Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-12-09
POINCARE IS
IN METZ TODAY
Throngs Of People Cheer
! French President and
Other Officials.

Metz, Sunday, Dec. S.-After giving
hearty greetings to the French troopa
three weeks ago, Metz today received
President Poincare and representa-
tives of every branch of the French
government. The enthusiasm shown
was more than significant.
In the first surprise at again find
ing themselves French, the people OF
Lorraine were unable to express their
emotion. They now ave become Ia
miliar with French uniforms and
French martial music has been heard
every day since the first entrance of
General Mangin's army.
The visit of President Poincare and
ment meant more than military occu-
patton. The people Of Metz looked
upon it as a sort Of official entry into
possession of the city. They approved
Of it by the presence of a vast throng
that continually cheered President
Poincare, Premier Clemenceau, Mar
shals Joffre, Foch land Petain and
Pershing who were included in the
official party that assembled here to-
day.
All the bunting in Metz was flying
when the presidential train pulled into
the station a little after 8 o'clock. The
streets we're as crowded as it was
possible to allow in view Of the space
required for the passage of the Off
cial party.
The girls of Metz. wearing their
national costume were banked on
both sides. of the street from the sta
ton to the Esplanade. Behind them
were packed men and women carry
ing the French flag and wearing arti-
fetal tri-color bouquets in default OF
real flowers.
Shouts acclaiming the president, the
premier and the general officers could
be heard from the Esplanade long be-
fore their carriages appeared In sight
All around the square of the Espla-
made were great grandstands while
filed the windows, giving the visitors
a hearty welcome. Marshals Joffre
Foch and Petain and Generals Perish.
iEg, Fayolle and Gouraud received the
warmest greetings when they were
recognized by the great throng.
A notable feature was the presen'
tation of the baton Of a marshal Of
France to General Petain, announce
ment of whose elevation to the rank
Of marshal was made last month. The
crowd gave a tremendous cheer wher
the president handed the baton to thu
marshal and another as Premier
Clemenceau advanced to give thu
noted soldier the accolade. But thu
y. enthusiasm which seemed to hav'
reached its limit, took another up
ward bound when President Poincar'
embraced Premier ~Clemenceau. Thu
ceremony took place on the esplanad'
in front of the statue of Marshal Ney
The 131st regiment Of the 33rd di
vision of the American army wa
drawn up on one side and the famous
French marines in front. OtheA
French troops formed the other sid
Of the rectangular space.
The American troops led the lin
during the review and the Sta
spangled Banner vas wildly cheeret
as the regiment marched by in col
umns of eight in faultless style. TIL
marines Of Dixmude, whose fame hal
reached Metz eve during hostilities
provoked fresh outbursts of cheering
as did the passage of various section
of the troops in review.
The societies Of Lorraine-bands o
men and women. young and old
filed through the streets during tn
morning singing the Marseillaise.