Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-15
FRENCHMEN CELEBRATE
FALL OF THE BASTILE
LOCAL COLONY OBSERVES NATAL
DAY
Patriotic ranco-Americans Throng
Chutes Park to Commemorate His
toric Event With Speech, Song and
Fireworks and EuIogize Heroes

With speech, song and fireworks the
local colony Of Franco-Americans gath
cred at Chutes park yesterday and
commemorated in a befitting manner
the Fall of the Bastile, the historic
event which is accounted as important
by the Frenchman as the signing of
the Declaration of independence is by
Americans. In other words, the great
national holiday of the republic of
France is July IA, and it was appropri-
ately celebrated in Los Angeles by one
of the greatest demonstrations in the
history of the local French colony.
Donatellis band discoursed a num-
Der of patriotic airs, in which the ma
tional, hymns of France and America
were the most popular, the French
mans blood boiling with pride as he
heard the "Marseillaise" and his pa
triotism for his adopted country be-
coming noisy as he listened with barred
head to the strains of the "Star Span
gled Banner"
Impressive Demonstration
The most impressive demonstration
of the days program occurred when
the band struck up the medley,
"L'Hymne National Americain" and
''Marche Lorraine" Instantly, without
the slightest cue, every one in the large
audience at the pavilion arose to stand
ing positions and with barred heads
silently drank in the sweet refrains and
as the last note died away the audi
ence Of one accord Joined in applause
which was prolonged for several Sec
onds,
The afternoon was devoid of cere-
rnony, that portion of the program be-
ing scheduled for the evening. Follow
ing the band concert and the brief in
PRODUCTION of the officers and commit
tees in charge of the celebration, the
crowds gathered upon the course and
watched the exciting sports and
games.
The feature of the athletic program
was the fencing tournament in the pa
vilion. Contestants were local amateurs
and the matches drew a crowd so large
that but small space was left in the
building for the fencers. A local stu
dent of the art named Maloney won
the first match. M. Foucher, an ex-
pert with the blade, captured the Sec
ond match, after an exciting contest
which furnished the prettiest match
seen in Los Angeles in many months.
The other athletic events were as fol-
lows:
Egg race for children-Won by Julia,
Auble, Mary Boswell second, Mary
Laer third
Girls race-Won by Anna Viuisiffe,
with Anna Lescoullie second.
Boys race-Won by Earle Auble,
with Harry Roques second.
Pitcher race-Won by Merrill Hol-
| lingsworth, with Norman Schu sec
| ond.
M. Durand, consular agent for the
French republic in Los Angeles, was
the orator Of the day. and in his ad-
dress he reviewed the history of
France and dwelt especially upon the
historic event which was the occasion
of yesterdays celebration.
| ~ SoAuCib VI lAS
day, also addressed the assembly.
dwelling upon the history of the event,
the prosperity of the French republic
and referred to the Franco American
citizenship with pride in his country
mems achievements in their adopted
country.
Other dignitaries discussed France
and Frenchmen and the cordial rela-
tions existing between the two great
nations of the world.
Following the evening ceremonies a
display of fireworks closed the days
program. The display was a fitting
finale to the day, the many special
pieces being beautifully set and showed
ir outline the busts Of American and
French statesmen. emblems of the
countries and appropriate designs for
the particular occasion.