The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-17
WILSON TELLS HOW
AMERICA WAKENED
Delivers Address in Reply to
Greetings Of President
of Paris Council.
SYMPATHY WAS AROUSED
"0ur Hearts Moved With Our
Resolutions" He Tells the
French Dignitaries.

French Dlgn1tarleS.
PARIS, Dec. 16.-In his address at
the City Hall to-day in reply to the
greetings OF Adrien Mithouard, the
president of tho Municipal Council,
President Wilson said:
Your greeting has raised many
emotions within me. 1t is with no
ordinary sympathy that the people OF
the United States. for whom 1 have
the privilege OF speaking. have viewed
the sufferings OF the people OF France,
Many OF our own people have been
themselves witnesses OF those SUI
ferings. We were the more deeply
moved by the wrongs OF the war be-
cause we knew the manner in which
they were perpetrated.
Il beg that You will not suppose
that because wide ocean separated
us in space we were not in effect
eyewitnesses OF the shameful ruin
that was wrought and the cruel and
unnecessary sufferings that were
brought upon YOU. These sufferings
have filed our hearts with indigna-
ton. We know what they were not
only, but We know what they signified,
and our hearts were touched to the
quick by them. our imaginat.ons
filled with the whole picture of what
France and Belgium in particular had
experienced.
Enemy's Practices Shocking.
when the United States entered
the war, therefore, they entered II
not only because they were moved by
a conviction that the purposes Of the
Central Empires were wrong and must
be resisted by men everywhere who
loved liberty and the right, but also
because the illicit ambitions which
they were entertaining and attempting
to realize had led to the practices
which shocked our hearts as much as
they offended our principles.
Our resolution was formed because
we knew how profoundly great prin-
ciples Of right were affected, but our
hearts moved also with our resolu-
ton.
You have been exceedingly gener-
Gus in what you have been gracious
enough to say about me, generous far
beyond my personal deserts, but you
have interpreted with real insight the
motives and resolution OF the people
Of the United States. Whatever in
fluence 1 exercise, whatever authority
I speak with, derive from them.
know wha, hey have thought, l know
what they have desired. and when /
have spoken what hnow was in their
minds it has been delightful to see
how the consciences and purposes Of
free men everywhere responded. We
have merely established our right to
the full fellowship OF those peoples
here and throughout the world who
reverence the right OF genuine liberty
and Justice.
Finds Community of Thought.
You have made me feel very much
at home here, not merely by the de-
lightful warmth OF your welcome. but
also by the manner In which you have
made me realize to the utmost the in
innate community OF thought and
ideals which characterizes your peo-
pie and the great nation which l have
the honor for the time 10 represent
Your welcome to Paris shall always
remember as one OF the unique and
inspiring experiences of my life, and
while feel that you are honoring the
people OF the United States in my per-
son. I shall nevertheless carry away
with me a very keen personal gratlh-
cation in looking back upon these
memorable days.
Permit me to thank you from a full
heart"
In addressing President Wilson NJ
Mithouard said:
~ have the honor. in the presence
OF the President of the Republic. TO
present TO you The Municipal Council
OF Paris. whose Interpreter 7 am IN
welcoming the chief OF the great ma
ton whose aid, arriving so oppor-
timely. brought us victory. and the up
/ right man whose conscience fashioned
his policy and whose diplomacy was
made OF loyalty"
welcomes Mrs. Wilson.