Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1919-01-17
MIDD'S HIGHEST
RANKING OFFICER
(Continued from page onel

to us to perfect their military lnstruc-
ton, while awaiting their turn to de-
part for the front An important avia-
ton camp, where a brilliant group OF
air pilots have been trained, was built
at the very gates of Clermont. Very
quickly, bonds of sympathy, bonds
based on mutual esteem, were forged
between the population and the allied
soldiers.
"The best families of Clermont and
Auvergne have considered 1t their
duty as we'll as their pleasure to open
their drawingrooms to the American
Il officers Indeed the humblest hearths
deemed it an honor to receive the sol
diers of Liberty. For all the Americans
have been not only allies, they have
Ibeen friends, the best OF friends. These
bonds of friendship will endure, we
are certain of it, There are some things
which can not be forgotten. The Amer
leans have not forgotten the aid car
RED to the young American republic
bv the soldiers of Lafayette and
Rochambeau. The descendants OF THESE
great soldiers will not forget the aid
, brought by the children OF Tree Amer
lea to France in her hour OF danger
at is by grace of the Americans, we
shall never repeat it too frequently,
that we have won the war But VIC
tory has signaled the hour OF depar-
ture for our glorious allies. In lew
weeks. no more Americans viii be lett
in the interior of France; some VIII
have gone into the occupied country,
where they will keep a vigilant watch
for any resumption of the offensive
by the Boche; Others will re-embark
for their own land.
Beyond question, it grieves our
hearts TO separate from our friends.
Nor need we hesitate to affirm that
= they, too, will not leave our loved
. France without regret But it must
not be forgotten that many OF them
have been here for fifteen months.
They, too have at home an aged moth
er, a wife and children who are await
a ing them. This thought will make the
separation less painful for us
e before leaving Clermont, General
Foote, who commands the American
troops in this section, wished to give
the population formal testimoniaI
e OF sympathy. Therefore he organized
grand farewell review And, with
6 delicate tact, he desired to have the
soldiers defle thru the Avenue de
Etats- Unis,' a street newly christened
!, with the name of our sister nation.
; tThe review took place yesterday
|. morning. 1t was a thrilling Franco
. American demonstration. Although the
information was late in being given
; out, the population of Clermont re-
q sponded enthusiastically to the appea
e of the municipality and the press. A.
r if by magic the streets and avenue,
through which the Americans were tC
mass were decked with flags, as on the
glorious day OF the armistice. Every.
where the Stars and Stripes, in pro
& fusion, glorious trophies, were blendec
fraternally with the national colors
. Counet, the official decorator, die
wonders.
"a platform draped with French anC
{ American flags had been erected lol
o the dignitares The Avenue DIES Etats
v Unis' had put on again her beautiful
baptismal garment which she wore Sc
gracously last Sunday And for many
= if not for all, this was a holiday
Il THE First American Artillery, which
/ participated. in the review and pa
e rade formed in Gambetta Square Al
he.
teries were in battle array Officers ant
gunners were on foot, in fatigue uni
form
= General Foote, escorted by hi
General Staff, passed rapidly along the
. line of troops, then took his place OF
: the tribune erected at the foot OF thu
statute of VercingetoriX, where already
3 the authorities and guests had pre-
I coded him. The general was in fatigue
h uniform, like his troops long KHAKI
$ blouse, spiral puttees and cap. Nothing
i served to distinguish him from hi
soldiers save two modest silver star
- on his sleeves
an the reviewing stand beside Gen
y eral Foote, were to be seen Genera
s Dantant, Commander chief of the
v 18th district; Doctor Vigenaud, mayor
-; of Clermont; the ladies OF the Ameri
can Red Cross from the headquarter!
at Aulnat; all the superior officers
a, both French and American, of the gar
II rison the municipal counselors o
al Clermont and delegates from the diff
l, ierent civil and administrative corps
General Foote had had the gra
Cious thought to reserve places in TIL
u reviewing stand for the persons whC
had frequently received him and hi
II officers as guests in their homes. Anc
J. dainty toilettes added pleasing toucl
to the severity of frock coat and uni
b form.
IL "On either side OF the reviewing
y stand, about the statute, the American
officers were drawn up without thei
.s troops. At ten o'clock, the troops wer
o set in motion for the parade. In tn
van, the excellent band of the artil
X lery regiment, so often applauded a
N Clermont, rendered seductive marche
oi while the Yanks, supple and alert