Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-07-15
French and Allied Soldiers
March Through Napoleon's
Great Triumphal Arch
WILSON'S GREETINGS
Pershing, With Staff, American Gen
erals and Composite Battalion of
Americans Follow J0ffre and Others

Paris, July 15.-The conquerors in
the great war marched yesterday in
a victory parade under the Arc de
Triomphe, through which only victors
may pass. Picked units and individual
heroes represented each of the Allied
Armies.
Several million grateful persons,
mostly Frenchmen, but with many
thousands of their allies, struggled
forward along the line of march for
al opportunity to wave and shout
their gratitude to the men who saved
them from German imperialism.
The gneat triumphal arch, conceived
by Napoleon to commemorate his vic
tory at the battle of AusterIftz, took
on new historic importance, when the
Allies marched through the massive
pile of masonry which dominates all
Paris and moved down the Champs
Elysees toward the Place de La Con-
corde.
The place of honor in the procession
was not accorded to the generals and
the smartly equipped troops. 1t was
given to a thousand multilated SOL
diers, who passed under the arch and
in front of the reviewing stand, where
stood President Poincare, moving halt
ing and out Of step, as best they could
Many were injured, some were
blind, some were I'M wheel chairs and
others were on crutches or lir,ped
along with the aid of canes. Few of
them were in uniform. They repre-
sentel all the provinces of France,
as was indicated by the variety Of
their civilian attire. They made no ef-
fort to maintain military formation,
hut marched as2weM as they couM to
the airs played by the military band
which led them.
Great crowds filled every inch of
space in the many streets and bcule-
wards that commanded a view of the
line Of march. Balconies were packed
ard roofs were black with people.
Mary hung in the brees which line the
boulevards.
Guns began firing at minute inter-
walls as President Poincare placed a
wreath, at the foot. of. the. cenotaph
at. the Are. de TIriomphe, yesterday
morning. This empty casket, placed
there in memory of the Allied dead.
a'so was decorated by other wreaths,
these being placed by Premier Glenn
eaceau, a French soldier, French
sailor, an Alsatian girl. girl from
Lorraine and Col. Edmund Groh.
Marshal Joffre, the victor of the
first battle of the Marine, passed un
del the Arc. de Triomphe at ga;
o'clock. He rode alone. Behind hin
comes Marshal Foch, the commander
in-chief of the Allied forces during
the final campaign of the conflict
A storm Of applause arose from the
vast throng as the two marshals pass
ed the Presidents squad and mcvet
down the brilliant avenue.
Gen. John ]. Pershing, with a nun
ber of American generals, came rex
in line and was received with equa
enthusiasm. Forty American organi
cations, soldiers and marines, march
ing with wonderful precision wer
greeted by sea Of waving handker
chiefs and flags and with deafenin1
cheers.
Washington, July 15.-Before be
ginning the days conferences, Presi
dent Wilson sent this message t
President Poincare of France. on tn
occasions of the celebration of Bastil
Day:
"May I not on this day which com
memorates the breaking Of the chair
that once bound France to an intoler
able servitude convey to the peopl
Of France the cordial fraternal greet
ings of the people of the Unite
and joy in having been associate
States and their sense of privilee
with France in breaking the bono
of the world? {Signed) !"
"Wodrow Wilson"