The sun., 1918-07-15
GARDEN ROCKS
THOUSANDS
CHEER FRANCE
Brass Bands Drowned Out
in Tumult of Shouts for
Beloved Ally.
STATESMEN SHED TEARS
Bastile Day Celebration Is
Marked by Speeches by
World Famed Orators.

1t isn't too much to say that perhaps
the air quivered no more violently around
the Bastile on that great day in Paris
l29 years ago than II did in Madison
Square Garden last night when, at tho
apex OF a day Of glorious tribute to
France, a tall young man wearing the
horison blue Of the French army and
noted throughout the world for his sing
ing sang with splendid fervor Frances
and now in a way our own-'La Mar
seillaise."
Some place of in the uproar that
came from the heads and hammering
heels and hearts Of 10000 enthusiasts
one vaguely heard sounds which hinied
that the combined brasses and drums
OF the French military band and the
naval band from Pelham were still try
ing to crash forth the refrain. Far to
the left Of the speakers platform the
black eyed, blue and white clad sailors
from a French warship stood with
muskets and bayonets in faultlese
alignment
The tricolor and the Stars and Stripes
danced like sun flashes on waves above
the heads Of the shouting thousands.
Police girls and khaki clad motor corps
girls almost--not quite. but almost
forgot all rules of military formation
as they looked out with dazzlingly
bright eyes on the massed ecstasy that
rocked the Garden rafters.
An Ecstasy of Applause.
Nurses in feckless white waved and
shouted from the galleries that reached
to the semi-twilight near the roof.
Garibaldi veterans in scarlet, Greek SOL
diers and sailors. lads in the blue OF
France and khaki Of our own army. Scotch
and Canadian kilties. hilarious. heroic
Belgians. English Tommies. Serbian vet
Grams. American jackies with eyes alignt
with happiness. plain humans In muft-
together they sent their shouts to the
highest heavens acclaiming their love
and admiration for the nation that said
and still says. They shall not pass"
And down upon the mad, glad scene
gazed thoughtfully the learned states
man who represents France in the United
States. and back Of hin, stood French
men. old as we'll as young. with the
little marks upon the sleeves of their
coats which showed that they had
walked up to death unafraid on the
battlefelds OF the home country. Theii
chests heaved and their faces radiated
happiness, even though tears welled
from their eyes as the shouts rose tc
them from the close packed representa-
tives Of all the decent peoples in the
world.
Then again when the magic name oil
Foch was mentioned and the thousands
heard read from the platform the op-
timistc words of the mighty French
strategist as cabled by him to America
expressly to be read to the throng which
the Committee of Allied Tribute &c
France had gathered in the Garden once
more the already perforated atmosphere
was ripped to shreds
Applaud Foch's Message.
After four years Of struggle the plan,
OF the enemy for domination are
stopped sentence alone In Gen
Foch's cablegram was enough to test
the solidity Of steel rafters already ir
danger of cracking under the strain.
"He Uhc Hun) sees the number Of hii
adversaries increase each day. and the
young American army bring into thu
battle a valor and a faith without equal
is not this sure pledge Of the definite
triumph OF the just cause?"
il was. All that part Of America and
her allies that could be jammed within
hearing Of the French Ambassador. ]. j
Jusserand, when he read Gen. Foch'i
fad In at nf In mi n
answer. And the answer banged forth
tr voIume sufficient almost to be heard
over in France by the General himself
he hadn't been making so much nois'
In his own immediate neighborhood Will,
banging lead and gas and hell fire into
certain folk in need Of his doses.
1t was a meeting there in the CROWDED
Garden last night which was worth!
windup OF a great day. For once. un
doubtedy for the first time. New Yorl
and the nation had taken unto itself thu
national holiday OF another country ant
had made II not something approaching
our own Glorious Fourth but a day tina
was right up neck and neck with olt
Uncle Sans own birthday OF freedom.
AirpIanes Observe Day.
Airplanes had whizzed across th
skies in and around Manhattan and ha'
dipped toward earth and water to Eipl
with hair raising speed beneath tn
graceful spans of the bridges stretching
from Manhattan to the boroughs be
yond. A siivery dirigible, guided b.
navy men. swan through the skie
throughout the late afternoon and evel
when falling darkness threatened the al
skipper with loss OF guiding marks o'
his homebound trip.
In parks. along Riverside Drive. II
halls from Tottenville to The Bronx
furthest north the flags of the Unite'
States and France had futtered morn
ing. noon sand evening as distinguishes
orators told of the glories that ar
frances and OF grandeurs still to come
Brass bands brayed. there was tn
march Of tramping feet. the President o
the United States had sent his Secretar.
OF the Navy to read personal tribute I
France. which in its old age had foun
virile youth again.
Greetings huttered on leanets from tn
skies as the airpianes skinned on high
men and women In Broadway restau