New-York tribune., 1918-12-16
Welcome to Wilson OutgIoaus
Ponlp Of Napoleonic Days
Even Clemenceau, Who Thought He Knew Paris,
Is Amazed and Declares Fervid Greeting Is the
Greatest Ever Accorded in History of the World

recalled dozens of brilliant occasions
in years gone by when Czars, Kings
and Queens without number and Presi-
dents not few arrived at this same
station under exactly similar circum-
stances of republican etiquette.
Suddenly the astounding, big, now
fact in history rushed into ones con-
scousness-t day, for the first time
since France began, her great guest
was an American President, man clad
in simple citizens dress, but endowed
with far vaster power and preroga-
tives than any autocrat that ever lived.
Lined up magnficently, the sturdy
democracy of the Western world had
visibly joined hands before our eyes
with the centuries and European ma
tions in the fight for right.
| Wilson Shows Delight
The picture Paris presented through
out the route was something never
Seen before and probably never will
be seen again. Paris, seen under any
conditions and whether seen for the
first or the hundredth time, always
produces thrill. Therefore President
Wilson. who was seeing it for the first
time and under more extraordinary
conditions than ever has been the lot
of man, and 10 have it all for him
self in the Dargaia, might naturally
have experienced an overwhelming
emotion.
He stood while the roar of the well
come almost drowned out the sound
of the guns, and the face of the Presi-
dent wore q smile of radient delight
as he stepped into the first carriage,
bowling repeatedly, waving his hat joy
~usly in an embracing gesture tow
ard the crowd. Nine Poincare, Mrs.
Wilson, Miss Wilson and Nine. Jusser-
and were in the next carriage.
The third carriage bowled out into
Avenue du Bois to an accompaniment
OF mighty cheers that, while no louder
or more spontaneous than that greet
ing the first carriage, was even more
trenzled and more prolonged.
Gay Day for CIemenceau
For in that third carriage was the
grand old man. not only of France,
but of the Allies and of the war-Cle
menceau, who lay back in his seat
laughing with delight, wiping tears
from his eyes, bowling and saluting
his poilus, who lined the way, waving
both hands simultaneously at the
crowd and looking twenty wears
younger than his actual age.
Although the roar of welcome was
one sustained shout all the way to the
Hotel Murat, from my carriage, which
followed the procession Immediately
behind the file of cuirassers, | could
feel the pulslng of two distinct waves
first, for the President of the United
States, who sent vital aid to the Allies
at the vital moment, and, second, for
the French Premier, who "made the
war" when all seemed lost and who did
so much to win it.
The crowd, French troops. mounted
lancers, with pennons flying; grim
bearded polus of the line, in horizon
blue; Moroccans and Alpins chasseurs,
VINO saluted with their eyes glistening
WIN PRIDE and joy, as we'll as with
' rhelr rifles; the flags, the banked
masses of people on every balcony win
dow, steps of the Chamber of Deputies:
Boche cannon and Boche tanks in the
Concorde, and clear to the tops of
SDtras bourg, Lille and other statues.
10 other favorable conditions was com
blned the perfect "Wilson weatherv
which the President is credited with
taking with him wherever he goes
making the spectacle dramatic. gor-
geous and forever to be remembered in
the great panoramic pictures of his
tory. ''''
overpowering Spectacle
IL was empowering and in manv
respects wonderful. 1t was p tremnn,
dous climax to the cycle of solemn;t;es
staged IN Paris preparatory to usher
ing IN world peace. And as for tho
centre Of it all, he was so overcome
on his arrival at the Hotel Murat ihat
ne decided to retire alone until The
Elysee. at 'i'e
Mrs. Wilson was of the same disnosi-
ton. Her colored maid, who accom-
panied her on the George WASHINGTON
was sought out from one of the rea,
carriages of the procession and The
house settled down to an hour of re-
pose. -
Heavy weather at sea, the great re-
ceeptlon at Brest, and the long train
ride preceding the Paris reception we've
severe strain on even such a vipor-
Gus constitution as that of the Presi-
dent, who appears to be in the best
physical condition for the work he has
ahead of him. ''''
On the trip from Brest several navv
men revealed another reason whv tbe
President desired to land at that mort
other than that it is the natural lana
ing place for speedy voyage. This
second reason was that in Brest harhor
just where the George WASHINGTON
anchored Yesterday John Paul Jones's
1r'gate received the first salue TO the
! Stars and Stripes ever given bv for
elgn nation.