The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-12-26
PRESIDENT TELLS
YANKS OF PEACE
NEGOTIATIONS
Declares There Is Complete Har-
mony Between U. S. and
the Allies.
WORD OF CHRISTMAS CHEER
Also Speaks at Reception rendered
Him at the Hotel De Vile in Chau-
mont-Says American Soldiers
Didn't Come as Strangers.

American Headquarters in the Field,
Chaumont, France, Dec. 26.-There is
complete harmony between the United
States and the allies upon the basic
principles that will form the founda-
tion of the peace which will write
finis to the greatest war in history
and, it is hoped, to all wars.
Views Are the Same.
Such, in substance, was the message
Of Christmas cheer, which Woodrow
Wilson, commander in chief of the
American army, conveyed to 10000
American troops gathered about him
in vast wheat field near Humes,
some twenty miles from here, in his
speech Christmas day.
The president said that the leading
allied statesmen so far have voiced
the same views upon the peace cOndi-
hOns as himself.
Guest Of Yanks.
The president was the guest of the
Yankee" division, which has been in
France longer than any other fighting
unit of the American army. He held
a review of thousands Of American
veterans boys who turned the
tide in the great war. He was visibly
moved and highly pleased with the
appearance of the doughboys.
The presidents reception at general
headquarters eclipsed all expectations.
"Wilson luck" which has become pro-
verbal, held the weather in check and
made 1t behave" despite the threat
ening symptoms
The president was plainly moved
and in his address, responding to
"Black Jack" Pershing's speech Of
welcome, ne displayed deep emotions.
The general, who has just inspected
the army Of occupation on the Rhine
had hurried back to headquarters to
be "on the job Coupled with the
pleasure of seeing the American vet
erans of some of the greatest battles
of the war face to face, the president
had the qualification of being told by
General Pershing that all is well on
the Rhine, where thousands Of other
American boys are on the watch.
The scene was one never to be for
gotten. The president stood bare
headed on the reviewing stand, 1anked
by General Pershing. Behind them
sat Mrs Wilson.
In eloquent words, and with a tone
that surged forth from his very heart
of hearts, with an emotion that has
hofn n1-in hu
heatled master of rhetoric, the presi-
dent praised the valOr Of Americas
troops anC bespoke the blessings Of
God
II can from the bottom Of my heart
say, God bless your" said he, and
here he stopped short for a moment,
manifestly struggling with something
in his throat.
What Pershing Said.
General Pershing said:
''Mr. President, and Fellow Soldiers: ::
We are gathered here today to do
honor to the commander of our arm
les and navies. For the first time an
American president will review an
American army on foreign soil, the
soil of sister republic beside whose
gallant troops we have fought to re-
store peace to the world.
Speaking for you and your COM
rades, / am proud to declare to the
president that no army has ever more
Loyalty or more effectively served its
country, and none has ever fought in
nobIer cause. You, Mr.. President,
by your confidence and by your sup
port, have made the success of our
army, and to you as our commander in
chief. may 1 now present the nations
victorious army
President Wilson then spoke as fol
lows:
General Pershing and Fellow Com
rades: I wish that I could give to
each one of you the message that /
know you are longing to receive from
those at home who love you
81 cannot do that, but / can tell you
how everyone has put heart into it.
You have done your duty, and some
thing more. You have done your duty
and done it with spirit which gave
1t distinction and glory.
"And now we are to hail the fruits
of everything. You conquered what
you came over for, and you have done
what it was appointed you to do.
know what you expected of me. Some
time ago a gentleman from one of the
countries with which we are associ
ated was discussing with me the moral
aspects of this war, and / said that
If we did not insist upon the high pur
pose which We haze accomplished the