The New York herald., 1921-04-19
FRANCE NOT BEGGING
AID, SAYS VIVIANI.
Recovering and Facing Future
Courageously, Envoy Tells
Commerce Chamber.

France is facing the future cour-
ageously and all classes of her popula-
ton are working together to repair tie
damage and economic wastage wrought
by the war; so Rene Viviani. former
French Premier and special envoy OF
the French Government to the United
States. said yesterday at a luncheon
given by the American branch OF the
International Chamber OF Commerce at
rhe Bankers Club.
"Out OF every twenty factories de-
stroyed during the war we have recon
structed six" said he. "Out OF the
17oo.oo0 driven from the deva sta ted
areas 100000 have returned and are
producing. Frances economic efficiency
has revived TO :: per cent OF what It
was before the war; despite the fact we
lost 100000 soldiers ktlls6 besides our
sick and wounded, many OF whom win
be forever incapacitated FOR work"
Mr.. Viviani said he was not pleading
for Americas help as a matter OF char
ity, for although France is still stag
gerirg under the wounds she received IN
the war. she + still upstanding cour-
ageous ard determined"
lnterns tional business cooperation was
urged by A. c. Bedford, head OF the
American branch OF the Internal ational
Chamber OF Commerce and chairman Of
the board of the Standard Oil Company,
who presided at the luncheon.
Freedom of trade and equal privilege
and opportunity without the menace OF
Governme mt control or monopoly are es-
sential to world accord" Mr. Bedford
said. we wish to see the day come
when import and export prohibition will
be revoked, when production will be in
creased and when there will be liberty
or commerce and nations will open their
Coors to the business men OF other ma
tfons who come in spirit OF coopera-
ton, seeking TO help. asking no favors
but demanding that they be allowed the
same rights others are allowed. In that
wsy only can men and nations work to-
gcther."
Among those present were ]. Pier
pont Morgan, James W. Gerard, Frank
4. Munsey. Oscar 5. Strauss, julius
Barnes, Dr.. Nicholas Murray Butler
Charles NJ. Schwab BENJAMIN Strong,
Marcel Knecht, special French repre-
sentative; Castor Lehert. French Con-
sui General Joseph Fl. Defrees. Gen.
Judge r. s. Lovett. William Fellowes
Morgan, Lewis l.. Clarke. Seward Pros
SER Charles Fl. Sabin, James s. Alex
ander. Haley Fiske, f. j. Berwind,
George F. Baker, Jr.; Morgan J.
o'Brien, Gen. Samuel McRoberts, Or.
W. Fl. p. Faunce William c. Redfield,
W. n. Truesdale. u. N. Bethel. +. d.
Underwood. Guy Emerson. Howard
Elliott, William G. Rcick, William Jay
Schieffelin. William 4. Dewart. julius
Kruttschntt. Robert de Forest. Daniel
Guggenheim. Mortimer l.. Schiff and
p. A. Rockefeller.
Later in the afternoon Mayor Hylan
conferred the freedom OF the city upon
Mr.. Viviani III the Aldermanic cham
Der at City Hall. The Seyres vase pre-
sented 10 the city by Mr.. Vivani in
behalf of the French Government stood
on the platform and opposite IL was a
silver bowl filled with roses and suit
ably inscribed, which Rodman Wana-
maker. chairman OF the Mayors COM
mittee on the reception OF distinguished
visitors. asked the former French
Premier to accept In behalf of the city.
He also was presented by Mr.. Wans-
maker with diamond barpin for Mrs.
NiViani.