Evening star., 1918-06-29
FRANCE OBSERVES
HOLIDAY JULY 4
Cheers Greet Announcement
of Plan in Chamber of Dep
uties-Tribute to U. S.
OBSERVANCE IN ITALY
By the Associated Press.

ny tH6 Associated Pfe09.
PARIS, June 2S-Cheers and shouts
Of enthusiasm greeted the announce
ment made in the chamber of depu-
ties this afternoon that the 4th of
July would be regarded as a legal
French holiday. All party lines were
obliterated and the plaudits were
unanimous from all parts Of the am
phitheater. 1t was one of the most
impressive demonstrations that had
been seen in the French chamber of
deputies since the beginning of the
war.
Forewarned that the motion would
occupy the first place in the order of
the day, the deputies had gathered in
larger numbers than at any time
since the beginning of hostilities,
with the possible exception of the
assemblage a on June 4, when Premier
Clemenceau made his famous speech
regarding the German offensive on
the Chemin in-des-Dames.
Premier Is Present.
Premier Clemenceau. Foreign Min
ister Pichon. Etienne Clementel, min
lister OF commerce: Edouard Ignace,
under secretary for military Justice
and pension, and Capt. Andre Tardieu,
bead of the general commission for
tranco-American war matters, were
present when the session opened
preparations of the chamber of depn-
ties presented the resolution asking
that the French people unite in cele-
brating the American holiday.
After referring to the messag ge
cans to France in November, 1915.
Deputy Demour continued: 'Tt is the
{uty OF France to tell her American
friends: You celebrate your Inde-
lendence day July the Fourth. hence
torth we shall likewise celebrate that
late as a token of our fraternal and
ndissoluble friendship"
Chamber Will Not Meet.
Amid great cheering, the chamber
decided to refrain from holding a SEES
sion July A.
Deputy Maurice Bokanowski. as
cending the tribune. asked that
veyed to the French people request
ing them to Join in the celebration
for the sake of a sister democracy
that 50 nobly came to help France.
Deputy Henry Franklin-Bouillon.
mentary conferences. said:
"A year ago the first American SOL
dier disembarked on our shores. Now
there are approximately a million in
France, and another million is ready
to cross the ocean-and President
Wilson has said that the American
effort will not be limited to 5000, 900
fighting men,"
This mention of President Wilson's
name caused storm of applause.
Americans Show Mettle.
Continuing, NJ. Franklin-Bouillon
said: ''In recent battles the American
soldiers already have shown their
mettle and incompatible courage"
Jules Pans, minister of the interior,
speaking on behalf Of the government,
said: THE government is eager to
join in the proposition, as it had in
tended to take the initiative itself, in
OF July celebration will be the ex-
preston Of the unanimous sentiment
OF friendship that the French people
have for their American brothers"
Deputy Franklin-Bouillon then read
letter from Gen. Pershing that de-
clared that America will fight to the
last man for the triumph of right
The chamber here arose as one man,
turned toward the diplomatic gallery
and cheered William Graves Sharp,
the American ambassador. who ac-
knowledged the ovation by bowling
repeatedly.
France Will Not Forget.
Paul Deschanel. president of the
chamber. in greeting Ambassador
Sharp, said: "The sublime example
that America, with its valiant army, is
giving the world in the cause Of lib
erty France will not forget"
The deputies, after cheering this
statement at length. passed on to the
routine order of the day.
This is the first time that the
French chamber Of deputies has been
unanimous on any question in it's
whole history" said a socialist deputy
to the Associated Press. He is known
as one Of the most bitter opponents
of the Clemenceau ministry, but he
added: when America is mentioned
parties disappear and there remains
only France
Celebration in Italy.
FLORENCE. italy, June 2s-Prep-
arations for the celebration of the
Fourth of July, when the municipality