Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1919-01-24
. LETTER FROM FRANCE.
December 18th, 1918.

IN OiS ouoW Will oOou OCS ihs |
All eyes are turned toward |
Paris and everyone is interested
in the performance which marks
the termination Of the world war
aud will determine the future
safety and peace Of the world. It'll
is wonderful event, historic
occasion and l am happy to bel
III the midst of it all.
France is the mecca Of the
world today and her capital city
is the capital of the world right
now. The Republic of France,
with its capital which always
maintains a cosmopolitan at
mosphere, has shown during the
last four years Of war hospitality
to millions and millions Of for
eigners who have anded on her
shores to fight with her the bat
tie for right and freedom. In
cluded in these millions of WISH
tors have been some of the most
noted and distinguished men O.
the world and many of them the
heads Of the various govern
ments. They have all been
treated courteously and respec-
fully but no other man has re-
ceived tile welcome that H. been
accorded by the French republic
nor the reception rendered by tie
world capital to our great Presl
lent Woodrow Wilson. 1t was
simply wonderful and indescrib-
able and | shall not try to picture
it to you for you will read all
about it in the papers and no
doubt see moving pictures of the
great crowds and gatherings
long before this reaches you. [
tell you it was wonderful the
way they received our president
and it made us Of the A. Z. +
feel proud of the Grand old
Man. 1t reflects a marvellous
Esprit on the French to acclaim
our president and pay homag e
to the Chief Executive of a SIS
ter republic and it also reveals
strong admiration for the ma
himself. France has always adj
nired President Wilson and her
leading newspapers have from
time to time attested to her adj
niration. He has simply cap
tured their hearts and they have
great confidence and faith in
him. AS all example, one OF the
most attractive signs on a larg
hotel read, Honor to Wilson,,
1.-THE JUST" which I think is the
most appropriate aud worthy
Tribute that can be paid to Will
Ison or any other man.
| The reception the President
land Mrs. Wilson received all
lalong their journey from station
to their hotel (iIotel Murat) was
indeed splendid. l have never
seen such crowds as were Out to
lgreet him. The city was trans
Horned into a great stage to
lspeak and enthusiasm was mani
fest i'll every one. lie Presi-
dent captivated everyone with
his winning smile. Mrs. Wilson
was decided hit !" Her taste
full and elegant gowns were ap-
lpreciated by Parisians OF the
smart" dress type.
| France has been entertaining
some OF the most distinguished
men of the world recently. Kings
have come aud kings have goYe.
The hospitable shores of France
which have received more than
Two million of our boys have
been treated bv almost all of the
distinguished leaders of the day,
but 10 man has received, or ever
will receive, such a cordial well
come as was granted to our Wiz
glnla-born president WHO, in
spite Of the criticism of some of
his fellow countrymeu, was
selected to come to France to
serve his country in the greatest
capacity that any man has ever
been called upon to serve-a task
that is going to decide not only
the peace terms of this great
war but the destiny of mauv
nations and the future of the |
world. 1t is noble calling and
Ii coming to France the Pr.>;-
dent is responding to tile wishes !
vi all the A lilies aud particularly
France as evidenced by the great
welcome accorded him in Paris
Yesterday. After seeing the
President the people turned the
day into day of celebration ard
1t was representation of the his
tOrtc ddV liz ar,