The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-14

household were being assigned to
their quarters the crowd outside the
4 grounds of the residence was growing
in numbers and the cheering was in
cessant There were many American
soldiers and sailors in the press.
Even Fersette Was Ready.
The Presidential baggage had pre-
ceded the guests. and Mr.. and Mrs.
Wilson found their things all unpack-
ed and ready for them.
Georgette, the maid Of Princess
Murat, was already in MrE wilson's
i suite. ready to attend her wants.
After the dust of travel had been
removed the President received the
I committee which came to escort him
TO EIysees Palace, where, at an off
cial luncheon, President Poincare
| welcomed the American executive to
France.
| President Poincare said:
POIncaIre's Address.
| 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 philosophy delighting in
the solution of universal laws from
particular events, the eminent states
man who had found a way to express
the highest political and moral truths
in formulas which bear the stamp of
Immortality.
| They had also a passionate desire
to offer thanks. in your person. for
the invaluable assistance which had
| been given spontaneously during this
/ war to the defenders of right and lib
erty.
Even before America had resolved
| to intervene in the struggle, she had
shown to the wounded and the win
dows and orphans of France a solicit
tude and a generosity, the memory of
T, which will always be enshrined in our
| hearts. The liberality of your Red
Cross. the countless gifts of your fell
low citizens, the inspiring initiative
of American women, anticipated your
military and naval action, and showed
| the world to which side your sympa?
thies inclined. And on the day when
you flung yourselves into the battle.
with what determination your great
people and yourself prepared for
united success!
Steady Stream of Youth.
"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 al
lied armies were able to submerge
the enemy under an overwhelming
flo wof divisions. And in an effort
for more than a year, a steady stream
of youth and energy had been poured
out upon the shores of France.
No sooner had they landed than
your gallant battslions. fired by their
chief, General Pershing, flung them
selves into the combat with such n
manly contempt Of danger, such a
smiling disregard of death, that our
longer experience OF this terrible war
often moved us to counsel prudence.
They brought with them, in arriving
here, the enthusiasm of crusaders
leaving for the Holy Land. 1t is their
right today to look with pride upon
the work accomplished, and to tell
themselves that they have powerfully
aided by their courage and their faith.
"Eager as they were to meet the
enemy, they did not knew. OF his
crimes. That they might know how
the German armies make war, i'll
has been necessary that they see
towns systematically burned down,
mines flooded, factories reduced to
ashes. orchards devastated. ca
thedrals shelled and fred-aIl that
deliberate savagery aimed to de-
stroy national wealth, nature, and
beauty, which the imagination could
not conceive at a distance from the
men and things that have endured
it and today bear witess to It.
'In your turn, Mr.. President. you
will be able to measure with your own
eyes the extent OF these disasters, and |
tho French government will communi- |
cate to you the authentic documents |
in which the German general stalk de- |
vcloped with astounding cynicism \Its |
program of pillage and industrial an
Inhalation. Your noble conscience
will pronounce a verdict on these |
facts.
Would De In Vain.
SHOULD this guilt remain unpun- |
ished, could it be renewed. the most
splendid victories would be in vain.
MIR. President. France has strug-
gled, has endured, and has suffered
during four long years: she has bled
at every vein; she has lost the best |
of her children; she mourns for her
youth. She yearns now, as you do. |
for a peace of justice and security It
was not that she might be exposed
once again to aggression that she
SubHllNltN " SUI NUT W as
- in order that criminals should go
unpublished, that they might lift their
heads again to make ready for ne "
crimes, that under your strong leader
ship America armed herself and cross
ed the ocean.
Faithful to the memory OF La
fayette and Rochambeau, she came to
the aid OF France because France
herself. was faithful to her traditions
Our common deal has .riumphed. To-
gether we have defended the vital
principles of free nations. Row we
must build together such a peace a
will forbid tho deliberate and hypo-
critical renewal CT an organism aim
ing nt conquest and oppression.
Peace must InRke amends for the
misery end sadness Of yesterday,