THEIR WELCOME IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 50, 22 November 1917, Page 6

THEIR WELCOME IN FRANCE

AMERICAN TROOPS REVIEWED BY PRESIDENT POINCARE

A CONSPICUOUS ANNIVERSARY

Wearing their British trench helmets and looking very grim and war-like, the American troops passed in review before President Poincare of tlio French Republic one day early in September, wrote the special correspondent of tlio American Associated Press. They were massed in great solid squares, and marching quickly to spirited American music presented a spectacle of unusual martial splendour. President Poincare, addressing the troops later, said that ho had witnessed their demonstration with great emotion, and felt that events were ever bringing the French and American peoples closer and closer together. The French President., accompanied by Jf. Paul Painleve, Minister of War and Marine, General Petain. and several other French Minerals. were

met at the American Field Headquarters by General Pershing and General Sili°rt. The day was tlio anniversary of the birth of Lafayette as well as the beginning of th" battle of the Manic, and President Poincare said that lie had specially selected the date to pay bis first visit to the American troops. He inspected several American barracks and billeting quarters 111 French villages, and then left to visit some historic spots on the Mnrno battlefield. The French President's reception was marked by democratic simplicity. He was dressed in his familiar blue_ knickerbocker suit with leather leggings, and wore, as usual, a simple blue yachting cap. The review was held on the ton of a plateau in tlio American training area, and when President Poincare and his party arrived early in the morning the troons were drawn up at attention in regimental squares, a formation which seemed wonderfully formidable. Binds stationed here and there about the reviewing field launched into the strains of the "Marseillaise" as the automobile, flying the French tricolour. anneared over the crest of +he steeo hill it had (illicitly eseended. The review proceeded immediately, President Poincare saluting the American and regimental flags as they passed.

Felicitous Speeches. Afterwards, while the men stood at case, all of tho officers of the expeditionary force were detached and assembled in a semi-circle about tho President and his party. Genoral Pershing stepped fonvard and addressed ' them briefly.

"We are being paid a great honour to-day in the visit of the President of -the Republic to which we have come to do our share in the fight for liberty," General Pershing said. "This happens also to be tho anniversary of the beginning of the battle of the Marne, a day which will, ever stand out in the history of the world. It is peculiarly fitting that t.bis army should be so honoured on this day, for I am sure it will give us a still greater feeling of patriotism and loyalty for tho principles for which we shall fight and will instil into us a still higher spirit for tho accomplishment of the task which is before us. It will make us, the advance guard of America's forces, feel still more keenly the responsibility that has been placed upon us."

_ General Pershing then presented President Poincare, and the President, stepping into tho semi-circle, removed his cap as he began to speak in a clear, far-reaching voice. He spoke in French, but already a majority of the officers of the Expeditionary Force aro acquainted with the language, and they followed each sentence closely.

"It makes me very happy, President Poincare said, "to be able to bring to-day the congratulations of the French Republic to this very fine army commanded by General Pershing and which I have just seen marching before me in such a magnificent manner. It filled me with emotion at seeing so many gallant officers and so many bravo soldiers, who faced tho dangers of the sea to come to the soil of France to defend the common cause of the Allies and to consecrate their lives, if need be, to the common cause of liberty. As President Wilson said the other day, we are all fighting for tho same ends, and tho interests 'of the free United States are at stake everywhere. The Allied armies are at grips with tho enemy, whether it be in Flanders, beforo Verdun, or on the Isonzo. Today in all of tho great cities of America is being celebrated the anniversary of the birth of Lafayette. To-day, also, I will visit the tombs of the heroes of the Battle of the Marne, the men fallen in that advance guard of the armies, which are now fighting for right and civilisation. Thus our two countries are celebrating to-day two common anniversaries which must draw them still more closely together and inspire them in the strugglo in which they are engaged."

"Long Live Wilson!" President Poincare referred briefly to the gift of a flag from tho Mayor of Philadelphia to the Municipal Council of Paris, and concluded his address with tho cry: "Long live President Wilson! Long live tho free United States 1" President Poincare was warmly applauded, and then , the officers gave three cheers and a tiger. The cheering was taken up by the troops in the distance and continued while tho President and his party were moving off the .reviewing field. One non-commis-sioned officer, who stood near the party during the speech, was greeted by some of his men when he rejoined his command with the question: "What did he say?" "I don't know exactly," was the reply, ,"but I think he said to give 'em he'll." "That's the stuff." yelled a number of privates in chorus, and the word ran all up and down the long khaki lines amid another outburst of cheering.