New-York tribune., 1918-07-05
u. S. Troops Wildly Wei
coined in March ON Ave-
nue. du Wilson
President Poincare
Leads Celebration
All French Nation Joins in
Paying Homage to
American Allies

PARIS, July 4.-Paris turned out to-
Toay as almost never in it's history to
celebrate the Fourth Of July. The
French capital not only extended
rooyal welcome to the Americans here,
but made thorough holiday of tho day
on its own account
Enthusiasm reached q climax early
in the day When several thousand
American and French soldiers marched
through the newly dedicated Avenue du
President Wilson and on down through
famous streets to the Strassburg monu.
ment, in the Place de la aConcordc.
Crowds of people that jammed every
available inch Of space and every win
dow in the buildings along the line Of
march, on roofs and even in trees,
cheered themselves hoarse as company
after company of khaki-clad Americans
swung past to the stirring tunes played
by double band. The enthusiasm be-
came uncomfortable when the reg-
ments swung into view, for the ex-
ploits of the Americans in their re.
cent offensive on the Marne front have
endeared them to the French.
Opened Wilson Avenue
The ceremony of opening the new
avenue named after President Wilson
took place at $3.50 O'Clock, in the pres
ence of President Poincare and amid
the acclamations of an immense crowd.
Speeches were delivered by the Pres-
dent of the Municipal Council, the
President of the Senate, Antonin Du-
bost; the President Of the Chamber of
Deputies, Paul Deschanel. as we'll as
Stephen Pichon, the Foreign Minister,
and William G. Sharp, the American
Ambassador. The speakers dwelt upon
the significance of the intervention Of
America in the war and Of the unity
established among the Allies.
The procession of troops reached the
Place de la Concorde at II o'clock.
Meanwhile, airplanes performed over
head feats, to the delight of the spec
tators.
The first ceremony of the day was
a mass celebrated at 7:l5 o'clock in
the American hospital at Neuilly, at
which Father Klein offciated. Famous
singers sang the American and French
national anthems at this service.
A wreath Of roses was placed upon
the tomb Of Lafayette in the Picpus
Cemetery by II. Cleveland Coke, a
delegate Of the Sons of the American
Revolution. Empire State Society. Mr..
Coke placed similar wreaths upon the
statue Of Lafayette in the grounds Of
monument in the Place dIena.
A delegation of veterans of the War
of 1870 placed wreath on the statue
of George Washington. A speech eulo-
gizing Washington and praising the
efforts of America in this war was de-
livered by Joseph Sansboeuf, president
Of the Society of Veterans. After his
speech the flags of several of the units
were lowered in salute to the statue.
Schools were closed and business at
a. standstll. Parades, public meetings
and various other kinds of celebrations
were held in all the other important
cities Of the country. Several cities
besides Paris, such as Lyons and Brest,
named avenues and squares after
President Wilson.
Parisians took the holiday more
gayly than any since the beginning of
the war. All government offices, banks,
the Bourse and thousands of business
buildings and private houses in every
quarter were decorated with the Amer
lean colors. Cabs and delivery carts
were oruamented with little American
flags.
The music halls gave special Amer
lean numbers and in the restaurants
American dishes predominated The
day in the capital was crowded with
organized public manifestations
The newspapers were filled with
articles and pictures explaining the
meaning of the Fourth of July and cx-
pressing the admiration and grattudc
of France to AMERICA. Many of the
greatest writer's of France wrote spc-
cial articles on America and the an
niversary. Among them were Maurice
Barres, former Premier Panleve. Ga.
briel Hanotaux, D. Brieux and Ed
mond Rostand, who contributed poem
entitled "Helle."
Toulouse Had Notable Celebration
Toulouse had an especially notable
celebrations. feature of which was
proposal by the Municipal Council to
rrechristen the Place Toulouse the
Place du President Wilson. The Coun-
Gil is making an effort to obtain the
creation of an American Consulate in
Toulouse.
The Belgian army's celebration of
the Fourth Of July included an Off
cial salute to the American far.
Somewhere In Flanders" in the pres
ence of American officers, with the
American flag floating on all army
quarters, both at the front and in
the rear Of the line.
At Havre the celebration called for
visit by representatives of all the
Be lgian societies and by Belgian Off
cials upon Brand Whitlock, the Amer
lean Minister, for the purpose of ask
ing hlm to transmit to his government
the thanks and good wishes Of the
Relgians on the occasion of the Amer
lean national holiday.
H. Az NJ