Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-14

brate the fall Of the Bastile the beginning
OF the French Revolution.
As usual, the parade was trihe late In
starting. The crowds waited impatient as
usual, but they were well rewarded and they
were satisfied.
SYMBOLIC FLOATS
In the line were mounted police, detach-
monts Of sailors and marines from the navy
yard, Philadelphia guardsmen, Boy and
Girl Scouts and motor messenger girls, the
Mayor and other city officials and the city's
guests. women Of the Emergency Aid, the
French War Relief Commission, members Of
the French colony in Philadelphia, and
many others
Mayor Smith and Emerson Collins, As
Distant Secretary Of the Commonwealth
rode in the first automobile. Mrs. Cornelius
Stevenson and Dr. Richard II. Harte Jr,
OF the Red Cross. followed in large tour.
ing car, which was admitted to be the most
artistic in the procession. 1t was completely
covered in red white and blue, common
colors of both republics.
Four beautiful floats brought cheers from
the populace. one represented the i'm
mortal Joan Of Arc who sacrificed herself
FOR liberty as many an unknown and un-
named woman has done and who went to
death glad to be able to die IN such a cause.
one represented France appealing and not
In vain to America. Miss Mary Warburton
appearing as America Another showed a
| FRENCH village reconstructed by loving
Americans.
JOAN OF ARC HONORED
Little Miss Helen Hope Montgomery was
Joan OF Arc Dressed in a becoming suit
Of spanges, carrying a banner and riding a
! prancing charger, she was one OF the many
features Of the parade.
The French societies were out in force.
They marched in the rear Of the first auto
| mobile contingent. Included in the ranks
| oh nd pn31 oil
marching with sodierly precision.
NJ Victor Fonteneau, acting French con-
sui in this city, and Or. Ernest Laplacc,
| head Of the Allied French Societies Of Phil
adolphla, were among those in the front
rank. Several veterans of the Franco
| Prussan war were in lipe. The women
and children were dressed gayly in their
national colors.
The English fell in for their share Of
| the celebration when the procession arrived
| at Independence Hall. Colonel St George
/ LOTUS Steele the new British recruiting
officer in this city, was warmly greeted 10y
| the Mayor and by rousing cheers. lie was
accompanied by a detachment of English
soldiers and sailors in uniform.
The Celebrants thronged to Independence
| Square, where Mayor Smith and the city
| guests, representatives of the French colony
| and many of the persons who have been
leaders in the French war aid and war re-
| lief movements opened the formal Cclebra-
| tion.
FRENCH SOCIETIES
Colonel Waller. of the United states Ma
rine Corps, was among those on the plat
| form. The French societies represented in
| cluded the French National Beneficial So.
| ciety, the Alliance Francaise, the Franco
| American Society and the French Ladies'
| Beneficial Society
Throughout the celebration in Indepen.
| dence Square Mrs Stanley Griswold Flagg
| and other society women were busy knitting
| for the soldiers. Their industry caused
much favorable comment.
Mayor Smith dwet upon the appropriate
| ness Of Independence Square, birthplace OF
| American liberty, for the celebration of the
| birth of French liberty at time when both
America and France were flghting-to the
| last drop of the blood Of both nations-for
| the liberty of the world.
The Mayor told what America and Phila-
| delphia have done for France-how the city
| and the nation have given men and money
and the work of women's hands for France
because the ideals Of France are the ideals
| of Philadelphia and America. lie told how
| Philadelphia and America will go on doing
| their part to the end,
MAYORS ADDRESS
Mayor Smith presided. After more than
| 1000 persons had stood virtually at atten-
| tion while the square rang with the air Of
| the "Marseillaise," ne said
This united celebration or the DlrtndaN
| of Liberty has underlying it many phases
| which are common to both the republic of
| France and the United States.
| "Tn the first place the fall Of the Bastlle
! took place at about the time when our own
republic was beginning to take n definite
| form through its constitution. Furthermore,
| the French revolution can be traced back
| to that same constitution.
! "Undving bonds of friendship and Of the
| same ideals have kept both republics united
| in a common spirit for more than 100 years,
| and for many reasons we both have COM
| mon ground for celebration.
ION this day Of days for France, Phila-
| dephia sends greetings and heartfelt God
| bless you to our sister republic across the
| seas
| "Our soldiers already are on the sunny
| shores of France anxious and willing to do
| their share in the common fight of liberty.
| and here as Mayor let me pledge the loyal
| support of Philadelphia, spirit. money or
| men, If need be- in the fight France is
making for the salvation of the world
Liberty for the French armies will mean
| liberty for the world and a riddanCe of the
depressing force which has been vainly at
tempting to crush all the ideals of liberty
and democracy under foot
THE clarion has sounded I know that
| our own boys al the front will do their duty
nobly They only will have to follow the
shining example which has been set by the
loyal sons of France"
Following the Mayors address the MAR
seillaise" was sung by members of the
Orpheus Club.