Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-12-17
.THEPRESIDENT IN PARIS

the French Capital-Wilson Tel
of Sympathy of United States fl
France in Her Sufferings
Paris, Dec. 17-President Wilso
last night finished playing the leadin
role in the greategt celebration TIL
French capital has ever witnessed.
Yesterday he was officially WELDON
ed to France as "great European il
terrogation," amid scenes unpara'
,eled in this city. Huge throngs file
the,streets. The Hotel Grilen was be
sieged by crowds waiting to catch
glimpse Of the American officials.
The expression used by Adr-ioI
Mithouard, president of the muniGipa
council, while addressing the Presi
lent in behalf of the city and the ma
lion, it was accepted as meaning tina
Wilson is regarded by Europe as th'
enigma of the peace conference.-the
nan around whom the Interpretation
If the various principles at issue vii
be centered.
President Wilson's speech in repl!
to the greeting extended him at Cit!
Hall was listened to with the greatest
interest. Among other things he said
"Ycur greeting has raised many
emotions within me. 1t is with no or.
binary sympathy that the people o
the United States, for whom have
the privilege of speaking, have view
ed the suiferings of the people OF
9rance. Many of our own people have
5een themselves witnesses of thost
;ufferings. We were the more deeply
moved by the wrongs of the war be
ause we knew the manner in WhicI
hey were perpetrated.
81 beg that you will not suppos'
hat. because wide ocean separate
IS in space, we were not in effect eye
Witnesses of the shameful ruin tina
vas wrought and the cruel and unnec
ssary suffcrings that were brought
rpon you. These suffering's have filled
,ur hearts with Indignation We know
ahat they were, not only but We
now what they signified, and ou
hearts were touched to the quick b.!
hem, our imaginations filled with the
whole picture of what France an'
Belgium in particular had expert,
,nced.
"When the United States entered
he war, therefore, they entered 1t moi
nly because they were moved by e
onviction that the purposes OF thf
.ent.al empires were wrong and mus
e resisted by men everywhere, who
owed liberty and the right, but als'
1ecau.e the Illicit ambitions whlcl
bev were entertaining and attempting
realize had led to the practices
which shocked our hearts as much a.
nev offended our principles.
"Our resolution was formed because
70 kn.w how profoundly great princ1
lies of right were affected, but ou'
.ea,.s moved also with our resolu
.ion.
"You have been exceedingly gener
us in what you have been graclou;
enough to say about me, generous ia
beyond my PERSONAL deserts but yo'
,ave interpreted wth real insight the
motives and resolution of the people o,
he limited States. Whatever influence
exercise, whatever authority spea'
r;th 7 derive from them. know what
hev have thought, ! know what they
,aye desired. and when have spoker
..h,t | know was in their minds
has been delightful to see how th'
onsciences and purposes of free me-
everywhere responded.
"We have merely established ou,
:pht to tho full fellowship CT thos'
,eonles here and throughout the worl'
vho reverence the right OF genu'n
liberty and justice.
"You have made me feel very muc'
4 home here, not merely by the de
.;Ghtful warmth of your welcome, ou
,lso bv the manner in which you haV
oode me realize to the utmost the IN
+;n5a+e community of thought an
soal vhic., characterizes your peopl
ond +he great nation. which | have tn
honor for the time to represent.
"Your welcome to Paris | shail a
xavs remember as one of the unlqr
.,d ;nlvpirine experiences OF my III
nd while feel that you are mono
ing the people of the United States
s -, ,erson. I shall nevertheless carr
away with me a very keen person
qualification IN looking oaeN up'
those memorable days.
eD.,,;+ mo to thank you from