033.5111/61

The Ambassador in France ( Wallace ) to the Secretary of State

No. 2218

Sir: I have the honor to report to the Department that the following note in regard to ex-Premier Viviani’s visit to the United States was published in the French Press of March 8: [Page 963]

“The French Government is sending M. Viviani to Washington on a special mission to convey to the United States the congratulations of friendly France, on the occasion of the coming into office of President Harding.

This visit will have a particular significance in the eyes of the Americans.

At the moment when the direction of the affairs of the State changes hands in the United States, it will mark the lasting friendship of the French people for the sister nation which, in the difficult hours of the Great War, maintained the noble traditions inaugurated between the two nations during the heroic epoch of the War of Independence.

M. Viviani was at the head of the French Government during the tragic hours of the German declaration of war; he received in the United States, in company with Marshal Joffre, an unforgettable welcome when he went to thank the American people for the cooperation so enthusiastically given; finally, he took part in the labors of the French Parliament and of the League of Nations in a way that cannot be forgotten; he is better able than anyone else to testify to France’s pacific designs; to trace the line of the wonderful efforts which she has already accomplished in order to regain in the world the place to which the services rendered to humanity give her a right; and also to show the necessity for her to find, in a just execution of the Treaty, accepted by Germany, the means to repair the ruins caused by a war of which she has borne the heaviest burden, and to prevent, by disarmament, a return to the crimes against civilization and liberty.”

In an interview with Le Matin, M. Viviani is stated to have declared:

“Several weeks ago, M. Briand asked me if I would go to America immediately after the inauguration of President Harding to salute him in the name of the French Democracy and to demonstrate through him to the American people the ardent sympathies and the imperishable gratitude of France”.

After mentioning the announcement made public concerning him, the ex-Premier said he expected to arrive in Washington about March 28th and that his first duty would be to call upon the President. He concluded the interview with the following words:

“I shall probably have occasion, in the course of the conversations which will be held, to cause the true democratic and pacific character of France to appear, and to explain that this disinterested nation, which has fought for civilization and for liberty, demands only her right and recently has even reduced the figure in the interests of the peace of the world. I go alone, counting furthermore upon the valuable assistance of our eminent Ambassador, M. Jusserand, and of the French services. I expect to be back in France during April and shall be happy if I can, in the interests of my country, fulfil the confidential mission with which its Government has charged me.”

[Page 964]

The French text of the official note and of M. Viviani’s interview with Le Matin, as published by that paper on March 8, are forwarded as an enclosure to this despatch.57

Le Temps issues a semi-official note denying the report said to have been published in certain newspapers or agencies of the United States to the effect that M. Viviani in the course of his mission to America has been charged with the discussion of the question of the Inter-Allied debts.

I have [etc.]

Hugh C. Wallace
  1. Not printed.