The Washington times., 1922-11-18
VISITOR IS
GIVEN BIG
OVATION
IN \. !.
Surprise Appears in Presence
Of Representative Of U. S.
State Department.
BY HARRY L. ROGERS,
international News Service.

NEW YORK, Nov. 49,
Georges Clemenceau, aged French
statesman and "war premier"
who arrived here today from
France, came to the United States
as the result of a secret under
standing with Premier Poincare
on q mission to foster Franco
American relations for the ulti-
mate salvation Of France.
Information as to the real OBJ
ject of Clemenceau's visit was
obtained by international News
Service from 9 high and authori-
Enemies<for twenty-five Yesrs.
Clemenceau ana Poincare had
been bitter political enemies for
twenty-five years. But under stress
of the international crisis which
threatens Europe. they decided to
bury the hatchet for the good OF
their native country.
Clemenceau was transferred from
the liner Paris to the tug Macon
and landed at pier A at the Bat.
terry, where he received IN enthusi-
astic ovation.
There a police guard Of honor met
the former premier, and he was
taken up Broadway in a motorcar
to city hall, where Mayor Hylan
greeted him in the name OF the
city.
The trip to city hall was . con.
tinuous ovation, with crowds cheer
ing and lines Of ticker tape flowing
from the office buildings.
City Hall plaza was jammed with
people when the "Tiger arrived
there about 10 o'clock. The cere-
monies at city hall were brief.
Hermit Since War.
For nearly three years following
the Paris peace conference Clemen-
ceau has lived the life of q hermit.
He has refused to reveal any OF
the secrets of the conference, or
even to defend his course during
the negotiations. He has refrained
from taking any part whatsoever
in French public affairs.
As conditions grew from bad to
worse, owing to the problem OF
German reparations and the general
political, financial and economic
crisis of Europe. Poincare and
Clemenceau decided to put their
personalities aside for the future
salvation of their country.
1t was obvious that Clemenceau
would have come to America as
simple French citizen rather than
as an official of the French gov
ernment. France could not official.
ly plead her cause with the Amer
lean people. especially with an ad-
ministration In power which IL on
record as opposing most Of the
things that France stands for.
There was marked absence OF
official attention when the greet
war premier embarked for America
at Havre on Armistice Day. While
all France was celebrating the
haps more than any other man.
made possible, not even a subordi.
nate official of the French govern.
ment was at the dock to bid the
fighting statesman God speed.
Jusserand NJ Dock.
In America, however. the situation
was different. Ambassador Jusserand
was master of ceremonies. He was
the first to greet Clemenceau. wei.
coming him as great compatriot.
Clemenceau himself talked freely
and wittily, but he carefully refrained
from giving any inkling Of the real
purpose of his visit.
What is your message TO the
United States7,' he was asked on
board the cutter Macon as he came
up the harbor.
II have a message, and on Tues
day night at the Metropolitan Opera
House will give It to you prh
vately," he said.
NJ. Jusserand. who has Just re.
turned from Europe, admitted that
he had been 10 the seat Of the League
of Nations at Geneva.
'Is Il contagious?" asked M. Glen.
enceau amidst q general laughter.
Despite the unofficial character OF
the visit of the great Frenchman.
the American Government was Off.
cially represented on the reception
committee. Robert Woods Bliss, As
sistant Secretary Of State. wes
among the first to go aboard the
J liner Paris and to greet N. Clemen-