The New York herald., 1921-04-12
CITY PAYS TRIBUTE
TO RENE VIVIANI
Distinguished Citizens At
tend Carnegie Hall DEM
OnstratiOn.
OVATION FOR ENVOY
Gov. Miller and Frederic
r. Coudert Are Among
the Speakers.
= OFFICERS DECORATED
French Legion Honor for
Four; Academy Palm for
Lieut. Col. Hinton.
OFFICERS DECORATED

New York paid enthusiastic tribute
yesterday to Rene viviani. French En-
voy Extraordinary. who came here seek
ing Americas support for his country's
reparation claims against Germany.
1t was Viviani day in New York. The
programme began with formal recep-
tion in honor of the distinguished French
statesman by Gov Nathan l.. Miller. 1t
included a review CT four provisional
units of the Twenty-seventh New York
Division. the investiture of five New
York officers with French decorations,
and concluded last night with a demon
stration at Carnegie Hall which could
have left no doubt in NJ. Vivianis mind
where New York stands In the matter
Of Germany's claims.
Shouts OF "Vive la France rang
through Carnegie Hall when NJ. Viviani
finished his speech, and the band of the
Ninth Coast Defence Command of the
New York National Guard had to play
LA Marseillaise" twice before Gov.
Miller was able to introduce the next
speaker
The audience, which filled every seat
in the auditorium. included scores Of
men of high military rank. 1t included
many as distinguished in the arts of
peace. A special section was reserved
for women nurses, relief workers, and
the like.
Come to DenOunce Treason.
The Rev. Theophile Wucher of the
Church of st. Vincent de Paul opened
the meeting with an invocation spoken
in French. He was followed by Frederic
r. Coudert, chairman of the committee
that arranged the Viviani day celebra-
ton. who introduced Gov. Miller as the
chairman of the meeting.
I'VE have come" said Mr. Coudert ito
ratify verdict Of guilty and to de-
nounce treason among us. whether that
treason comes direct from Berlin or
from the agents Of Berlin here"
Gov. Miller said NJ. Viviani has come
to discuss with our Government matters
of paramount Importance.
1T il necessary that his country
shall stand by her late associates and
we will stand by her and allow TO wedge
whatever to be driven between u.s." he
Governor said.
NJ. Viviani received tremendous ova-
tion when he arose to speak. His ad-
dress was In French, and, although ar
rangements had been made TO have it In
terpreted, the proof that big majority
of his listeners understood the trend of
his remarks, at least, caused Gov. Miller
later to announce that II would be un-
fortunate to risk spelling the speech by
Interpretation.
VI. viviani's Address.
NJ viviani sketched the history of The
relationship between the two countries.
He referred TO the French Revolution.
where he said the flag or Democracy
was first unfurled, and said that France
had made many sacrifices before the
world war; because she knew that some
time the cause of liberty and democracy
would be attacked.
Now" he continued. France is not
asking payment for that. What she
asks Is simple justice. When France
signs treaty she respects her word.
Now she demands that Germany respect
the word she has given.
France has been accused OF being
imperialistic. That is not so. How can
France be accused Of that when for
over forty years she has made every
sacrifice possible to preserve the peace
and civilization? Only a Ludendorn
could make such accusations. We ask
nothing-not even the frontiers France
had during the revolution. We ask only
Alsace-Lorraine.
But we want guarantees. because we
have a dangerous neighbor That's why
we must have guarantees. France asks