Life April 9 1951 Page 40/41

VIVE LE PRESIDENT AURIOL

ONE OF WASHINGTON'S POSTERS

HONORED GUESTS

Capital greets French president and 20 Latin-American ministers

For the first time in its 175 years the U.S. last week was visited by a president of France. Jules Vincent Auriol came to see President Truman, but not for reasons that usually bring national chiefs together. Unlike a U.S. president, the president of France resembles a constitutional monarch in that he is head of his state but not of his government. So Auriol made the trip largely for reasons of international public relations: to emphasize France's willingness to defend itself and to report on its economic recovery. 

His arrival coincided with the beginning of a two-week meeting of 20 foreign ministers of American republics, in Washington to discuss mutual military defense and intrahemisphere price balances. Between fetes for them and the Auriols, Washington had a big week. 

President Auriol was greeted in Washington's Union Station (below) by a Harry Truman somewhat more tense than he had been when photographed at Key West (p. 58). The French leader immediately found the U.S. was somewhat fantastique. The tanks that escorted him had rubber treads to reduce their noise, and the bands were led by bare-legged, prancing young women. But most incredible of all, the pictures of himself (above) that decorated lampposts showed him wearing the very tie he wore at that moment. "Clever Americans," murmured the president of France, possibly forgetting that the law of coincidence operates internationally. 

ENTERING NEW YORK HARBOR, THE PRESIDENT OF' F'RANCE RAISES HIS HAT TO THE STATUE OF' LIBERTY  

Mr. TRUMAN KILLS 12 MINUTES

EAR IS RUBBED by President awaiting Auriol in Union Station's "State Room." 

COAT IS DOFFED amid ferns decorating room, used to greet noted. visitors. 

DECOR IS EXAMINED by the President, here looking up at some of the flags. 

WATCH IS CHECKED. As train was 10 minutes early, Truman waited only 12. 

GLASSES ARE CLEANED now, giving a rare view of a spectacleless Truman. 

POSES ARE STRUCK by Trumans in response to the photographers' demands. 

HANDS ARE SHAKEN as Auriol enters. At right: Protocol Chief Simmons.

WIFE IS PRESENTED to the honored visitor by Mr. Truman, now quite at ease. 

UNDER THE GLARE OF NEWSREET LIGHTS, DEAN ACHESON (BACK TO CAMERA) ADDRESSES THE F'OREIGN MINISTERS IN WASHINGTON'S PAN AMERICAN UNION