The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1918-12-21

@7OR more than four years we have been
crushed, and during these four years
- France has battled above all with a
[&*3#&l heroism and ecldt which has forced
S the admiration of the universe. She
has suffered, but she has survived.
Her energies, regathered and galvanized, are
the guarding master of her soul and her flame
and she has stopped the storm which was to
curb her invincibility.
The Germans are crushedi Their thrones
broken down! France and her Allies are tri-
umphant! This victory crowns the sublime eff
fort of a people who could not die; who went
out grandly to prove themselves.
We recall an epoch not so very long ago
when, under the influence of the trumpet of
paciism, our country abandoned herself to the
illusion of eternal peace. Suddenly, a light
broke and showed the real conditions. The
Germans rushed in to annihilate France and to
arrogate to themselves a domination of the
world.
Then-Ah! Theni-Then, the tombs opened
and spirits came forth they open today while
the dead stand up. They do not stand to bat
tie, but to receive their recompense-to receive
the benediction of those who are the recipients
of the victory. To the soldiers fallen for their
country our imperishable membranes!
The Unsuitable Germany is in the ground: 1t
is their work. If the catdclySm wished by Ger
many, vibrating as a frenzied murderer, has
achieved an apotheosis it is to them that we
owe it.
A rapturous joy is in our hearts, where, how
ever, also live infinite regrets. The heavy at
ooDAO AdO ulodppCo1Cus vi tlt l1u6oII ut
ible confidence of the French the past agonies
have ceased to weigh. We fill our lungs to the
full with the air of victory. I do not know
whether there are any feeble consciences which
feel remorse; l do know that there is here no
place for remorse. This is the day of our hon.
or-of our Justification.
Fling out our colors-sound the bells of
France the d%aybreak is resplendant!
FRANCE! Our France! The France of our
ages! This day we have vanquished! France
has vanquished with the aid of the noble ma
lions associated with her on the side for right,
for justice and for liberty. We love well yes
terday-we love yesterday for her beauty, for
the suffering, for the war-like splendor. We
love what we have gained. All about is a ten
der and fervent feeling. To our protectors,
the head of the government who has delivered
us, and our soldiers-all honor. Down with
the hatesl All must be lovers on this day
when, on the defeat of Germany. our Poilus
lay the first stone of the new edifce-the edi-
flee of glory and security. With all our souls:
WYE la FRANCE!
i i s. * =
So speaks LA TOURAINE REPUBLI-
CAME, a journal of Tours, published this
morning. 1t speaks the hearts of the people, al
though in my poor translation l do not justice
to the wonderful spirit that you can read in
the French words themselves.
We had been waiting from hour to hour for
the news. All felt the result a %foregone con-
clusion. We knew that Germany had to sign
the Armistice. Rumors were rampant but the
first official word came in the form of a tele-
gram from the British, which we caught over
our wires. 1t read:
"BritiSh IL November Is.
Following telegram received from Ad-
vanced G. H. @. this morning. Begins:
Hostilities will cease at HOO today, the
18th. Troops will stand fast on the lines
reached at that hour which will be reported
by wire to Advanced G.. H. @. Defensive
precautions will be maintained. There will
be no intercourse of any description with
the enemy units until the receipt of in
,,o4inn n ~ II EI1TthnT n
lions follow. Acknowledge. Address all
Armies, Cavalry Corps and Advance Oper-
atoms, R. A. F. Report to all concerned.
Ends.
briskness and of contagious enthusiasm took
possession of the American and French SOL
diers and the civilians, and was soon to give
birth to a new and different life throughout
the whole city. All work stopped. Crowds OF
French civilians gathered in the streets where
could be seen also here and there wounded
French and American soldiers in great mani
festations of joy. AT midday flags fioated from
the windows throughout the streets. We saw
above all the French and American flags, but
occasionally the flags and colors of all our
Allies The official news which was awaited
from moment to moment was, as the French
said: Like a train of powder, and when II
came there came also the explosion of patrlotlc
ioy within all hearts,. The Avenue
&which leads from the barracks in which the
Headquarters of the American troops are hXed
and where l work since coming from the front
three weeks ago, to the Rue National, which is
the 18th Avenue of Tours, was literally black
with people. Groups of wounded french SOL
diers passed and sang 'Le Jour de Gloire est
Arrives! Young girls and boys and little chill
dren, their arms stretched high, waved little
flags and here and there a large flag. They
sang and danced. and forming rings around the
wounded soldiers, sang the same thing: lie
Jour de Gloire est Arrive-vIvE les POILUS!
WV la FRANCE!"
The American band, which is the band of One
of our brave Marine Regiments which so glori-
ously fought at Chateau Thierry, assembled in
front of the headquarters of the Commapdant
of the French 9th Region. The soldiers of the
9th Region have been very, very brave and
have sustained the highest traditions of the
French fighters. They fought at the User,
Marine, Somme, Champagne and at many other
places. There the band, with characteristic
American spontaneity, played La Marseillaise