New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-09-19
Pres. Dou m cirque.
Marshal Foch and
General Pershing Sit
Together in H a IL
Which Thunders With
Applause.
Despite Drilling Rain,
Thousands Fill Streets to
Review Greatest Peace
Time Parade in History.

Palais du Trocadero, Paris Sept.
~ P}-With a tremendous roar of
applause and cheers from the 1000
delegates for President Doumergue.
Marshal Foch. General Pershing and
National Commander Howard P.
Savage, the ninth convention of the
American Legion was opened at $50
o'clock this morning in the famous
Trocadero palace.
President Doumergue, head of the
French republic, was the guest Of
honor. Members of the cabinet, SEN
ators, deputies and leaders in the
military, naval and diplomatic life
OF France occupied the platform.
Everywhere there was a spirit Of
enthusiasm. Huge rencctors threw
their light on the gathering, re
marhable for its color. The Mar
scillaisa and The Star Spangled
Banner shared honors as played by
various bands. while Marshal Foch,
sitting at General Pershing's left,
bowed his appreciation of the spon-
tancous outburst which greeted his
appearance.
The business portion OF the open
ing session was exceedingly brief, a
few committee reports were hastily
adopted and orders We're given the
committe chairmen for the after
Moons parade.
Suddenly on a. sign from Com
mander Savage, the vast assomblage
arose and the strains Of There is
no Death throbbed through the
building. Then came a moments
silence in memory of Americas war
dead.
Dixie" and cover There"
Eight Legion bands appeared in
uniform. The famous Red and
White Stotsons played national mel
odics, "My Ola Kentucky Homo" and
Dixie wing with over There"
ana LA Madclon' for the applause
Of The Lceionnaircs, after the ma
tonal anthems OF France and the
United States had been played sever
al times.
4 message from President Cool
idge TO the legionnaircs, which ar
rived by wireless an hour before tho
convention opened, was read and
greeted with thunderous applause
The only incident occurred when
Louis Marin. the French minister OF
pensions, was Introduced. Some one
in the gallery shouted Long live
Sacco and Nanzctti." His outburst
sounded very lonely and was quickly
drowned in cheers while the dis
turbor was elected. The incident, in
rtead Of causing a ruffle in the en-
thusiasm of the meeting, rather in
creased it,
General pershing, President Dou-
merguc Marshal Foch, the presi-
dents Of the French senate and
chamber OF deputies. Minister of In
terror Albert Sarraut and Minister Of
Pensions Louis Marin occupied
front row seats on the platform.
Hearty Welcome
In his speech, NJ. Marin declared
that the convention was IN event of
great Importance.
Here are Thousands OF delegates
from the legion, which numbers
over a million members" he said
Never, doubtless in time Of peace,
has an old country like France re-
ccived 50 many ambassadors from a
great nation.
'Gcntlemen of the legion, for
what We have seen of that which |.
was great in you during the war, for
the friendship You are showing us f,
today through your touching pill |
Erimage for the precious recollec- |,
lions that will remain in our true
and grateful hearts, We all acclaim
you most heartily. And we are hap
Ply TO find again in tho glorious com |
batants who came back to us the !
most admirable image Of our sister
republic, the United States"
Sheldon Whitohouso, American .
charge d'affaircs, was the next /
speaker. ut is great privilege" he !
said, for me to be called upon to !
address your convention today, but ,
at the same time it is a sad privilege, |
since it is due to the absence of the
ambassador who we love, Mr.. Her j
rick. AS you know. he is only pre-
vented from being here by Illness
Mr.. Whitehousc then read a mes
sage from Mr.. HorriclI in which the
ambassador expressed keen regret |
at being unable to attend the con-
vention. My best wishes are with
every one of YOU" the message con- /.
cludcd.
This convention" the charge
"rckindles deep emotions
war emotions which lifted us
above ourselves. ] know that these
deliberations in peace will take
place in an atmosphere which must
every lofty sentiment in
these kindly surroundings of people
whose friendship dates from the
dawn of our Independence and has
been rcaffirmcd in the stress of
war.
ION behalf Of the government of
the United States, ! thank the
French Government for its gracious