Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-16
French Applaud
DemOcrdcy's Chief

Confined from Page One
is OF course, subject to the pleasure
of the inter-Allied conference when it
assemblies to complete the details of
the program.
1t is evident, however, that the
Presidents time will be so greatly
occupied that the visit to Italy, which
was at first expected to be made dur
ing the latter part of December, can
not take place before the middle of
January or later.
To Attend Receptions
President Wilson will attend a meet.
ing of the French Academy on Thurs
day and reception will be accorded
him by the members. according to
newspaper announcements. He will
also attend reception by the France
America committee. He will give
banquet to President Poincare and
eminent politicians and diplomats on
Saturday evening. Covers will be laid
for seventy.
The American President will not be
present at the fetes in honor of King
Victor Emmanuel of Italy, who arrives
Thursday. according to the Echo de
Paris, but it is probable that he and
the King will exchange calls.
President Wilson passed his first
Sunday in Paris by going twice to
shurch, laying a wreath on the tomb
Of Lafayette and having brief con-
ference with Premier Clemenceau, an.
other with Colonel. Z. NJ. House and
a long talk with Herbert C.. Hoover,
the American food administrator, who
gave him the latest information Of
food conditions in Germany
When in the morning the President
accompanied by Mrs. Wilson and Ad.
miral Grayson and by Secret Service
men, went to the American Presby.
terian Church, in the Rue de Berri
drums We're beaten at the Murat resi-.
dence and a detachment of republican
guards presented arms Crowds in the
streets cheered the President on his
way.
That he would go to the church in
the Rue de Berri was known to only
few of the American colony, who had
guessed that the President. being a
consistent churchgoer. would choose
church of his own denomination.
Hears Plea For Idealism
The Rev. Chauncey w. Goodrich. the
pastor, took his text from the ninth
verse Of the ninth chapter of Isaiah.
He dwelt on the necessity Of impreg-
mating political and c:vi! life with
idealism and showed how the evolution
of humanity was reaching the last
stage in the constitution of a society
of nations.
In the afternoon President Wilson
went TO a church of Mrs. Wilson's de-
nomination, as is the custom in Wash
ington when he goes twice on Sun.
day. The church selected was the
American: Episcopal Church of the
Holy Trinity, the bishop of South
Carolina officiating.
Visited Lafayette's Tomb
The President visited the tomb Of
Lafayette in the Picpus Cemetery, in
the southeastern section of Paris,
while returning home after the morn
ing church service. No ceremony hal
been arranged at the cemetery, and
President Wilson went accompanied
only by Brigadier General Harts. n
Secret Service operative. and a French
officer assigned to him as personal
aide.
Entirely unannounced the President
drove to the old Picpus Cemetery,
where the amazed aged gatekeeper
was almost too flustered to unlock the
gates when he learned who his caller
was. .. ...--.. .
The President, removing his hat, ell
tered the tomb carrying a large floral
wreath. AS the President placed the
wreath on the tomb he bowed his head
and stood silent before the resting
place of the famous Frenchman who
helped America in her fight for lib.
erty. He made no speech whatsoever.
but on his personal card President
this in Crrintinn.
In memory of the great Lafayette
from fellow servant of liberty.
The news of the Presidents visit
spread rapidly to the convent nearby,
and as he left he passed through lines
of aged nuns who came out to pay
their respect to the American chief
executive.
BY the time Mr.. Wilson left Lafay.
ette's tomb to return to the Murat
residence. all the residents Of Paris
apparently had turned out in the hope
of getting a glimpse Of the President.
1t was remarked the Wilson luck was
continuing, for the SUN broke through
the murky clouds for the first time
in days and began to dry up the
muddy streets. The sun lit up the
city in all it's fluttering banners and
flags.
The parading happy crowds smacked
of Belmont Plateau or North Broad
street, in Philadelphia, on Sunday
afternoon, while the wide spaces. and
the parks gave just touch Of Wash
ington. Doubtless, the President felt at