Part 17 (1/2)

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.