The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-26
CITY GAILY DECORATED
Doughboys From Every
COign of Vantage Cheer
Him OH Arrival.
NOW ON WAY TO LONDON
Partakes Of Christmas Dinner
with Soldiers Billeted at
MOntigny-le-ROi.
Bp thc Associdted Press.

~ thc AUocidted Press.
CHAuMoST. Dec. 25.-President
Wilson received a most cordial well
come to-day from the people of Chau-
mont, town which has been closely
associated with the history of the
American Expeiitlonary Forces in
France ana is now the headquarters
of the commander in chief. 1t Is the
town from which Americas part In
finishing the war was directed.
The Presidential train, which left
Paris at midnight, drew into the
Chaumont station at 8 o'clock this
morning. Gen. Pershng, Gen. Wir-
bel, the French officer commanding
the zone; VI. Fossien, Prefect of the
Department of Marne, and NJ. Levy
Alphandery. Mayor of Chaumont,
were on the platform to receive the
President and Mrs. Wilson, who, after
responding to the cordial greetings,
passed through salon hung with red
tapestries and flags to the courtyard.
where a company of the 1u9th French
\ Infantry and company of the 1929
American Infantry were drawn up to
render honors.
Dense Crowds Line streets.
The exterior of the station and the
courtyard had been decorated for the
occasion by American soldiers with
she French and American colors.
After passing the guard of honor in
review the President took his place
in motor car and the party proceeded
to the town hall Dense crowds
massed behind the lines of guards In
olive drab. The streets were brilliantly
decorated and hung with banners
bearing inscriptions OF welcome.
AS the party passed through the
people of Chaumunt joined in a con-
tlnuous aCclamation of the President.
All this part of France lay under q
gray cloud and a drizzling cold rain
| was falling when the Presidents train
J drew into the station. The troops as
serted the weather was exceptionally
fine as compared with the usual brand
Of weather ard every one had broad
| smile leaning above his mud be-
spattered uniform
Things We're in motion early for the
review Whom the President raised
the curtain of a window in his car
the first person he saw was strap
ping American doughboy on guard.
who Gravely came to salute. The
President smilingly gave him
Merry Christmas" and made him the
happiest soldier in France. 4 French
troop train passing gave a "Vive Will
son"
DoughboyA Were Elsewhere.
As his train moved in the President
saw on every hand monuments OF
Americas participation in the war.
There We're great piles Of supplies
everywhere and American soldiers
swarmed on locomotives, box cars
tree tops and every point Of vantage
to get a glimpse of the President and
shout "A Merry Christmas"
The folks back home would have
called il the dreariost Christmas Day
in history. But it Was the greatest
one for these American troops and
evidently a very happy one for the
. President. lie was ready for the big
day" and looking forward to every
, feature. He remarked that the rolling
hills and wooded ridges looked not
unlike the Virginia hills where no
was accustomed TO ride and play golf
when at home.
Address TO ChRumont CiHEenA
, In response 10 an address presented
to him AT the Hotel de Vile soon after
his arrival President Wilson said:
Il feel that 7 have been peculiarly
J honored in the generous reception you
have given me, and it IS the more de-
lghtful because il 50 obviously comes
from the heart, And I cannot but be-
lieve that IL Is an instructive response
10 the feeling that is in my own breast
! because | think that even you who
feel contact with our soldiers cannot
hut realize the depth and sincerity Of
the feeling OF the United States for
France.
1T is an ancient friendship. but II
has been renewed and has taken on a
new youth. II is a friendship which
is not only tentative but one based
upon a communion of principle.
You have spoken very generously
" and beautifully Of the relations which
have sprung up between yourselves
and our soldiers. That is because thew
> came not only to associate themselves
with you. as the champions OF liberty
hut they came with personal affections
in their hearts for the people OF
France. and it must have been that
e which you realized. They did not
e come as strangers in their thoughts.
They brought with them something
that made them feel at homo the mo-