Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-05-10
CROWD GREETS FRENCH
COMMISSION HERE SUNDAY

ouh'iiilVVluH illilL UUMuHI
Although Mexico had only an hours
Sunday afternoon, a crowd full.
y $500 gathered at the Wabash sta
ion at 4;3O and greeted enthusiastic
ally the special ENJOYS to the United
States-Monsieur Viviani, vice-pres-
dent of the council of ministers; Gen.
nral Joffre, marshal of France and
savior of Paris; Lieutenant Colonel
the "Blue Devil Of France"
Marquis de Chambrum of the family
the great Lafayette and the others
who came with them.
The crowd was augmented with the
Hardin College students CARRYING
American frlags and smaller ban
ners of all the Allied nations and the
students Of the Missouri Military
Arademy in dress uniform and headed
by the their splendid band. As soon
as the train halted Marshal Joffre,
Viviani, Admiral Choche-
pratt and Lieutenant Colonel Jean Fa-
bry were introduced and cheered by
the crowd.
Monsieur Viviani then addressed
the assemblage in French which was
afterward translated. He said he
appreciated this reception and was
delighted to be in America. That
the French people were much pleased
that America had Joined them in the
fight to maintain the standards of
liberty and democracy throughout
the world.
The party was on a special proceeded
by a pilot engine. The train was
composed Of a parlor and observation
car, diner, car for the newspaper
men and train officials.
General Traffic Manager McNam-
ra, of the Wabash, wired local agent,
l. M. Richards, shortly before noon
Sunday, to have a number of bust
ness men meet him when he came
through this city at 8 o'clock on the
regular Wabash st. Louis train
At the train he told them of the
French Commission coming. The cit
liens Immediately called the Military
Academy and cars were sent about
the city collecting the students SC
they could attend in military array
Hardin College and the private home,
Of as many as possible were also no.
titled.
Thirty-Two in the Party
The ENJOYS, who, with their party
including seven newspaper men, mum.
Der thirty-two. In the French party
were:
M. Rene Viviani, vice-president O
the council Of ministers.
Marshal Joffre.
Vice-Admiral Chocheprat.
Marquis de Chambrum, great
grandson Of General Lafayette.
Emile Hovelaque, inspector gener
al Of public inspection and genera
counselor of the mission.
Viscount De Jean, counselor of tn,
French embassy.
Lieut.. Col. Jean Fabry, Marsha
Joffre's chief Of staff.
Lieutenant Commander Simon o
the French army.
Lieutenant De Tessaun, military ali
to Marshal Joffre.
Lieut.. Col. Spencer Cosby, Unite,
States Army, attached to the Frencl
mission.
Lieut.. Commander Allen Buchan
an, United States Navy, attached l.
the French mission.
Warren D. Robbins, Representative,
of the State Department, attaches
to the French mission.
Breckenridge Long, third assistan
secretary Of state.
Representatives of three America
and two French press association
and one Paris newspaper.
NOtables in the Party
Rene Viviani is minister of justic
and vice-president of the council 0
ministers. Since 1892 he has bee
one of the leading figures in FrencI
public life. He is an independent so
cialist and a spokesman for the work
ing classes of France. Since the out
break Of the war Viviani's organizinI
ability, his strong grasp upon inter
national affairs and his bold upo.
the affections of the French peopl
have made him invaluable to his gov
eminent.
Joseph Jacques Joffre is the onl,
living marshal of France. He wa
commander in chief Of the French ar
my in the trying days of the fall o
1914 when the German war machin
was relentlessly smashing its wa,
through Belgium and Northerl
France. Historians and strategist
alike agree that the %generalship o
Joffre saved France and perhaps tn
allied cause when he rolled back tn
Teutons at the battle of the Marine
Since that time he has been regarde'
as n Of the foremost military lead
ers Of the world. He is now militar,
adviser to the French government.
Vice-Admiral P. l.. Chocheprat !
the ranking naval officer Of Franc
and one of the highest authorities Of
submarine warfare. He also is ratet
as one Of the greatest experts on nava
construction and ordnance.
Marquis Pierre Chambrun is a great
grandson Of Lafayette. He is Al
artillery officer and played a con
spicious part in the early operation
of the war. The Marquis de Cham
brun married Miss Clara Longworth
sister of Congressman Nicholas Long
worth of Ohio. He formerly was
member Of the French Chamber o
Deputies and is a patron Of agricult
ure, having given thousands of dollar
as prizes to French farmers.
Emile H~ovelaque is inspector gen