The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-05
PARIS

Paris, July 4.-France today is aflutter with the Stars and Stripes and Ameri- can Independence Day is being observed as a national fete day. Schools are closed and business is at a standstill. Parades, public meetings and various other kinds of celebrations are being held in all the other important cities of the country. Several cities. such as Lyons, Brest and Paris are naming avenues and squares after President Wilson.
 Parisians are taking the holiday more gaily than any since the beginning ot the war. All government offices, banks. the bourse and thousands of business buildings and private houses are dec orated with the American colors.
 The music halls are giving speciai American numbers and in the reStaI- rants American dishes predominate. The day in the capital will be terminated with organized public manifestations.
 Paris, July 4-There was a historic scene at the luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce today when the Earl of Derby. the British ambassador, and William c. Sharpe. American ann bassador, clasped hands in celebration of Americas Independence day. It was the first time since the United States became a nation that Britirh am ba ssador had attended a commence ration of the event.
 "Even if we had not been allies" said Lord Derby, in commenting on his ap- pearance q should have come
 Judge Walter Berry, who presided at the luncheon, reiterated Americas de- termination to carry on the war to a successful termination. claiming neI- ther annexation nor indemnity.
 His reference to the launching of 500, 900 tons of shipping in America today was received with uproarious cheering. We celebrate, but we don't loaf" he said When he mentioned the name of Marshal Joffre, the en- thusiasm was such that the marshal had to arise and bow repeatedly
 After Judge Berry had read let ter from General Pershing. expressing regret that his urgent military duties did not permit him to be present, Gen. Tasker H. Bliss brought message from the American army He said:
 we have been called a nation of idealists. Our boys now are shedding
 
 teau Thierry in defense of those ideals"
 Ambassador Sharpe thanked France briefly for the great manifestation in honor of Independence day, and con- tinued:
 Lord Derby, representing England. has broken an unwritten rule which has lasted from time immemorial, with respect to an English ambassador at tending the celebration of our indc- pendence. I congratulate him. con- graduate the great country which he represents. It is in Keeping with the British spirit of fairness. We know now why England is so great. I well come Lord Derby here in the name of America
 The audience arose. cheering Lord Derby and shouting for a speech. Lord Derby demurred at first, but the cheers would not down. Finally, he said:
 T had always thought that America meant fair play. but it is hardly fair to call on me on such short notice to reply to such an eloquent tribute as has been paid me by Ambassador Sharpe. As in the days of my youth, a teacher spanked me saying, You will thank me later for this say the best licking we ever got. It has done us both lot of good. We are grateful to you because that licking taught us how to treat our children; it is the reason why we now have Australia and Canada. and even South Africa, fighting beside us today.''