The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-01-11
Lieut.. Leland P. Lovette Writes
Most Interesting Letter to His Parents


never before. The city was whole
heartedly EN- Fete" for the occasion.
This was evidenced by the tremendu-
GUS throngs which lined the streets
from the Bots Du Boulogne to the
stately residence which the Prince
Murat had given him for his stay,
The greatest evidence was In the
exultant tone, the sparkling eyes and
the complete abandonment Of crowds.
The worlds celebrated veterans,
the "Alpine Chasseurs, blue dew
lis as htey are called--was the guard
Of honor at the station, men who are
decorated with the Croix de Guerre
and six palms, which really means,
have won it six times, The
Cuirassiers or National Guard Of the
Republic led the way on jet black
horses, contrasting so wildly with
\ cir white helmets and flowing white
plumes. Then followed the Presi-
dent with the President Of France
and all the great notables of the
world. The remarkable yet touch
ing sight was to gaze down the
Champs de Elysee, and see along that
world famous avenue the long lines
of grimy, blue-coated "Polius" caked
with mud and gray with dust (for to
be effective they had their campaign
clothes on) scared by four years Of
hell; ranks thinned, and frinds and
loved ones gone, but living now in the
realization that their work was not
lin vain. 1t is indeed touching /
also thought Of how the Prussians in
1871 had marched this same route
where | stood, triumphing over the
then broken-hearted France. There
can be no greater privilege in the
world than that of seeing the light
that led these men on--the spirit of
this land and the unconquerable soul
of France.
saw the President round the Arc
de Triomphe from the Bots du Bou-
logne and the thousands Of people in
one great voice shouted give Will
SON." It was inspiring, 1t was Won
derfull / could never tell you all.
The crowds were as mad all night.
| was in the Boulevard until three
thirty, and then on the Place de
lL'Opera. The people were dancing in
the street, singing the French march
ing songs and waving the French and
American flags. The "Polius" drag
ged large German guns through the
streets, girls and boys astride them,
laughing and cheering.
Then on the morrow went to the
historic Hotel de Vile, where Wilson
was made a citizen of Paris, and
heard the ancient and honored words
which were bestowed upon him.
Then just back of the Hotel de Vile,
he saw the first ravages Of the Hun,
the beautiful church Of st, Gervais,
which was shelled on Good Friday,
last, by the Big Berthas, and where
innocent women and children were
killed. The crowds still were wild
with excitement, and their fervor had
by no means abated. That night
went to the Grand Opera and saw the
immortal Romeo and Juliette. It is
useless to say that the music was so
vibrant, so fervent and inspiring that
was as if in an enchanted land,
while resting in the largest and most
noted theatre in the world.
left Paris tired and happy, yet
with the true realization that / had
viewed the greatest fete of the
worlds history; feeling in my heart
that the great sacrifice, the unending
battles on French soil, the country
whose very vitals were ground out,
whose precious blood was spilled and
who, to the smallest child, has felt
the pangs of sorrow and want; but
whose sacrifices were made for all
alike, and was made to feel as Ben
jamin Franklin said, Every man has
two Mother Countries, his own and
France"
Devotedly,
LELAND.