The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-06-15

| 1alrly IOugnt Tor a chance to get
| near enough to the machines to hurl
their offerings into the laps and
shoulders of the astonished American
officers.
Struggle to Shake Hands.
The Americans apparently had not
imagined the heights to which Paris
Ian enthusiasm could rise. Boys, men
| and girls and even some old women
struggled to jump on the running
board of Gen. Pershing's car to shake
hands with him.
| The demonstration was the more
significant because 1t came from a
grea outpouring of people who, for
! the time being, seemed almost to
| forget that war was in progress.
1t was not Gen. Pershing alone
who came in for unprecedented ova-
tions. for every American caught
sight Il by tn, people was almost
burdened with flowers. Crowds
shouted themselves hoarse with
cheers for America. From every
house top all along the route, from
every window. from every elevation
and from thousands upon thousands
who chOked every thoroughfare in
tho vicinity" of the line of march,
there was hurled welcome that no
American in Paris will ever forget.
TRANSPORTATION Tied Up.
! Gen. PersEing was expected 10 ar
rive from Boulogne at 3 o'clock but
his special train did not reach Paris
until 6:3O. This gave opportunity
for thousands who work until
o'clock to mass themselves along the
route, until the congestion became so
great that transportation was tied
"n. Cen. Pershing's features were
not familiar to the people. but
Papa" Joffre's cap caught the ego
Of the people and revealed the iden-
tity of the soldier in khaki at his
SIDE
At the station Ce" Pershing was
met by group of French officials.
including Minister Viviani, Marshal
Joffre and Generals Foch, Painleve
and Peltier and by group of Amer
leans headed by Ambassador Sharp.
At one end Of the station was an i'm
provised throne with red tapestries
such as is erected when royalty is
visiting the city. which had been
! put up for the occasion. Before leav-
ing the station the party assembled
at this point Speeches Of welcome
were delivered by prominent French
men.
Given Informal Dinner.
An informal dinner was given to
Gen. Pershing at the American en-
bassy. Premier Ribot, Marshal Joff-
re, Ministers Viviani and Painleve
and other leading military and ma
val officers and public men were
present. Toward the close Ambas-
| sador Sharp proposed the health Of
the presidents of France and tho
United States and the success Of the
expedition. The premier responded
by greeting the American command
er as representing the American
army and people in the undertaking
on which they are now embarking.
He wished them all success and pro-
posed the health of President Will
son.
The first day spent in Paris by
Major Gen. Pershing was a continu-
GUS succession Of enthusiastic pop
ular demonstrations, given wherever
the American commander made an
appearance. Great throngs filled the
Place de La Concorde early in the
day, hoping to catch glimpse of
the American. Hundreds of French
soldiers on leave from the front
mingled in the throngs and gave
hearty greetings to the troops of the
Second cavalry who accompanied
Gen. Pershing. A large American
flag waved over the generals hotel
and everywhere the French and Am
erican colors were flying. One Of
the first events on today's crowded
program was visit this morning to
the Hotel Des 1nvalides. wherein is
the historical monument containing
Napoleon's body
Makes Formal Call.
After brief ceremony at the In
valides, Gen. Pershing made formal
call on Ambassador Sharp and was
then escorted with military honors
to the Palace of the Elysees to be
presented to President Poincare. At
1890 o'clock the president and Ma
dame Poincare gave state break
fast in honor Of the American COM
mander. Other guests were Premier
Ribot, Gen. Painleve. Marshal Joffre,
Minister Viviani. Ambassador Sharp
and other prominent figures in Off