The sun., 1918-12-27
WILSON'S CHRISTMAS
my GREATEST DAY.
President Is Moved as He
Speaks to American Battle
Veterans at Langres.
uE Dimes WITH OFFICERS
plan to Mess With Enlisted
Men Fails-Stop Cars
to Get Flowers.
Bv the Associated Press.

cvArMoNT, Dec. rs (delayed) .-Presi-
dent Wilson to-day pledged himself to
,bs American troops in the field to at
tain peace which would preserve the
fruits of the sacrifices they have
made.
Standing with barred head in field
rear Iangres, over which Cesar had
marched with his legions centuries
spo the President told 10000 Ameri-
can infantrymen that, now they had
done their part to win the ideals for
which America entered the war. they
could depend upon him to see that
they were preserved.
French Cheer and Cheer.
The President came up from Paris
20 pass Christmas with the men who
have had such a great part in the win
ming of the war. Historic old Chau-
mont, headquarters of the American
Army, did itself proud in its reception.
In its homely way it rivalled Paris
and in the depth Of its sincerity 1t
equalled IL.
The oldest inhabitant was out with
his aged old silk hat, the prettiest lit
lie girl was out in her native costume.
The streets were lined with American
and French troops and the sidewalks
were choked with Frenchmen cheer
ing themselves hoarse.
The moss grown roofs Of the houses
we're loaded with folks from the coun-
tryside who cared nothing for the raw
Ca!ll wind or for the occasional rain.
Gray cloudbanks shut out the sun
md the ground was sodden. But there
was no dampness IN the welcome. Chau-
mont simply went wild. The American
troops, muddy. cold and soaked, but
Happy, seemed just as enthusiastic as
tie country people.
Tablet COmme I'm crates Visit.
Tie Presidents train arrived at 9
O'Clock in the morning and the party
went at once to the City Hall. where
there was a formal reception. some
speeches and the presentation of flowers.
Less than a tenth of those invited could
crowd into the small room. which al
ready had In place tablet commend
rating the Presidents visit. There were
speeches, all in French, by the General
commanding the district, tho Mayor and
prefect
The President nodded approximately
Ind smiled from time to time. Just as
lie began 10 make his reply the military
Sand in the square outside broke into
me strains OF The Battle Hymn OF the
Republic" and the President spoke 10
the dramatic accompaniment of the
notes Of the famous old American
Fighting hymn.
The preliminary ceremony soon was
over, and the President and his party
took motor cars to Langres, where Sc
lected troops from six divisions were
waiting to be reviewed. They were
gathered in field which might be Xix.
ened geographically to the battlefield OF
Gettysburg 1t lies on a gentle slope be
'ween two elevations. with a range Of
hills on either side and a road running
Elong the top of one Of them.
Just as the caravan came up on th'
Urest overlooking the troops a very ole
Trench woman standing at the roadside
waved frantically at the passing carr
20 take in a bouquet she wished 10 CIV,
20 Mrs. Wilson. The long line OF car
rad swept on, showering the dismayeC
Cd woman with mud. when the Presi
dent caught the situation and, stoppins
the line, sent a Colonel back through
lie Tluu 10 set lile Aduy hONcIS
Pershing Presents Army.
temporary boardwalk had beel
built over the quagmire Of the reviewing
:i"ld 10 the stand. and there the Presi
cent took his place surrounded by Gen
Pcrshing, Mrs. Wilson. Rear Adm ra
G-ayson, Gen. Liggett, Gen. Alexande
E7d Gen. Hale, comma nding the Twenty
sixth Division. A raw wind swept tn
Jace with a vicious bite, and while tn
land was playing the members OF tn
Residential party were glad to staml
time.
Gen. Pershing opened the ceremon.
WIN brief speech In which he pre-
souted the victorious army TO tn
President
The President addressed the troops a
MY fellow countrymen," and a silence
which no characterized as the quiet o
i.Ace. settled down over the spot al
every man OF the 10000 stood at atten
ton and strained to catch the Presi
DENTS words
As the President spoke he was un
Interrupted, except for the occasiona
rnghing OF a handsome black hors
RIDDEN by General. which stoo
camping In the mud. For a moment a
lie spoke the sun broke through a rif
The President spoke for about nv
r!nutes, earnestly and as loudly as h
could. Probably half the troops hear
Inn They all seemed TO recognize tn
Historic Significance OF the occasion
There stood before them an American
President tho first in history to review
an American army on foreign sol
There stood President for whom n
IKE privilege had been available sine
Lincoln stood on the firing line witt
lis troops north of Washington. Ger
lainly no other President of moderi
times had reviewed 90 large a body o
hght!ng men fresh from the battlefields
Every Man a Battle Veteran.
Langres is not a BATTLEFIELD It Is no
devastated section of France. AS
matter OF fact It has not seen a battl
ior more than 100 years. It Is one o
the portions OF this country saved iron
the rsvages OF the invading hordes b,
me men who were reviewed by tn
PRESIDENT there to-day.
That this reviewing place does no
stand on the rim OF the crater OF a vol
Caho did not diminish the significanc
OF the event. For every man takinI
part IN the review had seen action
war crosses were plentiful, the me-
.aa been through all and were veteran
u every sense OF the word.
mere was an unmlstakable flash o
wholesome pride in the Presidents ey
hAd catch In his throat as he locke
al 'hem and remarked what a privileg
would be to have been one OF them.
me moment the President finishe
we review was on--men. guns, horse
ehd dogs The headquarters band be
NAHtN1 IA