New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-03
France Seeks
Only Justice,
Says Viviani
Envoy Defines Purpose OF
His Mission at Luncheon
Given to Him at Plaza
by the French Alliance
German Tactics Attacked
Propaganda Continued as
They Evadc Payment Of
Preparations, He Charges

Rene Viviani, envoy extraordinary
to this country from France. speaking
for the first time in New York
on his present trip, at the Ho-
tel Plaza yesterday, clarified the pur-
pose Of his mission by declaring
that he came IA a pilgrim to plead the
cause Of France for justice.
There is no enigma about my mis-
sion,' said the distinguished French
man. ''y am here simply to appeal to
Justice and humanity. To-day with JOY
| read in your newspapers what your
Admin straticn had to say about Ger
many's obligations and moral rcspon-
sihilites. This news will cross the
Atlantic to comfort our peasants in the
devastated regions. France will suffer
If the Germans fail to meet Che dc
mands FOR rcparations."
The former Premier. who hurried to
Washington for conferences with Pres
idept Harding and Secretary OF State
Hughes shortly after his arrival sew
cral days ago, came back to New York
yesterday to be the guest of honor at
n luncheon rendered by the Federation
Of the French Alliance Of the United
States and Canada. He returned to
Washington almost INN ediatcly after
the luncheon.
Preparations World Issue
With all cloquencc which several
and caused prolonged applause, Viviani
pleaded that the German rcparations
situation was more than a Franco Ger
man question while Germany continued
a campaign of calumny and efforts to
cyade her OBLIGATIONS
1--WE want a general peace. We want
q reconciliation of all the peoples. We
want to forget the hardships OF war
and We want the affection of home and
families, but there is in the heart Of
France a wound like an open cancer"
he said. after two years and half
Of peace France has received nothing.
The people are still living in their
ruined homes. To the American people
it is simple question. We ask only
justice. The world cannot have its
stable equilibrium while there is a
broken-down France
Celebrating his appeal for a square
deal for his country NJ. Viviani said
that the German soldier returned to
his land to find his tools and his in
dustry intact. More than $4,000
homes were destroyed in France, he
added and while in those last few
weeks of war, whcr the Germans were
on their knees preparing TO beg for an
armisticc, they maliciously destroyed
factories and industries without any
excuse Of war, but for the sole purpose
of supprcssing foreign competition in
trade after the war.
ut was done wartonly to prevent
Frances reconstruction" said Vivian,
"and to-day you hear calumnies about
France, while Germany seeks to evade
just payment.
"Do not believe the calumnics about
France" he asked. "Defend us; pro
tect up against this obnoxious
propaganda.
Look at France in 1870, the victim
Of German calumnies then. Look at
her to-day, still marching on toward
her 1,c destiny. France asked nothing
When she puts her signature on a
treaty she gives the blood of her sons
10 keep the oath. She gives the gold
Of her sons to pay her obligations. We
appeal for justice and humanity from
the whole world. France is looking to-
ward the sky.
What do we ask; not even the war
expenses of 1871, when we were de-
feated., We ask 1000, 100000 francs a
year to pay the pensions for the
widows and children Of our dead and
.gions.'
The first war Premier Of France. un-
der whom Ambassador Jules Jusserand
served in Washington during the most
trying days of the struggle, took the
occasion of Yesterdays speech to praise
the aged diplomat for finding his way
"to The heart Of the American people
and having established in their minds
an appreciation of the ideals of
France" He likewise paid his compli
ments to former Ambassador James w.
Gerard for his kind treatment of
French prisoners in Germany and for
making known the attitude of the
United States toward that country.
Notable Guests Hear Envoy
1t was a mixed Franco American au-
dlcnce that heard the ex-Premier. Back
Of the speakers table were draped
huge French and American flags.
Among those sitting with NJ. Viviani
were Ambassador Jules Jusserand. "
Pavey, general vjce-presidcnt Of the
ALLIANCE; Henry w. Taft, former Attor-
ney General George w. Wickersham.
Henry White, former American Ambos,
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