HONOURING THE FRENCH MISSION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15917, 2 June 1917, Page 7

HONOURING THE FRENCH MISSION.

AMERICAN TBIBUTE TO YISITOBS.

REMARKABLE SCENES IN

CONGRESS,

The United States Senate to-day, wrote a "Washington correspondent on May Ist, paid spectacular tributo to Reno Viviani, Marshal J off re, and Admiral Chocheprat. . Time and again tho historic chamber, where demonstrations aro taboo, fairly shook with i cheers and handclapping. At one time shouts of "Joffrel Joffrel" brought the famous soldier of tho Marno to his feet to respond in thunderous voico: — "Vivo les Etats Unisl" And again in ringing Viviani, former Premier of the French Republic, predicted a ''magnificent victory'' for democracy with the help of "tho glorious country in which you live." Ono hundred years ago General Lafayctto visited the American Senate, but the records tell no such story as that enacted there to-day. From the time M. R-ene Viviani. on tho arm of Senator Hitchcock, entered the chamber' followed by Marsha! Joffre, accompanied by Senator Lodge, the applauso was continuous and at times deafening. One of the first, to begin and the last'to stop was Senator La Folletto of Wisconsin, chief opponent of tho ontrancc by tho United States into tho war. Vice-President Marshall' welcomed the Frenchmen. "The Senate of the United States has tho pleasure and honour of receiving and welcomiug these distinguished visitors to the Republic,*' ho said. "Wc had the glorious honour of receiving General Lafayette. Nearly ono hundred years afterwards it is a pleasure and honour to wolcomo the former Premier of tho French Government, tho Minister of Public Instruction and Marshal of France." The Senate arose, and with the galleries boomed out applause. Immediately afterward tho Senate reccssod, and Senators, Congressmen, and pagea filed by the visitors, shaking their hands.

M. Vivioni, speaking: in Frcnc!/, which few understood, but whoso oratory was so impressivo that frequently lie was interrupted by applause, paid a glowing tribute to the country which has joined the other democracies of tho world—and spoko of the duties before it. When he concluded the applause was deafening. Deeply moved, ho shifted from foot to foot, and his knuckles turned white as ho gripped tho edge of the Vice-President's table. j The Vice-President arose and to hide the visitor's embawassment, said: — , "As we said, 'Hail I' ko now we say, 'Farewell' and yet again, praise God, 'Hail.'" Then tho real storm broke. Cries in the r>alJeries, mingled with tho tremendous applause of the Senators and Representatives who packed the floor. And above tho noise rose shouts of "Jofl'rc!" "Joffrc!" "Joffrel" The great soldier rose, his fac® flashed with emotion. Somewhat excitedly he did corr.e- . thing lie had not done hero before. lie spoke English.

;Brokenlv he said: "I do not sndijfc the English/' and then, shouted: "Vivo les Ktats Unis!" •which, started the tumult, all over apain. Two days later the Freheh Commission visited the House of Representatives. Of their reception the correspondent auotod above says:— If the Seriate reception was ■ spectacular, the House demonstration*was a "riot," as the doorkeeper announced: •'The Honourable French Commission to the United States."

The Commissioners arrived afc tlie Caoitol shortly after noon. House and galleries commenced aonlauding lon«* before they entered the Chamber. When .Toffro and Viviani ascended to Speaker, Clark's rostrum to be presented, handclapping changed to stamping, desk pounding and cheers. TWO OF THEM UNDERSTOOD.

Viviani bowed in response, wT.ilo Joflfre responded with his now familiar salute. Then, as Joffre sat down, Viviani laid a pair of startling yellow gloves on the Speaker's desk and launched into a stirring address. Two Representatives in front, who understood what ho said, led tho vest of.the House in applause, except when »'Viviani mentioned President Wilson, when all applauded vociferously. Representative Medill McCormick (Illinois), volunteer interpreter to the Press galleries, furnished a mirror for Viviani's vivacious gestures as lie waved his arms and dictated a freo translation to a House stenographer.

CHEERS FOR JOFFRE. j As Yiviani finished cheers were re-; newed. Then Joffre arose and saluted. "I present to yoii," Clark began. A tremendous cheer interrupted for a couple of minutes. Then the finished, "the Marshal of Franco." The Speaker—no linguist—carefully refrained from any attempt at pronunciation. Ho stuck to titles. Joffre saluted tho House and waited for order. "Thank you," he said finally, "Vive l'Amerique." Then he sat down. Speaker Clark escorted M. Viviani, Marshal Joffre and Admiral Chocheprat' to tho front of tho chamber, where they shook hands with moro members than, havo responded to any roll call in months. The Embassador. M, Jusserand, and officers of tho French Commission were seated in front of the Speaker's desk. The party was escorted to the chancer by Representatives Flood (Virfy&ia), chairman Of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Miss Jeanetto Rankin attracted unusual attention. Marshal Joffre shook hands with her. M. Viviani, to tho intense pleasure of the House—again expressed in cheers—kissed her hand. In the courso •of his 6peech, M. Viviani said:— "If < your national hero, Gcorgo Washington, could rise from his grave and behold to-day's war he would himself proclaim that after a nation has created independence it bound to defend it before all the world, and not only to maintain its own indcoendcnec, but to creato also independence for other nations. "Wo have sworn on the grave of Washington to fight to the end. But not only has it been sworn on the £ravo of Washington, but also on the graves of the uncounted soldiers who have fallen in this war. "It has been sworn on tho deathbed of those who have died in the hospitals of Europe, • and it has been sworn on the cradles of the newlyboru. It has been sworn by every lover of freedom from the cradle to tho tomb. "It ha 3 been sworn."