The Washington herald., 1917-05-17
FRENCH MISSION
THANKS AMERICA
FOR CLAD HAND
ENJOYS, IT Farewell Message,
Express Appreciation Of
Reception.
WILL CUT VISIT SHORT
Special Mention Made of Generous
Contributions Toward Fund for
frances War Orphans.

A. farewell message to the people Of
America from the friendly mission Of the
sister republic, France, soon to depart
for home, was given out late yesterday
afternoon.
Pressing demands for their presence in
France have caused NJ. Viviani, former
Premier OF France, and Marsh Joffre
to cut short their visit The date of
their departure has not yet beer settled.
Their message yesterday is &C Iched in
warm words Of appreciation for the re-
ception they received here. within the
borders Of the newest ally.
The whole mission was deeply graft
fed by the reception it met with every
where" 1t says, "and not only gratifed
but surprised at the universal enthusi-
asm shown. The trip was not only a
most pleasant one, but excited an in
tense interest in all the members OF the
party and increased their great regret
in being unable to extend their journey
farther.
The welcome was everywhere most
enthusiastic yet varied according to the
different places through which We passed,
and we shall return with feeling that
despite the variety Of local conditions
that we encountered, the sentiment was
everywhere unanimous. even IL its mani
tGstatiOns were different.
Regrets Expressed.
Among many regrets there is one the
mission particularly wishes to express,
and that is. that in spite of it's keen de-
sire to do 50. It was utterly unable to
visit New Orleans. Richmond. and a few
n the Southern States. II had intended
'o do 50. but urgent business recalled 1t
N FN-ae hfr0oFOrN nd If has had fn dauOfp
the whole OF its time to a discussion OF
'''C different problems presented to it,
TNo mission hopes that all the towns
which so kindly extended invitations to
u viii understand that only considera-
ti0.s Of an imperious nature could have
prevented II from visiting them. 1t un-
fortunately had to sacrifice its desires to
the common cause and trusts that the
same sacrifices will be cheerfully accept
ed by all those who expected its visit
and whom it has, to its great regret, dis
appointed.
The reception everywhere accorded
the mission in the Middle West was be-
vocd words fervent and toucned us all
deeply. II was clear even to a super
fetal observer that everywhere the citi-
zens Of the different towns it passed
through were whole-heartedly in sympa-
thy with the mission and all united in
the common cause. 1t would be in
yidious to pick out any special region or
town as having manifested its feeling in
a more charming way than any other,
Tor everywhere from Washington to Chi
c. 90, from Kansas City and st. Louis to
S ringheId and Columbus, from Column
to Indianapolis, from Philadelphia
aid New York to Boston and Baltimore,
every kind Of ingenious manifestation Of
good will was showered upon the mission.
The memory that the mission will take
away Of its hurried trip through too
small a part of the United States will
glow in the recollection of all.
Magnificent Welcome.
France already knows what a magni-
ficent welcome was accorded US every
where. but We hope on our return to
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.