Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-09
Peace Niaht In Paris

FCdIC 'N'SiiN w o. -
TO the Editor Ercntn0 Public LEDGER
Sir-Paris. wild and jubilant, n scene
such as could not be duplicated any =
where In the world. was witnessed last
night by the men Of the \. f. +. who
were so fortunate as to be there. The
city turned out en- masse, all nationali =
ties frolickcd arm in arm. for the Ger
mans had agreed to accept the peace
terms and at last without doubt LA
ceurre est fni 49,
The streets and great boulevards were
thronged by the rejoicing crowds. Ma E
iors. captains. colonies and even second
licutenants forgot all difference in rank
and went heltcr- skelter through the
streets with enlisted men, of any M
tionality. or pretty French mademoi
scllc on either arm? New Years eve al
City Hall was as a Sunday school meet
ing in comparison.
The largest crowd collected in front
of the great Opera House. in the ia
nous Place de l'Opora. and there thu
excitement reached its greatest height
Within the Opera House a performance
of "Thais" was being given. and at the
end Of the second act the singers and
musicians appeared on n balcony, fol-
lowed by many of the audience. They
were wildly cheered by the throngs in
front. and had great difficulty in getting
them quiet. Finally hush fell over
the throng and then those marvellous
voices sang the "Marscllaise, as the
crowd stood bareheaded and silent il
reverence and awe.
It was wonderful sight for the
Americans. They had often heard how
that famous song had rung through the
streets of Paris. but to actually hea,
it themselves and be part of that grcat
rejoicing and see the artists was n rcali.
zatiou of some of their widest dreams.
As the night wore on the more ex
citable grew the throng. and it wa!
genuine. for the cafes all closed early
and there was no evidence of drink il
any. The Americans. ns usual. begaG
to take tho lead in the performance o
wild stunts. One first 1.OoPy climbed NJ
lamppoSt with pretty French cir
and proceeded to make love to her
There. high above the rest. the pai
made pretty picture. and some on,
suddenly took n fashlight of them. A
that the girl decided she had enough
and from her perch leaped clear dowI
into the arms of those waiting to catcl
her below. Some fellows then grabbin:
hcr. pprchpd her on their shoulders ant
led "A parade which marched chccringl,
down the boulevard.
The French girls did not have it al
their own way, for there were American
girls a-plcnty on all sides. Red Cros!
workers. nurses. Y. X. c.. and every
other welfare organization had thei
share present in the general rejoicing
and they put some of the old pep into i
that reminded one of election night a
home.
Another sport soon developed. whicI
might be termed Getting the Goats o
the Taxi Drivers. These men, aIway,
out for what they can get. ccrtainl,
got theirs last night. for no sooner
would car appear on the street thai
the crowd would jump it, rock it. pull i
where they would. and 50 badger tn,
driver that. with tears in his face. h,
begged to let him GO. fearing every mo
mcnt that his car would be torn tr
pieces. But with it all no material harm
was done, and every ono had thor
oughly good natured and happy time
be he or she French. American. Eng
lish or what not. for all were ms one
and it was merely "Vive Les Allies +"
ERIC SANVILLE.
Paris. June "a.