A Journey Through France in War Time Part 1

A Journey Through France in War Time.

by Joseph G. Butler, Jr.

FOREWORD

Of all that has been written, or is to be written, by Americans concerning the tragedy overwhelming the Old World, much must naturally be descriptive of conditions in France, since that country is, among those affected by military occupation, most accessible and most closely in sympathy with American ideals and American history.

While the ground covered by these pages may be, therefore, not unfamiliar, the motives prompting their preparation are probably unique.

It has been undertaken at the request of friends, but not entirely for their pleasure; since the author hopes that those who read it may see in the patriotic devotion and courage of the French people something of the spirit that should animate our country, whose aspirations toward liberty the French aided even before they were themselves free.

Written in hours s.n.a.t.c.hed for the task amid the press of other duties, these pages endeavor to present a simple, intimate and personal story of experiences enjoyed and impressions gained under most unusual circ.u.mstances and herein shared with my friends as one of the most interesting incidents of a long and busy life.

A Journey Through France in War Time

ORIGIN OF THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIP

In the Autumn and Winter of 1915, a body of distinguished and representative Frenchmen visited the United States, their object being to make an investigation of conditions here, having in mind the great need of France in war munitions, the steel in ingot and bar form very much needed for the manufacture of war materials, and the numerous other commodities necessary for prosecution of the war, which had been in progress more than a year.

The finances of France were also very much in evidence in the minds of the visitors.

The names and occupation of this French Trade Commission appear following:

Chairman--Monsieur Maurice Damour, Secretary of the French Deputies' Commission on Appropriations.

Monsieur Jacquez Lesueur, Delegate of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Monsieur L. Trincano, Director of the Horological School of Besancon.

Monsieur Jacquez de Neuflize, Banker.

Monsieur M. Chouffour, of the Credit Francais.

Monsieur L. Vibien, Director of the National Bank of Credit.

Monsieur E. Dela.s.sale-Thiriez, Secretary of the Syndicate of Spinners.

Monsieur M. Saladin, Delegate of the Creusot Factory.

Monsieur Joseph Guinet, Delegate of the Chamber of Commerce of Lyons.

This Commission visited various parts of the United States, princ.i.p.ally the great iron and steel centers, Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Chicago.

Much attention was shown the party in their journey through our land.

An introductory luncheon to this French Commission was given by The American Manufacturers Export a.s.sociation at the Hotel Biltmore, New York, Tuesday, November 23rd, 1915. This luncheon was attended by a representative number of American manufacturers and bankers, and the object of the visitors fully discussed. On this occasion it was suggested by Mr. E. V. Dougla.s.s, the efficient secretary of the Export a.s.sociation, that a return visit of Americans would be in order and would a.s.sist in accomplis.h.i.+ng the object of the visitors. This suggestion was followed up early in 1916 and took form later on in the appointment and selection of the members of "The Commission Industrielle Americaine en France", the expedition being organized and financed under the direction of The American Manufacturers' Export a.s.sociation, located at 160 Broadway, New York City.

This a.s.sociation has an active members.h.i.+p of over five hundred manufacturers, firms and corporations engaged in the production of all kinds of fabricated materials, from steel to women's lingerie.

The president of the a.s.sociation, Mr. E. M. Herr, of Pittsburgh, closely a.s.sociated with the Westinghouse interests, was the moving spirit in creating and selecting the organization and formulating the plans and policy of the Industrial Commission, even to the extent of selecting the chairman.

The members.h.i.+p of the commission, their occupations, business and professional status, is given herewith:

M. W. W. Nichols, President; Vice President "American Manufacturers' Export a.s.sociation." President, Adjount du Conseil d'Administration "Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co., Inc.," New York, N. Y.

M. J. G. Butler, Jr., Fabricant de fer et d'acier, Vice-president "Brier Hill Steel Company", Youngstown, Ohio.

M. A. B. Farquhar, President "A. B. Farquhar Co., Ltd., York, Pa."

Vice-president "National Chamber of Commerce of the United States."

M. G. B. Ford, New York, Urbaniste-Conseil.

M. S. F. Hoggson, Conseil-Expert en matieres et materiaux de construction; President "Hoggson Bros. & Co., Inc." New York, N. Y.

M. F. J. Le Maistre, Ingenieur-Chimiste-Conseil E. I. du Pont de Nemours et Co., Wilmington, Del.

M. J. R. Mac Arthur, President Mac Arthur Bros., Co., New York, N.

Y.; Ex-Sous-Secretaire du Department d'Etat, Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C.

M. Le Dr. C. O. Mailloux, Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, Ingenieur-Electricien, New York, N. Y., Ancien President "American Inst.i.tute of Electrical Engineers."

M. C. G. Pfeiffer, Vice-president "Geo. Borgfeldt et Co.," New York, Importateurs et Exportateurs; Member of "National Chamber of Commerce of the United States."

M. J. E. Sague, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Ingenieur-Mecanicien. Ancien New York Public Service Commissioner; Ancien Vice-president "American Locomotive Co.", New York, N.Y.

M. E. A. Warren, Expert en matieres et precedes textiles; Vice-president "Universal Winding Co.", Boston, Ma.s.s.

M. E. V. Dougla.s.s, Secretaire General; Secretaire "American Manufacturers' Export a.s.sociation."

M. E. Garden, Secretaire Francais.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Photograph of Commissioners Taken on Train Leaving Paris for Limoges.]

This roster is taken from the previously mentioned booklet, "The Commission Industrielle Americaine en France." The object of the Commission is carefully set forth in the opening, in French, and for the benefit of readers who speak English only, a translation follows:

The American Industrial Commission in France, organized under the auspices of the American Manufacturers' Export a.s.sociation, with the cordial approval of France and of the United States, princ.i.p.ally for a sympathetic study of industrial and commercial conditions in France.

At the time of the visit to America by the French Commercial Commission in the winter of 1915-1916, the idea was proposed to different American industrial and commercial a.s.sociations, to organize a similar mission for the purpose of returning this visit to France.

This idea was taken up by the American Manufacturers' Export a.s.sociation, which, incorporated in 1911, numbers among its members.h.i.+p more than five hundred organizations of great importance in the American industrial world. This organization is co-operative in character, with the general idea of developing and maintaining commercial relations between the United States and foreign countries.

The importance of the proposed mission becomes more apparent through a detailed a.n.a.lysis of its program, which comprises a study of the most practical means of utilizing the resources and experience of America for the reconstruction which France desires to make of its communities and of its industries, during and after the war.

The a.s.sociation has succeeded in organizing a commission made up of men well qualified to render the service desired.