The sun., 1918-12-16


actions OF statesmen, that all the old
paraphernalia OF the diplomatic sys-
tenn, which no doubt was suited to the
days when purely political and self
ishly dynastic interests were at stake,
will be swept away and their place
taken by new principles of frank. out
spoken discussion inspired by broad
ideals. They hope Mr.. Wilson's activ-
ity will make Il easier for the con-
ference to be a real conference on
peace and not a meeting OF men whose
governing idea is to prepare for peace
but whose policy at the same time
might be largely governed by
thoughts OF the next war.
Mr.. Wilson's notes and public utter
ances have inspired the French masses
with deep faith in upright honesty
and American firmness in her desire
10 gain more than victory out of the
war.
The mystic ambiguity of the phrase
freedom of the seas" concerns them
little directly. but educated opinion.
which is anxiously awaiting some au-
thoritative illumination Of the Ameri-
can attitude and policy on the question
OF sea bower, is following the develop
ment of this question in the press and
on platforms with very close attention.
TOR to no Frenchman would any peace
be welcome which did not perpetuate
the friendship among all the Allies.
particularly between France, the
United Safes and Great Britain.
Parisians. although famijariDd
with Mr.. Wilson's features. were not
prepared for the broad happy smile
with which he acknowledged the
crowds. acclamations and with when
he changed their attitude of sympa-
thetic curiosity into one of almost
personal friendship.
ovation in Place de la Concorde.
In crossing the Place de la Concorde,
the great square where the revolu-
tionary guillotine proclaimed by blood
and terror principles which the peace
conference will have to work out in
diligently. Mr.. Wilson got yesterday
perhaps the most grandiose impress
sion of the feelings of France toward
him. On the great statues represent
ing the chief cities of France were
rlustered enterprising and excited hu-
manity. On the head of the now Joy
full statue of Strasbourg an agile
American was busily waving the Stars
and Stripes.
The German guns, which still stand
in picturesque groups around the
Egyptian obelisk. formed a grand
stand for the cheering guttersnipe, as
well as for the respectable gray haired
bourgeoise. young and old, alike, will
ing to risk their limbs for a better
sight Of their country's guest.
The Monceau quarter is one of the
handsomest in Paris. 1t has been al
most entirely rebuilt in recent years.
The spectacle here was extremely
impressive. Every lamp post had its
cluster of men and boys. Well dressed
men were seen to hurry with ladders
which they placed against one an
other in the form Of an inverted V so
the women folks and children, might
see Young France was taken up by
kindly poilus and gravely seated on
their backs and hanging on the hori-
zon blue skirts, had splendid view
Of the proceedings.
New Page in History.
The anxiety to let the children see
was almost pathetic, as 1t was thought
they were about to turn over a new
page OF history on which they them
selves would play part. II is impos-
slble for human lungs to roar the word
'vive" as one can "hurrah." but every
soul In the crowd was quivering with
enthusiasm. The President must have
felt It.
no ND ~ Co do In, -,
"tout Paris" in the broadcast sense
men, women and children literally in
, millions. The spirit of this crowd was
one of keen sympathy and curiosity,
anxiety to see the man the nation de-
lights to honor. from whose efforts il
is confidently hoped that lasting peace
will ensue.
In the afternoon and evening the re-
spectful pleasure shown at the mo-
ment of arrival developed into frank
and rollicking gayety. The boulevards
echoed to a late hour with the laugh
ter and cheers Of q thousand groups OF
men and maidens.
The peoples minds went back twen-
ty-five years to the first Partisan man.
Hesitation OF this kind when Admiral
Avallane and officers of the Russian
squadron came In 1893 TO return the
visit of the French battleships to
Kronstadt. Then Paris went wild with
Joy. semi-defliant, semi-hysterical joy
That was the beginning OF the French
rebirth and faith in victory. Yester-
days JOY was, on the contrary, JOY in
victory achieved, with France reunited
in the calm certainty that peace shall
make the trials and humliations OF
the past like an evil nightmare that
Is over.