American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-11-22
METZ GIVES WARM WELCOME
TO LIBERATING Akhf'
Entry OF French Army Under Marshal
Petain a Historic Event Consecratlng
the Victory OF the Allies-PeOple
Wild With JOY.

The historic event accomplished al
o'clock Tuesday afternoon, when
Marshal Petain, commander OF the
French armies. made his entry INTO
Metz. the great stronghold OF Lor-
raine and the pivot of Germany's Ell
fort 10 crush France, more than any
other happening helped consecrate tne
victory of the allies in this war Inc
occasion. in which the French COM
mander figured for the first time as
a marshal of France, also gave rise
10 one of the most picturesque uen-
onstrations ever carried out by tne
people of Lorraine.
From early in the morning all the
roads leading to Metz were cro"oeu
with Lorrainers on their way TO tne
citv to raise their voices there TOT
Marshal Petain and for France. Peo-
ple unaccustomed to any other tongue
than the German for years began
manv days ago brushing up their
knowledge Of French, in preparation
for this occasion, and although the
majority of the population undoubteo-
" has a perfect acquaintance with
no other tongue than German, lit
the streets during the day.
Statues Pulled Down.
Other things German had disap-
neared overnight, including the stat
ues of German rulers, which had been
bauled down by the citizens William
had toppled from his equestrian
monument. while Frederick III. who
for many long years had pointed
menacing finger at France from tne
pedestal upon which he stood, had
come down with rope around MS
neck Former Emperor William ii
was still left to figure grotesquely as
statue on the facade of the cathedral
The hands had been chained during
the night and into them had been put
a band with the inscription: DC
transit gloria mundi."
Signalling the approach OF the mar
shall and his cavalcade, airplanes pe-
gan flying over the town ABOUT l
o'clock and the air was soon tull OF
miniature tri-color flags which the
airmen dropped.
little later the cannon of the forts
around about the city began firing a
salute of 300 rounds. The famous
cathedral bell. the motto on when
reads, Il announce justice" gave the
signal for the other bells of the city 10
peal forth a welcome TO our liberia
tors" as the people of Metz call the
French and the allied armies.
Cheer Petain and Staff.
When Marshal Petain appeared
mounted on a fine white charger. and
followed by the entire general staff'
with American and British officers
attached. a shout went up that
drowned the whir of airplanes flying
overhead, and the crowd surged for
ward. breaking the line of guards in
places. to get a glimpse of the victorl-
Gus commander of the French armies.
Still mounted. Marshal Petain took
I'D his position in front of the statue OF
Marshal Ney. to review the troops
comprising the 39th division of in
fantry. with its artillery under General
Pougin. a detachment of the 1st corps
of cavalry under General Feraud,
other mounted troops under General
De Boissieu. two escorting squadrons
from the 1st Moroccan division and a
detachment OF tanks.
The staff of the tenth army. which
General Mangin was prevented from
heading because of the accident he
had met with. was lined up directly in
front of the marshal. and General
Fayolle. commanding the central
group OF armies stood near the COM
mander in chief just in front of the
Ney statue. which the various superior
officers saluted in passing.
People Wild With Joy.
Enthusiastic cheers of Long live
France!" greeted every flag as it ap-
peared The dignity of the reviewing
ceremony. however. prevented the
people from giving free play to Their
ioy. The case was different in their
contact with the troops in the streets
after the column had left the Esplan-
ade. Then there were three calumns
two Of which we're Of citizens. march
ing on either side. hand in hand. with
the soldiers in the center.