The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1917-05-03
SENATE RECEIVES
FRENCH OFFICIALS
VIVIANI AND JOFFRE ARE
ACCORDED MOST COR
DIAL WELCOME.
FORMER TALKS IN
NATIVE TOUNGE
Makes Impassioned Address on
War, Using the French Lam
guage in Talking.

Washington, May 2.--M. Viviani
and Marshal Joffre yesterday spurred
the United States Senate into greater
determination to use every legisla-
tive means in its power to help de-
feat Germany. Through multi
tude of cheering American citizens,
the French heroes entered the capi-
tol shortly after noon and received
the most enthusiastic greeting that
has ever been accorded foreigners by
the sta'd and dignified Senate.
As they entered the chamber, es-
corted by Senator'S Lodg Of Massa-
chusetts and Hitchcock of Nebraska,
From some of the galleries women
the official reception committee, from
the galleries and the Senate floor
arose cheer after cheer The gal
leries We're crowded to their utmost.
Many persons were unable to find
seats, Down in the Senate proper
practically every senator was in his
seat. Around the walls of the room
sat members of the House of Repre-
sentatives. All cheered, applauded
all paid homage to the republic across
the sea.
Members Of the Senate arose IL
their feet. Those in the gallery had
already risen, endeavoring to look
as long as possible at the French
visitors.
From some of the gelleries women
took off flowers they were wearing
and attempted to toss them down to
the visitors. Most of the flower
lodged on the ledge Of the galleries
none of them reached the men fol
whom they were intended.
For three minutes the cheering
continued No one tried to stop il
Notwithstanding ''unhending" SEN
ate rules against demonstrations from
the galleries, all reserve was swept
away while representatives of the
American people put their whole
hearts into their efforts to show their
real sentiment towards France.
NJ Viviani and Marshal Joffre
were led to Vice President MARSHALL
desk at 1882 o'clock. While TIL
cheering continued so loudly that Il
was impossible to distinguish anv
persons words, Vice President Mar
shall said:
"The Senate of the United State
has the privilege and honor today"
then he halted. The cheering sud
denly stopped.
"The Senate of the United State
has the privilege and honor today"
he continued, "of receiving and wei
coming the distinguished vice pre-
mier Of the French republic and
Marshal Joffre. 1t had the glorious
honor of receiving Lafayette and
now, nearly a century afterward, ii
has the great pleasure and honor Of
welcoming the ambassador, the min
ister Of Justice and the marshal of
France"
Again the cheering and applause
broke forth.
After a wait Of several moments
the cheering gradually subsided
Then Senator Martin Of Virginia
Democratic floor leader, rose.
Il move, Mr. President, that thu
Senate take a recess Of Is minute
to meet the distinguished visitors, =
he said.
1T is so ordered" Vice-P -Presidcf
Marshall replied. The vice-presideHl
then accompanied M. Vivani and
Marshal Joffre to the well of the
Senate, where they were presente5
to each Of the senators in turn.
/ Vice-President Marshall then in
vited M. Viviani to address the Sen
ate.
The French viee-premier took til
vice-president's stand amid ar
other outburst Of sentiment. For
five minutes he addressed the Senatc
in eloquent French. Though perhaps
all the senator's die not underetanf
his words, there was no mistaking tn
admiration with which Mr.. Vivian
was received. Applause frequentl,
interrupted the vice premier, espe.
cially wher he said Il would rot hc
ong before the men Of France and
of America would be fighting sidS
hu cl1o for dan, ncragv a