New-York tribune., 1918-02-23

Ministers Pledge
Good Will to u. S.
Greetings Exchanged With
President During Lunch
con at Paris
By BRIGGS

PARlS, Feb. % THE ministers Of
the South and Central American rcpub-
lies had luncheon with William G.
Sharp, the American Ambassador, at
the embassy to-day, in accordance with
the long established custom of cele-
brating Washington's Birthday in this
manner. All the Latin American re-
pubics were represented. Mr.. Sharp
read to the guests the following mes
sage from President Wilson:
please convey to your guests as
sembled on The twenty-second my
warmest greetings and my wish that
might be present to enjoy with you
and them the sense of comradeship
community of interests and devotion to
common purposes and ideals which is
daily becoming stronger between the
republics of America.
Zone of the happiest circumstances
of the time is that Washington's Birth
day has become an appropriate am
niversary upon which to celebrate and
renew the principles of liberty. JUS
tlcc and humanity, which must be
made the principles Of the world"
The ministers then adopted the fol-
lowing resolution. which was sent to
President Wilson:
the American republics, assembled in
the embassy OF the United States on
Washington's Birthday, are happy to
seize this opportunity Of expressing
to his eXcellency, President Wilson.
their most respectful homage and their
wishes for the greatness and glory OF
the American nation. They thank
President Wilson for the message he
was good enough to address to them
at the very moment they we're receiv-
ing the gracious hospitality of Am
bassador Sharp
Ambassador Sharp warned Frapce
against "insidious propaganda" The
United States, he said. has entered the
war not to satisfy selfish motives, but
for vindication Of the high and lofty
principles OF liberty and right This
was the only incentive to Americas
entrance into the war, he said
Americas steadfast alliance with her
belligerents, her similarity of war
aims and her una,terable decision to
continue the wan to a victorious CON
clusion We're .he main topics of
speeches delivered al a luncheon given
at the American Club to- day. Laurence
y Benst presided. Gabriel Guisthau.
former minister IN the BRAND Cabinet
and representative of the ST Nazare
District in the French Chamber of
Deputies. was the principal speaker
lie compared President Wilson with
Washington. and said Washington's
ideals were similar TO those OF Nh
Wilson,
Standing upon the steps of the eoues-
tr!an statue Of Washington in the Place
d'iena, Stephen richon, Foreign Min
lister Of France. made an address to =
great 'hrong to-day. Speaking in ;he
name OF the French governments, he
said:
What we slorify Al .he foos Of hi.
statue IS Tot only i'tc commandel. n
cnief of the :roops thai won inGepen-
dence Tor America. hut the personiilca-
uon o. the people without whom In the
terrible hours II which We aye living
humanity would be on me point or
perishing'
DO YOU not ind in Washing,on's
words the very foundations OF the idea
that inspires the messages o. Presi-
dent ilson' From Washington's
work therc was derived something
more than the creation OF = YeDuolic'
Every day. stronger and stronger and
more powerful, she is called upon 20
group around her all the nations Of
the New World. She is destined bv
fertility. example. genius ard expan-
sion TO mark indelbly with her I'M
pr!at the future organization OF The
Old World. 1t is not We. gentlemen.
Who shall ever have % complain Of
the support which cones 20 as from
America and whieil raises an ;nsur-
mountabla barrier to he designs Of
conquest and oppression with which
All people are mcnaced. She IS onc
more guarantee Of The aspirations OF
which France has been for ion~ 1ime
the symbol in the eyes Of the free
nations Of Europe"