckoning to his subjects, trying to
reassure them with a promise of uni
versal suffrage 1t was indeed a bit
ter jest
IF your national hero, George Wash
ington-"
Just here the House, which was
giving remarkably close attention to
speech In language foreign to 90
per cent of the body. caught the name
Of the Father OF His Country There
was a crashing interruption OF the
grafton, and NJ. Viviani stood at atten-
tion while 1t re-echoed through the
great hall.
George Washington" he continued,
could rise from his grave and be-
hold today's war he would himself
proclaim that after nation has Gre
ated independence, it is bound to de-
fend II before all the world, not only
to maintain its own independence, but
to create also independence for other
nations.
I'VE have sworn on the grave of
Washington to fight to the end. But
not only has II been sworn on the
grave of Washington, but also on the
graves of the uncounted soldiers who
have fallen in this war. 1t has been
sworn on the deathbeds of those who
have died in the hospitals of Europe.
It has been sworn on the cradles of
the newly born. 1t has been sworn
by every lover of freedom from the
cradle to the tomb.
ut has been sworn"
More applause followed the conclusion
Of NJ viviani's address. As It subsided
Speaker Clark touched Marshal Joffre
lightly on the elbow. The white-haired
soldier Strengthened up. His booted heels
clicked together. There was riot in the
House. pandemonium from floors and
galleries, handkerchiefs waved in
rapturous excitement from the galleries,
while members supplemented the racket
Of cheers and handclapping with
vociferous pounding of seats and desks.
Joffre stood, blushing through the
rudy tan. He started to speak.
''Vive rAmerique," he uttered and the
House rocked. Thank you" he said
with a military salute, and the House
rocked again. while "Vive Ia France"
in every acent from Beacon street to
Pike County. Missouri, roared back at
him In unrestrained chorus.
Following the ovation the members of
the commission descended to the well of
the House and were greeted by the
members. For each of the little girls
whose Congressional daddies had brought
them to the floor for the occasion
Marshal Joffre had a respectful little
peck at the rosy cheeks.
Nativity School Gives