Omaha daily bee., 1917-04-25
AND HIS
PARTY ARRIVE IN
CAPITAL AT NOON
Commission, Which is Con-
voyed by Warship, is Met
Off Coast of America
by Destroyers.
HEADED BY M. VIVIANI
Second Member Is Former
Marshal, Who Will Advise
Officials of Big Problems.
GRANDSON OF LAFAYETTE

Washington, April 24.-The French
commission will arrive in Washington
at noon tomorrow on board the pres-
dental yacht Mayhower from Hamp-
ton Roads.
This communication was author
lied tonight by the government.
The commission, which includes
Marshal Joffre and former Premier
NiViani, arrived early this morning on
board a speedy steamship OF the
French line, which was conveyed
across the Atlantic.
The vessels were met off the coast
by American torpedo boat destroyers
and escorted into port.
The naval and military attaches of
the French embassy at Washington
and American naval and militaryNof-
fccrs, together with representative
of the State department, Immediately
boarded the French vessel and ex-
tended welcome to American
shores.
Later. the State department issued,
this further statement.
The Department of State is ad-
vised that the French mission will
reach Washington tomorrow morn
ing. The precise time and place OF
arrival will be announced later"
Viviana Heads Party.
At the head OF the mission is Rene
Viviana, minister of justice and vice
president of the council of ministers,
who embodics the highest type of
French democracy. He is a progress
sive in every sense, belonging to the
independent socialist party, which in
cludes such men as Painleve, BRAND
and Millerand. AS minister of labor
in the Clemenceau cabinet he passed
the workers pension law. through Par
lament.
Other members of the party are:
Marshal Joseph Jacques Cesaire Jof-
ire, commandment chief of the French
armies until last December, now mill
tary adviser OF the government; Vice
Admiral P. L. A. Chocheprat, dean of
French admirals and an expert on sub
marine problems; Marquis Pierre de
Chambrun, member of the Chamber
of Deputies and student of interna-
tional affairs; NJ. Simon, inspector of
finance; NJ. Hovelacque, Inspector
general OF public instruction, and Sur
geon Major Dreyfus.
-Viviani was born at Sidi- Bel-Abbes,
in Algeria, November 8, 1862, and was
admitted to practice law before the
court OF appeals at Paris in 1887. His
socialistic tendencies. early manifested
themselves and he became counsel of
the railway workmen and employees.
Elected TO the Chamber of Deputies
in 1898 and again in l898 and re-
elected in 1906, he has maintained his
membership ever since.
On June ID, 1914 Niviani succeeded
Castor Roumerque as president OF
the council OF ministers and minister
of foreign affairs. In that dual capac.
ity he accompanied President Poin.
care on special occasion to Russia
and only four days after their return
to Paris war was declared on France
by Germany. 1t was primarily be-
cause Niviana was, a member of Pres
ldent Poincare's cabinet when the wa,
broke out that he has been retained
The French people felt that to permit
him to retire might be construed a:
evidence of their disapproval OF
Frances entry into the war. Besides,
there was the immense personal pop.
ularity of the man himself.
Joffre's Distinguished Career.
Marshal Joffre is the only man in
France since the close of the Franco
Prussian war in 1870 who has been
authorized to bear the illustrious titls
OF marshal OF France, and this distinc-
ton was conferred on him by unani-
nous action OF the French chamber
in recognition OF his splendid services
as military leader in what probably
was the most critical moment in
French history. His officers and SOL
dlers, however, scarcely know him BY
his distinguished title: to them he has
been "Our Joffre" or Grandpa" since
he led them to victory on the Marine
and finally turned the tide of German
INVASION.
Jotfre was COMMUNICATIVE chief of
the French army at the beginning of
the war and he remained in that honor
until December last, when he gave
place to General Nivelle, to become
marshal and military adviser of the
Will Aid U. S. War Department.
In responding to the call of active
duty his services are placed at the
disposal OF the American people,
whom he comes TO advise in the best
way of organizing. disciplining.
equipping and perhaps transporting
to Europe the greatest army which
the country has ever called into
being. .."
The marshal was born in 1852 at
Rivesaltes in the Pyrennes OF parents
in the middle station OF life. At II