The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-06-15

PARIS. "Wednesday. June 13.--paris
opened its arms 10 General Pcrsh'hS
and his staff this afternoon ana wei
coined them with an 0utburSt OF Spon'
laneous enthusiasm such as only Paris
is capable Of. No conqueripg nero re.
turning home could have hoped for or
received such a tremendous reception
As greeted the American commander
as his automobile sped through hun
drcds of thousands Of cheering peo-
pie.
Paris. and particularly the French
authorities, had planned and hoped for
4 great reception, hut II is doubtful
whether even the most optimistic pc
1lrnd the almost frantic crowds thal
nil but blocked the progress oil inc
automobiles. Men and women ch""r"d
themselves hOarSc, and flung masses
OF flowers into the cars. PariSianS de-
clare that the only event in their Ire
lime that approximares tho reception
in enthusiasm was that acrnrd"" 10
King George of England. in 1911.
When The special train reached me
station General PcrShing ana flold
Marshal Ioffre were the first Ia ZAP.
pear Behind them came S'rinG OF
American officers, each with french
officer as his host. The first shout or
welcome became Il continuous roar
,hnt seemed to shake the station 10 its
foundations. The police hnrriedly be.
gan Ia clear il lane through which half
a dozen automobiles moved at Snalls
mace through tho frantic thronEs.
. From hundreds OF windows Amcri-
can flags were waved by men, women
and children French girls with flags
mined 10 their breasts and their arms
filled with flowers bought from their
scanty savings. fairly fought for
chance 20 Cct near enough 10 the ma
chimes 10 hur their offerings into Inc
lHnS anA on the shoulders Of IN" as
ioniShrN American officers.
The Americans apparently mad NOT
ina gincd the heights 10 which ParlSlan
enthusiasm could arise. BOYS. men
aud girls. and even some old women
struggled TO jump on me. running
boards nf General P"rShing'S car 10
shake hands with him
The demonstration was IN" NOR" sig
nifTant, because il cam" from Il great
ou,nnurtng of pnnpi" who for me time
haing seemed almost to have forgot
Ten that war was in progress.
|, was not General PnrshlnG alnn"
who came in for unprecedented ova-
lions. hut every American cauCh, S!Chi
of hv tho people WAS almost hurdcnHh
with flowers. Crowds shouted them
selves hoarSn with cheers for Amrrl'
ca. From every housrtnp all along me
route. from every window. from every
elevation. and from III" thousands
upur thousands who rhokrd every
ihnruuChfare in the vicinity Of the line
ii march there was hurled WnlcomH
that no American in Paris will eyer
forget
General PcrShing WAS expected 10
arrive from BOulOcnr al j O'Clock ou'
his special Train did not reach Paris
until $40. This gave opportunity Tor
thousands who work until o'clock 10
mass themselves along The route UNI!
the congestion became 81 great maj
transportation was tied up. General
rrrshing'$ features wrr" MOI familiar
ia ,hr people hu: Papa .InttrrS
caught the ny" Of the people and rn'
vralcd The identity Of III" soldier IN
khaki at his side
Al tho station General PershinS WAS
met bv Il group Of French officials. IN,
GLIDING Minister Niviant, Marshal
I0ffre and Generals Furh. PalnI"ve
and rrltipr and by It group al Amer
leans headed by Ambassador SHARP
Al one end Of the station was IN I'M
prnvi-rd throne with red tapestries
-nrh as is erected when royalty is
visiting the city. which had been pu'
M for tn" occasion. Before leaving
tho station the party assembled At this
nuiri. Speeches nf welcome were de-
livnrrd by prnmtnpn, Frnnchmrn.
\ dirnnr was given tonight 10 Cen.
pcrshinc Il; the American embassy.