The New York herald., 1921-03-06
ALL PARIS REVELS
IN FESTIVITIES OF
LENTEN CARNIVAL
Joyousness Eclipses Wars
Grim Shadow as the Queen
Leads Big Spectacle.
MASKED BALL HILARIOUS
Flock of Queens Win Threat to
Strike Unless Mothers Can
Be Chaperones.
MASKED BALL HILARIOUS

Special Gable to TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, by THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, March 8.
After near-strike of Queens which
for time threatened the overthrow
Of the entire programme of festivities
Paris celebrated its Mid-Lent carnival
with all the vim and extravaganza
and gayety that marked these yearly
festivals before the war. Perhaps the
crowds of the gay French capital
turned themselves loose even a little
more freely than In the days before
the war, for many who witnessed the
carnival this year declared that not
since the memorable armistice cele-
bration has Paris indulged in such
genuine and widespread gayety.
Nobody seemed to care for the time
being whether Germany paid or not,
as they watched Mile. Yvonne Beclu,
the Queen of Queens, riding through
the streets in a huge gondola at the
head of a line of floats which repre-
sented the best talent OF the art stu
dents Of Paris. At night there was
q masked ball at the Opera and at
almost every dance hall in the city,
while those who could not crowd their
way into places Of amusement were
satisfied to dance in the streets.
Glad She Did Not Go on Strike.
And when the Mi-Caremc was at its
height II Is quite certain that the pretty
Mile. Beclu was glad that she had
not let her rebellious spirit get the bet
ter OF her TO tho extent Of going on
O sure enough strike because Of GER
tain disagreements with the commit
tee in charge. Else she might never
have had the glory of being cheered
by hundreds OF thousands and hailed
as the queen Of beauty nor the priv
ilege OF walking up the steps OF the
Elysee Palace there to be greeted by
no less parsonage than the President
Of the Republic and with no less in
formal and hearty greeting than
kiss. So Mile. Beclu is happy now and
probably so will be her children and
children's children in the years TO come
when they remember this day.
Yet not so very long ago Mile. Beclu
was quito indignant because the car
nival authorities insisted that the Mi
unknown soldier during the festivities
And so we're the twenty other queens.
for this year instead OF having three
or four queens each arTondissement or
district was permitted to elect It's own
queen. these to be ruled over by Mile.
Beclu, the Queen of Queens.
Instead OF selecting good looking
laundry workers the judges took into
consideration the diligence OF the cam
didates, whether their families de-
pended upon them and whether they
had lost brothers or fathers in the
war, considering these qualities 10 be
more worthy of reward than mere
beauty-although the selections gem
orally left nothing TO be desired from
this viewpoint.
Many Too Poor to Buy Gowns.
Unfortunately. however. most OF the
candidates belonged TO tho poorer fam
lies who were unable 70 buy carnival
gowns without economiZing on spare
francs for months TO come. This did
not please the queens. and their dis
approval was still moro aroused when
the committee insisted on their pres
ence at banquet. but refused to pay
the price of admission for their maids
OF honor and chaperones.
As to the placing OF the wreaths on
the grave OF the unknown hero, the
girls felt Il was out OF place for them
10 lead masked jewellers TO the sacred
spot. and in this they had widespread
support.
SO Mile Beeu. on behalf OF herself
and the other queens, delivered an ul-
timatum. with her chin lifted in
manner most becoming TO a naughty
but Irresistible queen she said: IF the
committee In unwilling TO stand the ex-
perse OF having our mothers with US as
chaperones at public dinners and recep-
tions we arc ready 70 resign. Let them
get somebody else"
They heard her out and smiled. After
all Il wasn't so very difficult TO meet
an ultiratum like that. especially when
the carnival spirit Is in the air. Then
IL at no other time an ultimatum de-
livered by girl who because OF her
beauty has been chosen queen OF tho
queens r. amenable to adjustment emil
nently satisfactory TO all concerned.