The New York herald., 1921-03-25
VIVIANI TO ASSUME
ROLE OF LISTENER
Position Of Former Premier
Outlined by His Advance
Representative.
Special Despatch 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., March "a.

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. O., March -.
Former Premier Rene Viviani OF
France is coming to the United states
In the capacity OF a listener and
will not be the bearer Of any concrete
proposals to the American Government.
TINS explanation OF the purpose Or
NJ. v1viani's visit was made In WASH
ington to-day by DR.. Marcel Knecht'
arrived here as the personal representa-
tive of the distinguished French visitor
DR.. Knecht will act as interpreter ana
general secretary for NJ. Viviam dur
ing HIS stay in this country
This explanation is the first official
one 10 be made and Is assumed to
represent the Interpretation which the
French Government wishes to be placed
on the visit.
Ii is not expected however. that NJ.
Viviani will consume something ike
three weeks in mere visit of courtesy.
The explanation that is given Is SUD-
ject 10 wide Interpretation and it IS
assumed that NJ. Viyiani comes to find
out in personal way just what the
American situation really is. Hc comes
as an "envoy Extraordinary" and as
such will not outrank Ambassador
Jusserand. However. he will have the
rank of ambassador" at any functions
in which he may appear.
Harding to Give Dinner.
This official status does not call for
exceptional honors In receiving him. and
it Is not expected the State
Department will send a representative
IL New York to welcome him. This will
be accomplished by M. Jusserand. who
will accompany M. Viviani at once to
1t is expected that NJ. Viviani will be
presented on the day after his arrival to
President Harding, and the tentative
date OF April has already been fixed
for White House dinner to be given
by President Harding in NJ. Niviani's
honor.
Another dinner will be given him by
Senator Medlll Mccormick, who was NJ.
Vivianis guest in Paris recently when
Senator Mccormick was paying an un-
official visit to Europe.
While in the United States NJ. Viviani
may visit other places in the country,
having received many invitations. He
will not undertake to speak for France
in an official way, nor will there be any
propaganda connected with his visit
the viewpoints Of France on
affairs. Concerning in
ternal matters in France he will feel free
to speak as he pleases.
M. Viviani is lawyer and is looking
forward TO q visit with Secretary of
State Hughes with great interest and
meeting other distinguished
lawyers while in America.
The role OF listener which VI. Viviani
has assumed is the natural one. it is
believed here, for a mission which aims
TO open the way for more definite un-
II is regarded by Senate
leaders who are watching the situation
closely as the first step in bringing
about a highly desirable result
May Explain French Desires.
As a listener NJ. viyiani win be in
position to receive information without
being compelled to respond
IN kind. His visit il confidently ex-
pected, however. TO represent to this
Government the things which France
wants and also the things which France
is willing to give III the hope of bring
Ing about a more complete understand
ing between the two countries. II also
is assured that in this visit NJ. viviani
will act as advance agent for the allied
Powers generally.
DR.. Krsecht viii visit the State De-
partment tomorrow morning to arrange
the detailed plans for the reception to
be accorded the former French Premier.
II has already been decided to give a
dinner n NJ. Nivianrs honor at the
French Embassy on the evening of
March 81. On April NJ Viviani will
attend a reception in his honor given by
the Alliance Franchise at New York.
He viii Ceturn to Washington but will
be in New York again on April to
attend luncheon given by the French
Chamber Of Commerce of New York
and in the evening will attend a dinner
given by the Society to Aid Devastated
France. of which Miss Anne Morgan Is