The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-05

Joicing lasted well into the night, and
the boulevards presented the animated
scenes of the evenings OF tho signing Of.
the arniistlce ana the peace treaty.
Leaden skies dimmed the color but
not the enthusiasm Of Independence
Day In Paris. which was celebrated to-
day as never before In history Indeed.
with all the French public offices and.
sehoois closed for tho day. there was
every sign that the French people had
cheertully adopted the Glorious Fourth
as an extra holiday of their own.
Bordeaux Grects PershinG,
General Pershing to-day received con.
gratulatory messages from several cities,
OF France in honor of Americas Inde-
pendence Day. The Mayor. OF Bordeaux
telesrapiied:
with enthusiast applause the star
spangled Banner, acclaims It once more
on this new anniversary, which COM
memorates the victory of General PERISH
ing and his gallant army"
The decorations for the celebration
OF the signing OF the peace treaty were
In place. These were- reinforced for to-
days occasion by thousands of Amerf-
can flags.
After the military review Hugh G.
Wallace. the American Ambassador, and
distinguished company proceeded TO
the Picpus Cemetery where Mr.. Wallace
laid wreath on the grave of Lafayette.
1t was here that Capt, Andre Tardieu.
who was chairman of the committee in
Charge. announced that on Memorial Day
next year monument executed by
Barthoiome. the sculptor. would be I'M
yelled In honor of American soldiers who
have died on the battlefields of France.
In the afternoon virtually the entire
American colony met at a reception
given by Ambassador and Mrs. Wallace
at their home In Avenue d'Eylau. where
the traditional American hospitality was
extended. .
In voicing Americas tribute to Lafay-
cite Ambassador w aiIace said
Il stnud here to-day where SO many
Americans have stood before me and in
reverence ana devotion place a wreath
upon the grave of Lafayette. The act itself
Is simple, hut could do nothing more
perfectly representative OF American
sentiments. n liz as II my country
stretched her hand across the sea and
set loving tribute before the shrine of
our best friend. II is most hitting that
we should come to France and seek out
the resting place OF Lafayette. OF all
great FTencnfnen he Is best known 10
us, better known in America indeed than
lie is in France. He Is but ono Of
your heroes. To us ne II the knight in
shining arrnor who came in the hour of
darkness to help us In our need. No
child Is born among us but learns to
Ink his name with washington's and in
manhood he revercs the nero OF his
youth.
When our armies came across the
ocean to defend the liberty that France
herself had won they bat sought to re-
pay sacred debt; yet the debt re-
mains joyful burden and bond OF
union for all time between two great
peoples. Those who are blessed with
liberty best deserve II when they share
it with their brothers, for what they
give returns again to increase a COM
mon store.
As we now greet a world at peace
we note that the cornerstone of the
freedom which has come to Europe Is
the example which was set in America
long years ago. 1t is the new evangel and
as Lafayer-~ beteld II then. so now we
raise 1t where al, mankind may see"
Gen. Pershing. speaking at the Cham
Der of Commerce luncheon to-day, said
You have lived close to the battle
lines. You have passed through the dark
period of 1918. when YOU counted the
days until American efforts should de-
velop. You have seen the tide OF battle
turn.