Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-14
GLAD HEART OF FRANCE PLLSATES
WITH JOYOUS WELCOME TO WILSON

Continued from Pase One
on the occasion of previous visits of
neaos OF foreign States. The weather
was favorable, for although the morn
ing was rather gray one, Il early gave
promise of decided Improvement.
The scene at the station, where the
Presidents train came In, was beau
TRULY set. The platform was carpeted
In red and palms adorned the broad
stairway.
Play American Anthem ,
The band of the Republican Guards
was playing the Star Spangled Banner"
as the Presidential train, decorated with
the stars and Stripes. drew into the
station. Immediately the artillery gave
voice and salute Of one hundred guns
announced the Presidents arrival
PRESIDENT Poincare greeted President
Wilson warmly as the latter stepped
from the train, the French executive
firmly grasping him by the hand will
liam Martin, who is attached to the
Foreign Office as introducer Of ambas-
sadors. presented Premier Clcmenceau,
who welcomed President Wilson in Eng
lish. saying he was extremely glad to
meet him.
Mr.. Martin then introduced the other
members of the French cabinet. A girl
in an Alsatian costume stepped forward.
courtesied, and gave Mrs Wilson a
great bouquet OF orchids
After all the members Of the receiv-
ing party had been presented President
Poincare conducted President Wilson to
the top of the station steps where
Madame Poincare was awaiting them.
Chorus Like College Yell
President wilson's appearance on the
broad carpeted and palm-bordered APP
proach to the station through glittering
caused the vast throng to cheer and
shout. Their efforts were taken up by
such masses of peopie as the French
capital rarely has seen.
The people, crowded thickly upon the
grassy slope of the old Paris fortifica-
tions, could he heard crying in English: :
welcome Wilson Long Live Wilson =
or the great chorus like a college yell,
shouting, Wilson, Wilson !" g.,
During the ride from the railway sta
ton to the Murat house the President
was smiling. and almost continuously
he took off his hat and bowed to the
right and left. Waves Of human voices
answered his salutation, broken by the
sharp bark of guns at intervals of fif-
teen seconds.
The procession left the Porte pau-
phine just few minutes after the Pres
ident arrived. The scene was impress
sive, as the crowds cheered and then
uncovered reverently as the bands play
ed the Star Spangled Banner A
large thrOng was gathered at the Arc
de Triomphe, where the procession turn
ef down the Champs Elysees, continuing
down the thoroughfare until the bridge
Alexander III was reached. After
crossing the Seine the procession moved
past the building of the Chamber of
Deputies and again crossed the Seine
to the Place de la Concorde.
Americans Greet Their Chief
"A tremendous throng was gathered
there ana set up mighty roar. AS
tie Ir cession approached the center
of the city the enthusiasm seemed to
become greater and-when the Church
of the Madeleine was reached the ap-
Dause attained its greatest height Pres
ident Wilson seemed greatly affected as
he passed the Church of the Madeleine.
fer the American societies had gath
cred there ana they raised character
istiC American cheer as he went by,
ending with tiger
The procession reached the Prince
Murat mansion at exactly 1O:45 O'Clock.
1t was estimated that nearly two million
people had been in the crowds through
which the presidential party had passed.
President Wilson's arrival at the Murat
residence was the signal for the holsting
of the American flag. amid loud cheers
from the crowd. President Poincare
and Premier Clemenceau took leave of
the presidential party here and the es-
corting troops returned to their bar
racks.
POincare's Address
In his address to President Wilson,
given at the official luncheon today,
President Poincare said:
Mr. President: Paris and France
awaited. you with impatience. They
were Eager to acclaim in you the il
lustrious democrat whose words and
deeds were inspired by exalted thought,
the philosopher delighting in the solu..
tion Of universal laws from particular
events, the eminent statesmen, who had
found a way to express the highest
political and moral truth in formulas
which bear the stamp of Immortality.
.They had also a passionate desire to
offer thanks, in your person, to the great
republic of which you are the chief, for
the invaluable assistance which had been
given spontaneously. during this war,
TO the defenders of right fand liberty.
with France Before War .
Even before America had resolved
to intervene in the struggle she had
shown to the wounded and the orphans
of France solicitude and generosity
the memory of which will always be
enshrined in our hearts. The liberality
Of your Red Cross, the countless gifts
of your fellow citizens, the inspiring
initiative of American women, antici-
pated your military and naval action and
showed the world to which side your
sympathIes inclined. And on the day
when you flung yourselves into the bat
tie. with what determination your great
people and yourself prepared for united
success! .-.- -..
Some months ago you cabled to me
that the United States would send ever
increasing forces until the day should
be reached on which the Allied armies
were able to submerge the enemy under
an overwhelming flow of new divisions.
and, in effect, for more than a year, a
steady stream of youth and energy has
been poured out upon the shores Of
France.
Most Daring In Battle
mo sooner had they landed than your
gallant battalions~ fired by their chief,
General Pershing, Hung themselves into
the combat with such manly con-
tempt of danger, such smiling disre-
gard of death, that our longer expert
ence of this terrible war often moved
us to counsel prudence They brought
with them In arriving here the en-
thuSlasm of crusaders lea WING for tha