Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-25
GEN. J0FFRE AND EX-
PREMIER VIVIANI
IN CAPITAL
TRECOLORS WAIVED
FLAGS OF ALLIES FLOAT OVER
PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS IN WASH.
INGTON-MILiTARY GUARD Es.
CORTS VISITORS.
By GEORGE r. HOLMES
international News Service, Staif
Correspondent.

Correspondent
Washington, April 25-Oficial
Washington gave itself unreserye rs
today to the pleasurable task of well
coming the French war commissioners
headed by General Joffre and former
Premier Viviani, who came to Ameri
ca to cement plans for close co-opera.
tion in the crushing of Prussian auto
cracy
! The visitors reached Washington at
1890 o'clock, coming up the Chesa
peake in President Wilson's own
yacht, the Mayfiower Gathered to
meet them at the Navy Yard were
Secretary of State Lansing, Counsellor
Polk and other officials of the state
department, Col. Narts, side to Presl
dent Wilson, Major Ulysses s. Grant.
of U. S, A., and Lieut. A. r. Carter
of the Navy. Another party of Amer
lean officials announced the visitors
on their journey from the seacoast.
/ In it were Ambassador Jusserand,
Major General Hugh l.. Scott Chief of
Staff; Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Roosevelt and other officers OF the
army and navy.
Washington has put itself In shape
to greet the visitors. From many
buildings, public and private, floats the
French tri color. A circutous route
will be taken to the White Mansion,
where the commissioners were housed.
and Penna avenue was one long ova-
tion. Two troops of the second United
States cavalry formed an escort Of
honor on the trip.
The arrival of the French Commits
tho real work connected with their
visit General Jeffree and NJ Viviani
will be presented to President Wilson
at the White House as soon as possible
probably late this afternoon Then by
tomorrow they can take up in earn
est plans for bringing into still closer
harmony the efforts and ideals of the
two great republics.
Officials today expressed general
satisfaction when it became known
that the French commissioners are
coming with practically unlimited pow
ers to reach agreements with the
United States. Nothing will have to
be put to the government in Paris be-
fore it can be fully agreed to. This
will greatly simplify the work OF the
conferences, as the British commits
sion, already here has been clothed
with similar powers
Draft Bill 1as Good Chance.
Washington, April 25- -Congression.
al oratory on the army conscription
bill reached Flood tide today Lead
ers in both Senate and House continue
optimistic about prospects Of support
for the bill as favored by President
Wilson safe majority. In the Senate
leaders fighting for the Presidents
plan Of selective conscription as
against the volunteer principle have
]
success
Representative Kahn ranking Re
publican on the house militar affair
committee and leader at the south en-
of the capitol in the fight for conscrip
tion today declared sentiment among
house members is still on the increase
in favor of the Presidents bill 1t is
admitted that Speaker Clark, who to.
day was to speak against the Presi-
dents plan and in favor Of the Dent
volunteer-conscription system will car.
ry some "On the fence votes with
him.
Battle on Price Fixing.
Washington, u G., April % When
= it comes to food price fixing as sug.
gested by the administration to con.
serve supplies during the war period
! Congress viii be looked in "the hard
est fought battle Of the war;" unless
; present signs are wrong
A clear ont lineup between the men,
bers from rural communities and men,
bers from the large cities is rapidly
developing II is merely an outcrop.
ping of the old feud between city and
country. between farmer folk
: and city folk, producer and consumer.
The signs have begun to show them
= selves in the hearings before the SEN
! ate agriculture committee on the var
ious plans for food conservation and
production
Food the important Issue.
Washington. April 25--food and
, then more food and trained men by
/ the hundred thousand for transport