Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-10-30

LATER came the centemisl celebration
Of this event TodaY's demonstrations
surpassed both of these.
All the inhabitants of Lille and
many people from the surrounding
territory-scores of thousands
thronged the stree 5, which: we're be-
declted with the flags OF the allies, TO
return thanks to their deliverers and
10 cover the war-scarred veterans
with flowers. Throughout this vast
asscmblage moved a spirit of I'M
bounded gratitude that reflected an
the faces of the people in smiles of
welcome that mingled with tears of
joy.
Lille could have done no more. She
gave freely from her heart and no vic
tors could have had a more noble re-
ward than that given TO the British
who. when Lille had been freed, chs
valrously stepped aside and requested
French troops to be the first to enter
the capital of the department of the
north.
The division which was selected by
the British government to represent
the army consisted of the territorials
who played such gallant part in driv
ing the invaders from the city. These
troops marched from one side of the
metropolis TO the other, amid wildly
cheering throngs.
The main ceremony was held in the
center of the city, about the statue
of the Spirit of Resistance" of 1893,
where the German officers were pa
rading but a brief time ago and inn
pressing their arrogance upon the UNI
happy inhabitants.
Mayor Heads Committee.
Gathered to receive Lieut.. Gen. Will
liam n. Birdwood and his staff were
all the digni aries of the city, headed
by the mayor, Charles De La Sale.
II had been announced that President
PoinCare would attend, but he was not
present, much TO the disappointment
of his people.
Ii was an event which will write it.
self indelibly on the pages of his
tory. Only twice in the past century
and a quarter has this premier city
of Flanders witnessed such an i'm
pressive celebration as that of today
which centered about the exchange
| Of flags between the city of Lille ano
| the fifth army.
This morning found Lille dressed
| for the occasion. Thousands of allied
| flags covered the buildings of the en-
tire city and everywhere the red
| white and blue were predominant
I the national colors of France, Grea
| Britain and the United states!
billie had possessed but few Amer
lNcaft. flags, but the good housewives o
the city had applied themselves IN
dustiiously to making the Stars ant
Stripes and the sister republic acros
the sea was@generously represented
Grand place, where the ceremonie
were held, was like n brilliant seen
from an opera SOverhcad a grea
fleet of British airplanes sWirled, Tx
so many silver birds.
Cheers Greet British.
Long before the ceremony began q
1890 o'clock, the scene was crowde
with people and the streets throug
which the troops were TO march wer
denselv lined. AS General Birdwoo
rode into the city at the head of hi
troops the crowds broke loose in
tremendous ovation. The members G
the British staff were showered wit
bouquets and were thorough
smothered by the avalanche of rose
thrown by women spectators.
The mayor, with Project A. REGIME
of the department of the north, mu
nicipal officers, the bishop of Lille an
other eccesiastics, greeted the Brit
ish forces. The men were all vett
rams. Their uniforms showed tn
marks of bitter fighting but their EN-
blems and buttons shone in IN su
like gold. They were loaded dow
with floral gifts.
Mayor De La Sale, in a moving &C
dress, voiced fervid thanks for tn
city's deivcrance and then presen;e