The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-21
RICHMOND GIVES A
GREAT WELCOME TO
THE BLUE DEVILS
French Chasseurs Over
whelmed With City's
Hospitality.
SPEAK AT CAPITOL
Gov. Davis and Mayor
Ainslie Greet Valiant
Visitors Before
Multitude.

Got since the war begun has Rich
moud risen to such mighty pitches Of
enthusiasm. nor has she extended the
hearty ovation that greeted the
ninety-six French Blue Devils" that
paid the city a visit yesterday.
From the time that they allghted
from their special car at Fiba sta
ton at A. II. until they left at 8
O'Clock In tho afternoon. they were
showcred and overwhelmed with ova-
lions and "Nive Ia France" which.
they in turn, responded with "Vive la
AmeriQue.'
They were entertained by the Ro-
tarv club during their visit and they
were cared for in a royal manner.
Upon arriving, they were taken
strai Ehtway to the Business Mems
club. where breakfast. prepared es-
pecialjy for the heroes of France. was
served. ALVIN Smith and Henry
Schwarzschiid ted the singing of
American songs and hymns, TO which
The French chasseurs responded with
tumultuous applause
In turn the guests sang la Mar
setll&lse, ia a manner never heard
m this city before With all the fer
For and love for native land that has
received their utmost energy. they
rang out the national song of La
Belle France until the heart OF every
one present thrilled. And as the war
riors sang the air that has carried
them bravely into battle, they smiled
with the reinsurance that they are go
INK bsck-and with a vengeance,
Climax vt Capitol.
That is what they want--to go back.
At the climax Of the visit, which was
he4
spokesman said that the Blue Devils"
DO not want tho war 10 end too soon.
As Corporal Leonard Qrmerod the
PershinE veteran. who is accom- pany-
ing the chasseurs on their visit, as
serted: we hope that the war will
not be over in year and a half; the
fellows cannot give Germanw a suf-
1Cient licking in Iess than that time.
Thai is the way the Blue Devils
fee}, and they SO treasured the surg
ing number that gathered on and
around the southern portlco Of the
capitol building long before i ? O'Clock.
Attired In "a light blue, fuzzy uniform.
with the tan1-o shauter of the chas
seur turned At graceful angles. and
with their dangerous looking guns
shining in the sun~and their medals
the brave and stalwsrt Of France
marched steadily up to the Capitol
building shortly before ] ..
They we're escorted by the John
Marshall cadets, who had turned out
i'm tuildress. together with the rest OF
Inc student body. And The way these
school children greeted the French
men brought g!1dness 10 the visitors
eyes The girls gathered around the
rhasseurs and chaited with them with
heir Few phrases or the French lam
g2lage The girls hrorEht away many
trophies and souvenirs They got all
the roses that had been given TO the
visitors at the business Mems club
by Mrs. r e Tragic. The high school
girls also brought away several but
tons that the soldiers cut from their
uniforms,
Give Three and Two"
BUT the high school cadets with
their three and two" for the Blue
Devils and France. and the girls with
their fetching smiles and chatty
French, only reflected the spirit of
the entire city that greeted the men
of whom General Joffre said: One
should kneel before them"
Corporal Ormerod was the principal
speaker at the Capitol. He assured his
listeners that the American soldiers
are encountering no undue suffering.
nor are they being slain In entire regi
ments. but they are getting the best
of nourishment and receiving the best
OF attention. As 10 the man and
/ their spirit" he said. there is never
any difficulty in executing the orders
TO advance-they are too eager to
/ fight. The trouble OF the officers
comes In hating them, in holding
them back, for when they start--well
they always start straight for Berlin
Great applause GREETED this remark.
Governor Davis and Mayor Ansle
also expressed words of greeting and
assured the Frenchmen that Virginia
and Richmond are solidly behind the
war and will lend their every support
10 It's successful prosecution. AlvlA
NJ. Smith made IA speech that met with
no small amount OF applause. Mr..
Smith spoke OF thu German as IAN
educated criminal" You know what
an educated criminal is, and how he
has to be dealt with. Well, We havA
GOT to meet this Hun In the same
way" Mr. Smith also urged the crowd
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