February 4th

Surrounded by a cortege of the Republican Guard and a squadron of cuirassiers, the President drove yesterday to the Chamber through streets and boulevards thronged with happy, cheering people. It was indeed a wonderful sight. Wilson was pleased and touched, and he showed it. All Paris was at his feet. In his address to the deputies he departed quite a little from the text of the discourse he had proposed to make. He said:

“America is paying her debt of gratitude to France in sending her sons to defend your country, but she does more: she is helping to reunite world forces so that never again shall France be isolated; never again will France have to ask the question who will come to her assistance in her battle for right and justice.”

At these words the Chamber broke out into tumultuous applause. The very largest interpretation is being placed upon these words, one more far-reaching, I should say, than was intended by the speaker.