McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1918-12-20
HEART OF FRANCE
OPEN FOR WILSON
AMERICAS PRESIDENT GIVEN A
DEMONSTRATION WITHOUT
PARALLEL IN HISTORY.
GREETING UNPRECEDENTED
Ardor, Enthusiasm and Affection Of
the French People 10 Lavished
Upon Wilson As the Repre-
sentative OF America.

Paris.-Paris was more enthusiastic.
ally American than America itself.
President Wilson came to Paris last
week and opened the floodgates of
Frances heart.
All the ardor, enthusiasm and afsec.
ton of the French people was lavished
upon him as the representative OF
America.
No such demonstration has occurred
before in the history Of France, ma.
ton naturally emotional. The French
saw'in him the spokesman Of the couns
try they aided to establish its indie
pendence; the leader of the country
allied with them in this modern cru
sade-and their ovation came from
their hearts.
you will see In minute what Paris
thinks Of you, Mr. Wilson, was Pre-
mier Clemenceau's greeting to him.
And the president saw.
The special train bearing the presi-
dental party, which left Brest the pre-.
vious afternoon, drew into the Bots de
Boulogne station at 10 o'clock Satur-
day morning.
The booming Of guns throughout the
city heralded its arrival The vast
throngs massed about the station and
along the Champs Elysees sent up a
tremendous cheer, then waited in ST.
lence for the appearance of Wilson
himself.
President Wilson was the first mem
Der Of the party to leave the train. AS
he stepped onto the platform hundreds
of persons who packed the windows on
both sides of the station began to
shout: "Vive Wilson," "Vive lAmer-
iQue!" Their cheers were redoubled as
President Poincare stepped forward
and clasped Wilson's hands in both of
his, saying in English:
"Mr. President, ! am very glad to
meet you"
Poincare then presented the presi-
Sent to Nine Poincare. Mrs. Wilson
stepped down on the red-carpeted plat
, form, provoking rewened outburst of
cheering. She was presented to Presi-
dent and Nine. Poincare, and the lat
ter handed Mrs. Wilson bouquet of
her favorite orchids bound with an
American flag. Next were presented
Premier Clemenceau, the presidents
of the senate and chamber of deputies
and other officials.
The French president, linking his
arm in Wilson's, led the latter to the
far end Of the platform, where the Re
publican Guard was drawn up In rigid
line at present arms. The guard band
played THE Star-Spangled Banner
and 'iIa Marsellaise" while the presi
Dental party stood at attention.
After the inspection the party went
upstairs to the waiting carriages
President Wilson and President Poin'
care entered the first one. Mrs. Will
son and Nine. Poincare and Miss Mar.
garet Wilson were seated in the sec
ond. Other officials and members Of
the American party also entered car
riages.
The cortege left the station and
swung into the Champs Elysees. Then
It seemed as though the skies were
shattered by the reverberation Of the
great shout that went up.
All france appeared to have crowd
ed into Paris, There were thousands
and thousands Of people everywhere,
Thickly sprinkled among the civilians
were the khaki and horizon-blue uni
forms of doughboys and poilus. And
everyone was bent on giving vent to
his enthusiasm at the top Of his voice
There were flags and flowers every
where. Paris was dressed in gala at
tire, for a gala occasion.
All newspapers here publish edito
RAILS welcoming President Wilsol to
France and assuring the American
president Of the hearty reception
awaiting him In Paris.