Mohave County miner., 1917-04-28

WASHlNGlONy April Zo.-COnIer-
ences between members of the French
ment officials regarding the conduct
of the war against Germany began
here today after the leading commits
sioners had paid official calls upon
President Wilson, Vice-President Mar
shall, Secretaries Lansing, Baker ami
Daniels.
Of foremost Importance was a long
talk between Marshal Joffre and men,
bers of his staff and Secretary Ba-
ker, General Scott, chief of staff, and
/ several other American army officers.
1t took place at the home of Henry
White, former American ambassador
to France, where the French visitors
are being entertained as guests of the
nation.
France is known to desire the send
ing of an American expeditionary
force to cooperate with her armies,
and Marshal Joffre came to the
United States prepared to give reas-
ons for the opinion of military ex-
perts, that the sending of such force
/ is essential.
Information regarding the meeting
between the military leaders was
withheld.
Soon after the conclusion of the con-
ference Rene Viviani, vice-premier of
France, head of the mission, made a
statement to the American press in
which he declared that the coopera-
ton of the United States in the war
would mean not only a victory for
France, which already was assured,
but victory of morality and right.
NJ. Viviani received the newspaper
correspondents in the drawing room
of the White House. When the cor
respondents entered NJ. Viviani arose
from a seat in front of an open fire,
and after shaking hands with his visi-
tors, spoke in French slowly and i'm
passionately. When he concluded, the
correspondents applauded vigorously.
NJ. Viviani bowed and then his assist
ant, Emile Hoverlauque, read to the
correspondents an English translation
of what the head of the mission had
said.
NJ. Hovelauque informed the cor
respondents that NJ. Viviani would be
willing to answer any questions they
might care to ask him. Two questions
were asked. To one NJ. Viviani re-
piled that he surely would see the
newspaper correspondents to "say
goodbye" and he might see them
again between times"
To the second question NJ. Viviani
gave his approval of a statement made !
by his assistant that no members of
the commission had been authorized to
speak for themselves or the commits !
sion; that anything regarding the in
tentions of the mission which had ap-
peared in the newspapers did not bear
the stamp of official authorization and
that, as the mission had placed itself
at the disposal of President Wilson,
any statement about the progress of
the negotiations or other matters con-
nected with the state of the mission
in this country must come from
American officials.
The mission spent a busy day with ,
a call on Secretary Lansing. To ap- /
plause from assembled officials and
plause from assembled officials and
mission and their stats filed through .
the corridors of the state department .
shortly before II o'clock. They re-
manned with Secretary Lansing five
minutes and went to the White House,
where they were received by Presi- .
dent Wilson in the Blue Room. NJ {
Viviani presented to the president
letter from President Poincaire in .
which the great friendship existing
between the two republics was en-
phasized. The president, through an
interpreter, expressed his apprecia-
ton.
When the party left the White
House, Marshal Joffre returned to the
war department to call on Secretary
Baker. Admiral Chocheprat went to
the navy department to call upon Sec
rotary Daniels, and NJ. Viviani to the
capitol to call upon Vice-President
Marshall.
Mr.. Marshall extended a tentative
invitation to the head of the mission
to appear on the floor of the senate.
1t was later indicated that NJ. Viviani
had accepted and that he probably
would go to the senate either on Sat
urday or Monday to be presented and
perhaps make some informal remarks.
In the afternoon preliminary confer