The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-09-07
U. S. TROOPS in
review BEFORE
PRES. POINCARE
French President, Minister
of War and Generals In
spect Forces.
HONOR BIRTH OF
GEN. LAFAYETTE: I:
Poincare Tells Soldiers They
Are Fighting Common
Cause Of Liberty.

American Training Camp in France.
Sept. z CDelayed) (By the A. P.)-The
American troops. wearing their British
trench helmets and looking grim and
warlike, passed in review before Pres
ident Poincare, addressing the troops
later, said that he had witnessed their
demonstration with great emotion and
felt that events were bringing the
French and American peoples closer
together.
The French president. accompanied
by Paul Painleve, minister Of war and
marine. Gen. Petain and several other
French generals, was met at the Amer
ican field. headquarters by Gen. Per-
shing and Gen. sibert.
Today was the anniversary of the
birth of Lafayette as well as the be-
ginning of the battle of the Marne,
and President Poincare said that he
had especially selected the date to pay
his first visit to the american troops.
He inspected, several American bar
racks and bflleting quarters in French
villages and thea9 left to visit historic
spots on the SGarne battle field.
The French presidents reception
was marked by democratic simplicity.
plateau In the American training area
and when President Poincare and hia
party arrived early flsis morning the
troops were drawn up at attention IN
regimental squares, a formation which
seemed wonderfully formidable.
Bands stationed here and there about
the reviewing field launched into the
strains of the Marsellaise as the pres
ident's automobile appeared over the
crest of the steep hill. The review
proceeded immediately, President
Poincare salutfng the American and
reimental flags as they passed. After
ward, while the men stood at ease, all
the officers Of the expeditionary force
were detached and assembled in a
semi-circle about the president and
his party. Gen. Pershing stepped for.
ward and addressed them briefly:
I'VE ara paid great honor today
in the visit of the president Of the re-
public to which we have come to dc
our share in the fight for liberty
This happens also to be the anniver-
sary Of the beginning Of the battle Of
Marr1e, a day which will ever stand
out In the history OF the world. Il
is peculiarly fitting that< this army
should be SO honored on this day, fol
I am sure 1t will give us a still great
er feeling of patriotism and loyalty
for the principles for which we shall
fight and will instill into us a still
higher spirit for the Accomplishment
of the task which is before us. i
will make us. the advance guard o.
Americas forces. face still more keen.
| ly the responsibility that has beer
| placed on u.s.
l
| ident Poincare and the president
| stepping into the semicircle, removed
| his simple blue yachting cap as he be
| gan to speak in French in a clear, fal
reaching voice. A majority of the Of
ficers of the expeditionaryl force .ar.
! acquainted with the French Language
and they followed each sentence close
] ly.
| "It makes me very happy" Pres
| ident Poincare said, tto be able tt
bring today the congratulations o.
4 the French republic to this very fint
| army commanded py Gen. Pershinl
| and which I have just seen marching
| before me in such a magnificent man
/ ner. It filled me with emotion to Sc,
| SO many gallant officers and SO man.
| brave soldiers, who faced the danger
/ of the sea to come to the soil o
France to defend the common caus,
of the Allies and to consecrate thel
i lives, if need be-, to the common caus
1 of liberty. AS president Wilson salt
the other day, we are all fighting 70
| the same ends and the interests of tn
free United States are at stake every
| where the Allied armies are at grip
| with the enemy, whether it be in Elan
ders. before Verdun, or on the Isonzo
To-day in all of the great cities O.
America is celebrated the anniversar.
of the birth of Lafayette. Today ais,
will visit the tombs of the heroes
Of the battle of the Marne, the me1
: fallen in that advance guard of tn,
armies, which are now fighting fo
| right and civilization. Thus our tw,
countries are celebrating today tw,
common anniversaries which mus
| draw them still more closely togethe
and inspire them in the struggle il
4 which they ere engaged"
CONTINUED on Page Two)