Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1917 — MARSHAL JOFFRE MEETS PRESIDENT [ARTICLE]

MARSHAL JOFFRE MEETS PRESIDENT

French Commission Visits Wilson and Others. U. S. IN WAR TO FINISH Viviani Told by Wilson That America Will Fight to .Victorious End -—Crowds Cheer for joss re. Washington, April 27,—The president of the United States, as the chief diplomatist of the nation, informed MJ Rene Vivian!, head of the French mission. that the United States would se® the war through to a victorious end. As commander in chief of the American army and navy, the president congratulated Marshal Joffre upon his shining military achievements and Vico Admiral Chocheprat upon the splendid work performed by the French navy., From the lips of M. Vivian! the president heard a brief tint eloquent address setting forth France’s appreciation of the unselfish action of th® Unites! States in coining to the assistance of the French people. Mr. Wilson, speaking for the AmerfJ can people, said what he has said before, that the United States Is happy; to be able to manifest its sincere friendship for France and to aid It in maintaining the principles of democracy and humanity. Big Day for Joffre. So it was with other officials upon! whom the French visitors paid formal! calls. The entire mission was greeted warmly by Secretary Lansing. Secretary Baker declared his gratification! at the honor of meeting Marshal Joffre, and told him of his eagerness and th® eagerness of the American army to support the French fighting lines in any] way deemed best. Secretary Daniels assured Vice Admiral Chocheprat that the navy was: ready and anxious to perform its share, of the work of driving the Germa® submarines and raiders from the sea® and even of crushing the German fleet,, should opportunity arise. It was a day which centered about Joffre. To Vivian! was offered the welcome both by the government and the people to which his work for Franca entitles him. To Chocheprat was extended th® greetings of a nation keenly alive t® the effective operations of the French navy. But for Joffre was reserved the admiration and the enthusiasm which only great military achievements can inspire. This robust figure, clad in the blue and red uniform, which at the beginning of tiie war made 8® many of the French soldiers victims of German bullets, was the magnet which attracted the eye of the president and the laborer in tiie street. -Joffre! Joffre!" the Cry. -Joffre! Joffre!” and hurrahs greeted him and those with him everywhere he appeared. At the White House dinner, given in honor of the French mission, it was Joffre who was signaled out for special attention; it was Joffre who was the object of those charming little courtesies which demonstrate regard. It was Joffre who dominated and overshadowed every other guekt at the table. , And this soldier, white-haired, won the hearts of all with whom he caine in contact, and those who saw him a.** 7 distance, by his unaffected simplicity. If he be taciturn, certainly he gave no indication. He was constantly observing, constantly commenting upon the things he saw, and his face frequently wreathed in a smile, which the women .describeas “sweet,” Clerks Rush to See Him. The report ran around the war office building that Joffre had arrived. The offices gave up their occupants. There I was a scramble for the doors and for the corridors along which Joffre ! would go. M. Viviani, Marshal Joffre and the party were escorted at once to Secre- • tary Lansing’s office. The crowd wait■ed patiently outside, and when the I dour opened and out caiue again the cheers went up for Joffre. To the White House the party repaired. and thence to the capitpl. Baek to the war department came Marshal Joffre, this time alone, and paid his respects to the secretary of war. “Victory Assured." Says Vivianl. In a statement to the American press Rene Viviani, France’s vice premier and head of the war mission, said the co-operation of the United States would mean not only a military victory, which already was assured. but “a victory of morality and right.” Expressing deep gratitude J for the enthusiastic reception given his mission here, M. Viviani said he realized it was “not to us, but to our beloved sod heroic France."