The free press., 1918-12-19
HEART Of FRANCE
OPEN FOR WILSON
AMERICAS PRESIDENT GIVEN A
DEMoNSTRATIoN WITHOUT
PARALLEL IN HISTORY.
GREETING UNPRECEDENTED
Ardor, Enthusiasm and Affection Of
the French People Is Lavished
Upon Wilson AS the Repre-
sentative of America.
Paris.-Paris was more enthusiastic.

Paris.-Paris was more enthusiastic'
ally American than America itself.
President Wilson came to Paris last
week and opened the floodgates Of
Frances heart.
All the ardo.', enthusiasm and affec.
ton of the French people was lavished
upon him as the representative OF
America.
No such demonstration has occurred
before in the history of France, ma.
ton naturally emotional. The French
saw in him the spokesman of the coun'
try they aided to establish its inde'
pendence; the leader of the country
allied with them in this modern cru.
sade-and their ovation came from
their hearts.
"You will see in minute what Paris
thinks of you, Mr. Wilson" was Pre-.
mier Clemenceau's greeting to him.
| And the president saw.
The special train bearing the presi-
Dental party, which left Brest the pre-.
yious afternoon, drew into the Bois de
Boulogne station at 10 o'clock Satur-
day morning.
The booming of guns throughout the
city heralded it's arrival. The vast
throngs massed about the station and
along the Champs Elysees sent up a
tremendous cheer, then waited in ST.
lence for the appearance Of Wilson
himself.
President Wilson was the first mem
Der of the party to leave the train AS
he stepped onto the platform hundreds
of persons who packed the windows on
both sides of the station began to
shout: "Vive Wilson!" "Vive PAmer-
lque!" Their cheers were redoubled as
President Poincare stepped forward
and clasped Wilson's hands in both OF
his, saying in English:
"Mr. President, l am very glad to
meet you"
Poincare then presented the presi-
6ent to Nine. Poincare. Mrs. Wilson
stepped down on the red-carpeted plat
form, provoking a rewened outburst OF
cheering. She was presented to Presi-
dent and Nine. Poincare, and the lat
ter handed Mrs. Wilson a bouquet OF
her favorite orchids bound with an
American flag. Next were presented
Premier Clemenceau, the presidents
of the senate and chamber of deputies
and other officials.
The French president, linking his
-, 1od l1ttnr
far end of the platform, where the Re-
publican Guard was drawn up in rigid
line at present arms. The guard band
played "The Star-Spangled Banner
and ia Marsellaise" while the presi-
Dental party stood at attention.
After the inspection the party went
upstairs to the waiting carriages.
President Wilson and, President Poin'
care entered the first one, Mrs. Will
son and Nine. Poincare and Miss Mar
garet Wilson were seated in the sec
ond. Other officials and members OF
the American party also entered car
riages.
The cortege left the station and
swung into the Champs Elysees. Then
1t seemed as though the skies were
shattered by the reverberation of the
great shout that went up.
All France appeared to have crowd
ed into Paris. There were thousands
and thousands of people everywhere
Thickly sprinkled among the civilians
were the khaki and horizon-blue uni
forms of doughboys and poilus. And
everyone was bent on giving vent to
his enthusiasm at the top of his voice
There were flags and flowers every
where. Paris was dressed in gala at
tire, for gala occasion.
All newspapers here publish edito
rials welcoming President Wilson tc
France and assuring the American
president of the hearty reception
awaiting him in Paris.