The Washington herald., 1918-12-17
Ceremonies at City Hall
Elaborately Staged in !
His Honor.
TALKS WITH PREMIER
Visits Versailles and on Re-
turn Is Accorded Remark
able Reception in Paris.

Paris, Dec. 1S.-President Wilson to-
night finished playing the leading role
in the greatest celebration the
French capital has ever witnessed.
Today he was officially welcomed
TO France today as great European
Interrogation amid scenes unpar-
slleled in this city, the people still
celebrating his arrival. Huge throngs
are filling the streets. The Hotel
Grillen was besieged by crowds wait
ing to catch a glimpse of the Amer
lean officials.
The expression used by AdTion
Mithouard. president of the municipal
! council, while addressing the PresI-
dent in behalf of the city and the ma
ftion, it was accepted as meaning that
Wilson is regarded by Europe as the
enigma Of the peace conference.-the
man around whom the Interpretation
Of the various principles at issue will
be Centered.
Pays High Compliment.
NiithOUard's speech was on the oc-
Casion OF the official reception to the
President at the city hall. The French
official paid a >hiSh compliment to
Mrs. Wilson for her decision to ac-
company the President.
Wilson. in a brief address, thanked
Paris and France for the reception
accorded him. and paid tribute to
Frances part in the war.
He declared that America has estab-
lished its right Ito the fun fellowship
of these peoples here and throughout
the world who reverence the right Of
genuine justice"
Wilson, Poincare and their wives
appeared on the balcony of the city
hall Thousands of persons packed in
the square gave them an enthusiastic
ovation. As the cheering continued,
Mrs. Wilson threw down a bouquet.
There was a great scramble for the
pieces.
Motors to Versailles.
The President motored this morning
10 Versailles. where the peace treaty
will be signed. He briefly inspected
The palace and park.
On the way TO Versailles the Presi-
dents car was shOwered with flowers
by children. Rain began to fall when
the party was returning, but no in
convenience was experienced.
lnOElldS -NFlSOn rage, AIllDdSSduOE
to Italy. and Mrs. Page were the Will
sons guests at luncheon in the Murat
palace.
President Poincare. with a cavalry
escort. escorted President and Mrs.
Wilson to the Hotel de Vile for the
official reception. Tremendous throngs
Cheered them along the route.
Presented with Scroll
Following the ceremonies making
Wilson a citizen of Paris. he was
presented with a scroll, declaring his
citizenship. The president of the
council. on behalf of the city, then
presented Mrs. Wilson with a brooch
composed of an olive branch encrusted
with diamonds, superimposed on
which We're six white-enameled peace
doves At 3:3O this afternoon the
President and Col. House visited Pre-
mier Clemenceau at the foreign office
to repay the latter's call and resume
the informal conferences.
King Victor Emmanuel. of Italy,
will call at the Murat palace Thurs
day afternoon.
The visit Of Premier Lloyd George
Snd Foreign Secretary Balfour at the
Ind of this week, to be followed i'm
H-sdiately by the trip to the American
army. has necessitated postponement
of Wilson's trip to Italy until the
middle Of January.