A Journey Through France in War Time Part 17

French Republic.

Mr. J. G. Butler, Jr., Youngstown, O.

Dear Sir:--

I thank you for the interesting data which you kindly sent me on the development of the French Steel Industry during the war.

My compatriots cannot be otherwise than sensible of the praise which you have given them.

They will find in your report an authorized opinion of the efforts which they have made to make secure the National defense.

Yours very truly, A. MIRMAN, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Consulate-General of the United States of America.

1, Rue Des Italians (28, Boulevard Des Italiens)

Paris, December 6, 1916.

Joseph G. Butler, Jr., Esquire, Youngstown, Ohio, United States of America.

My dear Mr. Butler:--

I am in receipt of your good favor of November 9, 1916, enclosing a reprint of your report on the French Steel Industry, for which you have my best thanks. I have read it with a great deal of interest and must congratulate you upon getting a great many solid facts into a very small compa.s.s. In my opinion you have covered the situation very intelligently and the information you give ought to be of great value to our manufacturers in the United States.

I cannot tell you how glad I was to see you over here and I only wish that more of our people would come abroad to study conditions at first hand.

I have also received a letter from your friend, Mr. Warren, and from Mr. Dougla.s.s saying all sorts of nice things about me which, I hope, were merited.

Very sincerely yours, A. M. THACKARA.

Republican Committee of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

Paris, November 30th, 1916.

Mr. J. G. Butler, Jr., Member of the Industrial Commission of France.

Youngstown, Ohio.

Dear Sir:--

I acknowledge receipt of the interesting report that you have made on your return from France, and I trust that this voyage will have allowed you to learn to appreciate our fine country, and that the results of your visit will be good and fruitful for the exchange of our products with North America.

You need not thank us for the reception that we have given to the American delegation in France. It was our duty to receive heartily our American friends; it was for us a cherished duty to tighten again the bonds of cordiality which exist between the two countries.

Personally I myself have been very glad to be introduced to you.

Yours Very truly, MONCURAND, Senateur de la Seine.

Meurthe & Moselle, Office of the Prefect.

Nancy, France, November 28th, 1916.

Dear Sir:--

I have read with the greatest interest the interview which you gave upon your landing in America to the American newspapers.

I feel very much impressed by your own remembrance and I myself feel honored, as a French citizen, by your sympathy for my country.

The poor city of Nancy has suffered since your visit. We buried yesterday, the victims of the Friday bombardment. Big sh.e.l.ls have been thrown on the city. One fell right in the center, in this vicinity, in a populous street, many women and children have been killed, a mother and her two little girls--what a dreary sight is war, the way of the war inaugurated by the Germans, for it is the shame of all humanity. We have inhumed our poor victims, washed the blood that reddened pavements, put in order the rubbish of the houses and have come back again to our daily work.

Yours very truly, MIRMAN, Prefect.

To J. G. Butler, Jr.

Lyon, Le 28 November 1916.

Consulat Imperial de Russie a Lyon

Mr. Joseph G. Butler, Jr.

Youngstown, Ohio.

United States.

Dear Sir:--

I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 9 November, and of the copy of your report respecting the French Steel Industry. I thank you for same.

I have read your report with high interest, on various questions referred to, and particularly the Comite des Forges de France, and the works of Messrs. Schneider & Co. at Le Creusot.

I should be happy if a further good opportunity could afford me the pleasure of meeting you again, and I remain, dear sir,

Very truly yours, C. CALOR.

Chambre Des Deputes Commission du Budget.

Paris, le November 30th, 1916.

Mr. Joseph G. Butler, Jr.

Youngstown, Ohio, U. S. A.

My dear Mr. Butler:--

I duly received your favor of Oct. 31st, and of Nov. 10th, and also the doc.u.ments which you kindly sent me. I have read them with greatest interest.