The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-27
HERO on THE MARINE
GUEST 1T WHITE HOUSE

Washington. Arm 26-Gencrat
Joffre. hero Of the Marine, became the
nero Of the White House today.
When the French commission
headed 10y NJ. Niviani. was formally
presented to president wilson in the
historic blue room shortly before noon,
Enthusiasm in official circles and
among the public for la Belle
France" reached it's loftiest Stage.
The highest officers Of the American
army and nay stooj AT salute as the
visiting comra>es strobe into the main
entrance of the presidents mansion.
State officials bowed, the president
himself smiled "A pleased sort of greet
ng and extended both his hands.
General Joffre was the center Of
attention. Policemen guarding the
WHIT House. door men at the en-
trance. the ushers, everyone. made
both hands red from theoretically
slapping them together In applause Of
he French military leader. Even the
servants dropped their work and
Joined in the greeting of the idol of
all H'ranCe~~and of all America,
Down in the basement of the White
House IN view of the main entrance,
"A black haired. smiling little woman
Of about twenty-five years of age, put
both hands to her lips, as General
Joffre walked into the White House,
and threw HIM kiss after kiss,
"Five Monsieur Lc General she
shouted several times. La Belle
France lie General
She was a French girl "a cook, who
has been preparing dainty food for
President Wilson = family ever since
ne first entered the White House.
General Joffre glanced toward her.
as he recognized the native French
tongue and raised ms cap
The French cummi ssioners drove
10 the White House through an ave-
nue. OF enthusiasm on each side Of
them stood hundreds Of enthusiasts
all cheering. ali smiling. and all shout
ing applause for The heroes of
France"
No, Greeted A. Foreigners.
Th@ Frenchnen were not greeted as
foreigne4s They were not greeted as
Frenchmen-@~th were greeted and
appiauded and hopored IL every heart
present az representing something
greater than nalion--thcy were
greeted men leading the fight Of
the world for the preservation of all
that Is best From France they came,
OF course and Americas century-old
friendship and devotion for France
was emphasized by everyone from
President Wilson down
The commissioners left their tenn
porary home here shortly after 10
O'clock. Through streets that were,
In spirit. half French and half Amefi-
can. past buildings as heavily draped
with the fri-color as with the Union
Jack. they rode 10 the state. war
and navy building. There they we're
received by Secretary of State Lansing
and retnne of state. war and navy
department officials
After d short chat with Secretary
Lansing. he led them TO tbs White
House. The American officials lined
uD on either side of the entrance, the
visitors walking between them into
the Whit House
President Wilson met them al the
entrance. They were then escorted
into the blue room for their FIRST
formal presentation To the American
president
Some difficulty as 20 conversation
arose there. as President Wilson's abil-
ity To speak French has suffered
through disuse; and the French min
lsfers could speak English only bro
Seniy. An Interpreter Was necessary.
The Frenchnan chatted with
\ ~ - w'ison for tsen minutes.