The Washington times., 1917-07-06
FLOWERS DELUGE
|. AMERICAN TROOPS
IN PARIS PARADE

/ NEW YORK, July Ga special
cable to the New York Times from
Charles A. Grasty, in Paris, referring
to the Independence Day celebration,
says:
Where there are so many clImaxes
1t is difficult to decide what particu-
lar point was the top, but l am in
clined to think Paris broke all rec
ords today. l have happened to be
SO cl' Sc to the storm center in every
case that my opinion might be less
sure on the performance as a whole
/ than an observer with a better per-
spective, but l infer that the Amer
lean officers who have gone through
all the experiences, Paris inclusive,
| believe that today was the big day
The appearance in Paris of organ
lied soldiery from America, come to
night the Germans side by side with
the French, and their marching
through the streets Of Paris to rag
time music produced by their own
bands, in the presence of tremendous
crowds, all on the anniversary OF
American independence, constituted
one OF the great historical occasions
of all time. We have had the landing
of General Pershing and his party in
England, their arrival in Paris, the
I
now their occupation o. their part
of the line at the front, and then, let
us hope, the realization OF Walter
/ Berry's great climax in today's
| speech-"Tneir arrival on the Rhine"
From o'clock this morning until
the finish ! saw the show from many
vantage points.
Toss Flowers to Troops.
Everybody 1 saw was most i'm
pressed by the crowds. They might
be bigger and noisier in New York,
but have never seen so many hearts
on sleeves as today. There were seas
of faces everywhere-war-bit
trustful. eager. OF young men there
was almost complete absence. Fee
males of all ages, young boys, old
men. and tens of thousands Of little
children lined the streets. They had
picked up broken bits OF English,
like Welcome" Glad you're here"
and Happy to see YOU" which they
flung almost with sobs OF laughter as
they tossed flowers upon the troops
and into the carriages.
A smile from any one wearing an
American uniform awakened in their
eyes an expression Of delight that
only Latins are capable of. ! saw one
old soldier in unconcealed tears while |
the ceremonies were III pEOsIcSs at
the InvalIdes.
Although the infantry. at the head |
OF which rode their commander. were |
mostly recruits, they made q splendid |
impression. 1t was regrettable that |
it was impracticable to pick out all |
regulars for an occasion for which |
Paris will have received a permanent |
impression.
Must Learn To Hide.
There was a wait OF half an hour |
or more at the Hotel de Vile for rest |
and freshing up. ieIl in there with |
"a Frenchman, a dEillmasterswho had |
been handling American and English |
recruits. He commented favorably |
on our lot. which there was opportun-
ity tc inspect closely. las human be- |
ings and raw material they're the |
very. best" Ne said. But they need |
deal OF training. The hardest thing |
to teach them is not to be too brave.
They must learn first to hide. That's
the first essential in this war. Brav-
cry and human flesh are no good |
against machine guns or barraRe Are.
Those splendid fellows will want to /
go right at the enemy just as the |
English did, who are just now learn
ing how to STRIFE without risking /
themselves too much. Methods in
this war are largely those OF stealth;
in using men with plenty OF artillery. !
machine guns, and airplanes.