Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-17
FRENCH OFFICERS WERE
 NEW LONDON VISITORS
Saw Big French Model Gun in Tour
 of Lapointe Plant.

Capt. Louis Girad and his officers and men from the French transport Kouang-Si, who were the guests of J. N. Lapointe and of the New Lon- don Chamber of Commerce Saturday and Sunday, left New London Sunday afternoon for New York, after de- lightful visit to New London during which every possible effort was made to entertain them.
 After luncheon at the Crocker house, J. N. Lapointe had four auto mobiles decorated with American and Frencs flags to take the party on a tour of the city. The first car con and two American bugIers. Second car contained the driver, one French sailor. Captain Girard, First Lieuten- ant Treal, Chief Engineer De Mari and J. N Lapointe. The third car contain ed the driver, one French sailor and the rest of the officers. and the fourth car the rest of the sailors.
 The party went to Ocean Beach and on the way back stopped to visit Battery E at the Palmer place where the guests then saw American sol diers being taught to speak French.
 The party was then taken to the plant of the New London Ship and Engine Co.,, where in the absence of Henry L. Bond, Lieut.. H. H. Bradford received them, having the ship and engine company contabulary drawn up in battalion formation with full band. The visitors were greatly surprised to learn that such well drilled troops were workmen and not of the regular army they at first thought. MT. Lapoint explained that at the pres ent time there are in the state of Con- necticut nearly 10000 men being pre- pared in a similar manner.
 The party was taken on a tour through the shops and the visitors were very much impressed with the methods by which the Ship and En- zine Co. work is turned out.
 Then the party went to the plant of the J. N. Lapointe Go. where the big French model gun was on exhi- taken grouped around the gun.
 The complimentary dinner, given by the Chamber of Commerce to Capt. Louis Girard, officers and gun crew of the French transport Kouang-Si, in the MOhecan Saturday evening was well attended by many prominent New Londoners desiring to welcome to this city the visitors from France. tempting menu was provided in the Dutch room of the hotel and an or chestra furnished music during the courst of the dinner.
 President A. T. Miner of the Cham Der of Commerce presided as toast master. In his introduction he gave credit to J. N. Lapointe for bringing the distinguished visitors to New Lon don. Before calling upon the speak CTS he asked for three cheers for France and her army and navy. which were heartily given.
 Postmaster B. F. Mahan was the first speaker introduced, the toast master saying that he was particu- larly well qualified to welcome the guests, having served as mayor, state senator and member of congress. Postmaster Mahan said he regretted the absence from the city of Mayor Rogers, who he knew would have fredom of the city to the visitors
 He lauded the French nation and her brave efforts in the present great struggle and expressed the hope that when the war was over New London would have occasion to welcome Cap tain Girard as commander of one of
 the big French liners using the state pier.
 States Attorney H. A Hull said he could see from the sitting together of French officers and men at the dining table that the democracy of France
 was the sa:ne as the remocracy of the United States. Americans should
 learn to speak French. The people of
 the world will be welded together when they learn a common language. He felt like apologfzing to the guests at his inability to speak their tongue. In future French would be heard in our streets so well would the 1an- guage be known. It was not battle ships the submarines were after. but men and materials of war There were present men who had been
 plunged suddenly into the ocean through the action of a German tor pedo. He could appreciate the dan ger of the mission these men were on in transporting munitions. If America had not entered the contest, the democracies of the world would have been destroyed. He could i'm agine the joy of the Frenchmen in the trenches when they heard that the United States had decided to take part in the war on the side of the allies. Let us keep our pledge, said the speaker. to fight this issue out for the peoples of the world, not for any selfish interest. Twelve million men in Germany and Austria will not lay down their arms just because we had frowned. Human liberty never was won without the shedding of blood. Eternal vigilance was not the price of liberty. Our men, our lives and our wealth must all be used to accomplish victory for the cause we have embarked upon.
 Rev. J. Beveridge Lee expressed himself when he said that things we feel deepest are most difficult of ex- pression. Many had believed that France had become a decedent nation The results of the great war had proven this a wrong impression. It was good to- know it had proven that