Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-04-08
v|v|AN| DENIES
FRENCH CLAIMS
EXAGGERATED
Reiterates Determina-
ton Berlin Must Pay
Debts, in N. Y. Speech.
Referring to Lafayette,
He Says, u. S. Repaid
Services Hundredfold.

New York, April Frances deter
mination that Germany shall pay her
debts was given impressive expression
by Rene Viviani envoy extraordinary
to the United States, in another day
Of crowded activity in New York.
Addressing the chamber of COM
merce. the former premier of France
defended his country's policy in de-
manding war reparations from Ger
many. Thursday night at dinner given
by the American Committee for De-
vastated France, he related eloqucntly
the gratitude of his countrymen for
Americas aid in the war and in recon-
struction. He also attended an official
reception at City hall where greetings
were exchanged with Mayor Hylan.
FIouts Germans Ability. =
Although NJ Viviani is unable to
speak English, his addresses in his
mother tongue never failed to move
his audience by their apparent sincerity
and strength of appeal Several times
in his address before a gathering of
business men at the chamber of COM
merce, the audience rose to its feet in
applause. He is considered one of the
greatest orators of the French nation.
In his address the former premier
flouted the idea that Germany is I'M
able to pay what is demanded of her.
'Some have said that the claims of
Franco are exaggerated, he said. 1T
is lie."
He agreed that he had just received
word from his government that Ger
many proposes to pay her war debts
from supplementary profits made
from her foreign trade"
I'm order for her to do this" he
declared. "she will need to absorb 40
per cent of the worlds trade, which
would mean that the countries which
control the commerce of the world
would be reduced to misery"
Compares 1917 Visit.
In his address at his reception by
Mayor Hylan. NJ. Viviani compared
Thursdays visit with that of 1917.
when he and Marshal Joffre were
swamped by tremendous wave of
wonderful sympathetic humanity"
"Now that the war is over and we
have won,' he said, 'I come here as
a pilgrim of France to tell the Amer
ican people Of Frances love and graft
tude."
Looking at life sized picture of La
Fayette ON the wall of the reception
room. NJ Viviani referred to his work
in aiding in the American revolution,
and added:
American has returned his services
to us hundred fold"
"But," he continued, "our present re-
lations are not those of creditor and
debtor. but those of people saturated
with the same ideals. Future genera
tions Of France always will be CRATE
full and always will remember what
America did"
Mayor Greets Diplomat.
In his address of greeting to the
distinguished Frenchman, Mayor Hy-
land recalled that Wednesday was the
fourth anniversary Of Americas en-
trance into the war, "and it brings
afresh to our minds the kinship Of the
French and American nations
After the exchange of greetings NJ.
Viviani told the mayor he had brought
as token from the French govern
ment Sevres vase. which would be
presented to the city in few days.
Governor Miller, it was announced,
Thursday night, has accepted the in
yitation to preside at meeting in
Carnegie hall next Monday night in
NJ. Vivianis honor, at which he will
present the state flag Of New York to
the distinguished visitor.
Martin w. Littleton, speaking at
the dinner Thursday night, said that
while we have paused in front of OBJ
legations concealed in the possibilities !!
of covenant, we have not turned our
backs upon the lofty aim and superb |
spirit which the covenant tries to ex-
nrpss"