The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-04-23

such an outpouring of people. I was
to see its parallel when the armistice
was signed and on two other Occa-
sions, once when President Wilson ar
rived and later when the victory pa
rade took place, July IA, 1919.
At Napoleon's Tomb.
Although l was very anxious to get
to work, it was necessary for me to
make certain official calls and attend
a few entertainments that had been
planned for us. The French suggest
ed that we should first go to visit Ma
poleon's tomb in Les Invalides.
We were taken down to the crypt,
where 1 was handed the great key and
was asked to unlock the heavy wrought
iron entrance door. We were shown
uniforms and the baton that belonged
to Napoleon and then his sword. Our
veteran escort reverently removed the
sword from the case and offered it to
me, as If to transmit some of the
genius Of the great captain.
So much of French sentiment and
tradition are associated with this tomb
and its treasures that every one who
visits there with Frenchmen must
share their feeling Of profound emo
ton. This incident, more than any
other connected with my reception. i'm
pressed me with the martial spirit Of
the French people.
E;nde DoincarA Paeerued
called next to pay my respects to
President Poincare and to present
greetings from President Wilson.
'The French people are very hap
py," he said, that America is in the
war. Your coming is great satisfac-
ton to us"
He inquired generally about our
plans, seeking, as they all did, some
assurance that we should soon be in
the trenches. His attitude was rather
formal and reserved, but he at once
impressed me as man Of ability and
force.
Petain "Most Agreeable"
A visit to French general headquar-
tiers at Compiegne was made, primarily
to meet General Petain and the Off
GERS of his staff. Petain is above
medium height and weight. He wore
a full mustache, slightly gray, and
was then about sixty. He has kind
ly expression and is most agreeable,
but not especially talkative.
His keen sense Of humor became
apparent from the jokes he told at
the expense of some of his staff. Our
conversation after luncheon was al
most entirely on military affairs, in
Guiding Americas probable part in the
war, which, as matters stood, gave lit
tie promise of becoming effective I'M
til the following spring.
My impression of Petain was favor
able and it remained unchanged
throughout the war. Our friendship,
which 1 highly treasure, had it's be-
ginning at this meeting.
At the luncheon there were several
general officers, among whom was
Mai. Gen. Franchet dEsperey, then in
command of a group Of armies under
Petain. He was considered one of the
ablest and most aggressive officers in
the French army and was very popu-
lar with his men.
AS we wished to get glimpse of
the actual front he took us by motor
as near as possible without drawing
the fire of the enemy's artillery, al
though at that time there was little
activity on that part of the front. The
point of observation that we reached
was opposite st. Quentin, which was
then within the enemy's lines, and
which was later near the center of the
great German drive of 1918 against
the British.
On the return trip the chauffeur,
after being cautioned several times,
continued to drive at a somewhat dam
gerous speed, which so exasperated
the general that he finally threatened
the chauffeur with violence, whereup-
on the speed was greatly reduced.