Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-27
To Soldiers at Chaumont Taken as Keynote to Ad- dress, Indicating Objec- tives Favorable.

Chaumont, "Wednesday, Dec. 25.- fBy the Associated Press --Presi- dent Wilson today pledged himself to the American troops in the field to attain a peace which would preserve the fruits of the sacrifices they have made. Standing with barred head in a field near Langrea, oyer which Cae- sar marched with his Regions centur- ies ago, the president told 10000 American infantrymen that now that they have done their part to win the ideals for which America entered , the war, they could depend upon him to see that they were preserved. The president came up from Paris to spend Christmas day with the men. who have done such a great 1 part in winning the war. Historic old Chaumont, headquarters of the Amer ican army, did itself proud in it's re- ception. In it's homely way it rivall cd Paris, and in the depth of its sin eerity it fully equalled it.
 The oldest inhabitant was out with his age old silk hat, the prettiest little girl was out in her best gown The streets were lined with American and French troopsGand the sidewalks 1 were choked with French men cheer 1 ing themselves hoarse. The moss- grown aroofs of the hous- cs were loaded with folks from the country side who},cared nothing for the raw chill that swept over the land or for the occasional rain or the touch of snow.
 Cold, gray cloud banks shut out the sun and the ground was wet and sod- 1 den. But there was no dampness in the welcome. Chaumont simply went wild The American troops, muddy cold and sosked but happy. seemed just as enthusiastic as the country people.
 The Presidents train arrived at 9 o'clock in the morning and the party went at once to the city hall, where there was formal reception speech es and the presentation of flowers.
 Less than a tenth of those invited could crowd into the small room which already had in place tablet commemorating the presidents visit. There were speeches all in French. by the general commanding district, the Mayor and the prefect.
 The president nodded appreciative- ly and smiled from time to time. Just
 e he began. to make his reply, the '-'litary band in the square outside broke into the strains of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the pres ident spoke to the dramatic accom- paniment of the notes of the famous old American fighting hymn.
 The preliminary ceremony was soon over and the president and his party took motor cars to Langres where selected troops from six di- visions were waiting to be reviewed They were gathered in field, which might be hkened geographically te the battle field of Gettysburg. It lies on gentle slope between two ele. vations, with a range of hills on eitl1- CT side, and road running along the top of one of them.
 Just as the Caravan gained tho crest overlooking the troops, very old French woman standing at tht roadside. waved frantically at the passing cars. to take in boquet O. flowers she wanted to give to Mrs Wilson. The long line of cars hat swept on, showing the dismayed olt woman with mud, when the presi dent caught the situation, and stop ping the line, he sent colonel bacl through the mud to get the old lady. flowers.
 Continued on page four)