Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-26
KID 4 = . ~ n ~ - 10
HEARTS AT
The CAPITAL
men Eager to Meet
he Famous Hero of
the Marne
CHEST HONORS
AID TO ALL VISITORS
my and Navy Officers Es-
curt Them to Meeting
With President
INFERRED ON THE WAY
White House, Capitol and De-
9partment Buildings Scenes of
Enthusiastic Greeting
&GHEST HONORS.
.ID TO ALL VISITORS
sHEERED ON THE WAY
WASHINGTON. April s6.

3tl$America's time -honored and deep-rootcd
Il HIriendship for France was driven home and
&mpha sized today by Government officials
UXtom President Wilson down
I'M Through streets brilliant with the dis
S1ay Of the French tricolor the French war
4ommission drove to the White House.
!kHHere its members were cordially received
14y President Wilson in the famous Blue
<<Room Every honor that is possible to
E&pay distinguished visitors was heaped ON
F1farshal Joffre. the beloved hero of the
v 1larne. and ex-Premier Vivian as heads
IA of the commission.
M High officials of the army and navy. re-
E6piendent in dress uniforms, formed n lane
fthrough which the visitors entered the
<{White House. The trcolor everywhere was
fA evidence. The visitors every appear
E 4uce was signal for cheering.
Eva The visitors chatted with the President
Il INFORMALLY for quarter of an hour. An
s1nterpreter was necessary part of. the time,
fAa President wilson's French has suffered
Il #&hrough dsuse and neither Marshal Joffre
X nor NJ, Viviani speaks English with fluency.
't-M Hovelacque, head of Frances educa-
5{jonal system, engineered the conversation
<<4asily.
The aged "pere" Joffre was the central
f'UEure of the party. The squat brilliantly
Il uniformed figure, was chcered again and
Il 4gain as he made his way from the White
3 House to the office Of Secretary of War
X Baker
x in the corridors of the War Department
81 <ieperal Joffre stopped to chat a while with
EAssistant Secretary OF State Adec whom
~ has long known Several hundred women
\and girl clerks employed i'm the various
y Stpartments swept down on the pair and
E n an instant the gallant old soldier was
\ shaking hands and bowling right and left.
He could not get away. The women
81 Memned him In and demanded that he
a shake hands. And he did. alternately beam
Il ing and wiping away the moisture in his
\ Nva tFith Il
~ xfhat he finally broke away from them
S The commissioners called first on Secre-
I&r4ry of State Lansing. lie took them across
I*&he street to the White House and made
y ne formal presentation to the President
~ z&H0ikowing their interview at the White
&3ibuse. NJ. Viviani left for the Capitol. ac-
<&9mpanied by his aids, where he met Vice
Hresident Marshall. General Joffre re-
Nfned 10 the War Department for con-
Iersaton with Secretary Baker while Vice
komiral Chocheprat conferred with Secre.
eAry Of the Navy Daniels.
ACTIVE DESPITE YEARS
& An amusing incident occurred as General
5o1Rre left the White House and started
4<or Secretary OF War Bakers office The
oteps leading up to the great State. War
Ind Navy Building are many and steep
Nheered by throng of admirers. the stern
void race relaxed and, placing his foot on
X me bottom step, he shot up the flight TAX
Ling them two at time despite his more
khan three score -and-ten years. The cheer
k{%ug turned into enthusiastic laughter At
&t<ne top the General turned on his heel. gave
mem military salute and disappeared into
<<{he building.
<Xf M Viviani, accompanied bv MARQUIS
<<amhrun and NJ. Hovelacque, made their
Arief formal call upon Vice Presideu1 Mar-
e5asu IN his office at the Capitol just before
EAthe Senate went into session Their visit
fl1pSted only a few minutes and consisted
n
tiNords of cordial greeting.
ME- Vice President Marshall invited them to
cpme back and bring with them Marshal
I Jofre
&7The whole Senate will be glad to meet
X Nman who can fight as he cam said the
1fXlce President in extending the invitation
I<<s' 'Ihe vice President extended to the COM
Nl1lesion all the courtesies of the Senate in
Hftudtng the privilege of seats on the floor
4pring debate. The commission promised
EfQ attend a session of the Senate.
xE The day will be concluded by a dinner to
f3he visiting Frenchmen by President Will
&pop at the White House tonight
4lz The real work of the commission-bring-
x4g into full cooperation the energies of
[4f1nce and America and financial assist
xnce from us-will start shortly Already
S1Hxormal conferences between naval, mill
fefy and financial experts have been held.
&Hnd once the commission actually gets down
I ~ the business which brought it here little
|t<tt'tI VIII pe ipst III reaching agreements.
III The French commissioners may visit
t3ther American cities before returning
horne. IL Is being considered now AL
@feady many requests have reached OFF,
'ciais from the principal cities of the coun-
iifry Tor permission to entertain the dis
tlnguished guests. The bond of affection be-
Ntwecn America and France is so great and
fme sympathy for her cause so deep rooted
1{nat American cities want TO cement it still
more by material proof.
~ Marshal Joffre has been very deeply
prched, members OF his party said today
the warmth of his welcome in Wash
non. He had expected to be welcomed
4iy, but the greeting far exceeded his
pectntions. The school children, who lined
streets and gathered before the em-
My. shouting his name brought tears 10
I)1 eyes several times,
France will never forget the greeting
}1lch her emissaries received in washing
~ n the hour Of her trial" said one OF
~ party today lie spoke for the entire
pnminsion.,