The evening world., 1918-12-16
'REFEcT OF THE SEINE PAYS
TRIBUTE TO WILSON,.

NJ. Moautrand Prefect OF the Seine,
addressing tho President. said:
Mr.. President, day memorable
beyond all Is that on which. for the
nrSt time, n chief OF the great Am
erican Republic crosses the threshold
OF our Hotel de Vile. None among
your illustrious predeco ssors. not even
those most deeply venerated for their
genius and their virtues. come to sit
for an instant at the hearts Of the
people OF Paris. Thus in mourning
the death OF George Washington and
Abraham Lincoln, our fathers had
folt deep regret that they could rem
der but a posthumous homage to the
great mon who had been the object OF
their enthusiastic yeneration. The
Joy which this visit gives us Is OF
rare and precious sort.
To-day VIC need no longer seek to
imagine your features for We sec
them. nor the sound OF your voice.
( for We hear It. 1t Is given to us to
express In your very presence our
gratitude and our admiration,
! AS the tSrriblc drama has dragged
IT. bloody way over land and sea,
your generous heart has beat In uni
son with the misery suffered, and has
taxed itself to flnd succor for unhap-
piness.
How can we count over the in
Vulnerable hcrefts OF American
charity 10 vigilant, 30 methodical
and so wise? Through this charity,
the suffcrinEs OF our prisoners have
been alleviated. and the spectre OF
famine has been turned back from
the invaded regions OF Belgium and
France"
NJ Moautrand then paid n high
tribute to the American Red Cross
, and other war workers.
"We have seen the women Of Amer
lea enrolled by millions in this army
J Of human pity" he continued. "Th'
, dobt we owe them will not be wiped
out by centuries OF gratitude. and W,
bow respectfully before those ladies
who personIfy them at this momen
: and who do us the true honor to share
, with you our hospitality.
"Yet while you have uiven your
self passionately to the task OF
assuaaino the Ills OF war, your
E noblest title 10 glory will yet be
0 that you stood up as the cham
plon OF the cause OF justice.
How many things seemed to hol,
you apart from the dreadful conflict
Your intellectual training as lawyer
historian and thinker the peaceful
lltt OF NiuuY III WnlNn, 70 use you
own phrase, you had known no othe
labor than the world of books, tn
traditions OF the country which ha'
elected you to guide and direct II; tn
admirable farewell message Of Wash
ington, warning his successors Il
power against any participation /
such struggles as might break out 1
Europe
well might Germany believe
that you would remain the pris-
oner Of these noble formulae. But
her Iawless militarism multiply
irg tho crimes against the riahts
Of man, was to force the nation
pre-. .erinently paeifst to draw
the sword from tho seabbard In
NJ redoubIina tho blows OF his AFRO
CANT sword upon the rock ~ your
patience, ,'the barbarian called for
he the deVourina Hame in which he
~ has been irredeemably consumed
~ when the measure OF black dee,
ran full. you sounded the call
" arms. And by the miracle OF yo,
p burning speech. by tho ascendancy
n- your Indignant conscience and yo
sovereign philosophy. you drew oi
hundred millions OF men 90 davo
>. themselves, soul and body. 10 the u