LA FETE NATIONALE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 168, 15 July 1916, Page 6

LA FETE NATIONALE.

CELEBRATIONS IN PARIS. BRITISH TAKE FART. PRESIDENT'S STIRRING SPEECH (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received 11.50 a.m.) PARIS, .Tiily 14. The boulevards were thronged with people on the day of the National Fete. The public monuments were decorated with flowers. French. English, Canadian. Indian, und Australian troops paraded at the Invalides, where there was a strange medley of martial music; when the Belgian trumpets were sounded, together with the bagpipes and the melodious music of Russian military bands. President Poinearo reviewed a large body of troops before the Petit Palais. Soul-stirring scenes were witnessed when the President handed' certificates showing the nation's appreciation to the relatives of live hundred of the fallen. As each name was calleil out there was a momentary silence, und then an oHicer solemnly announced, ''He has died for his country." A procession inarched thro\urh the Champs Elysees, the Rue Royale, and the Grand Boulevard, and dispersed at the Place de la Kepublique. British troops taking part were warmly cheered, and women threw ftowere to the Anza.ce. EPIC OF VERDUN. President Poincane stirringly addressed the troops. "You know." he said, "how during interminable weeks, under concentrated artillery fire, and heedless of rain, our battalions have defended Verdun. Their endurance'and stoicism h;is facilitated elsewhere the combined operations of the Allies. It is a spectacle whose epic grandeur surpasses ajiything yet known to humanity. Verdun is now little more than a heap of ruins, but over the blackened stones of your houses the German army sees from afar France's victory. FOR HONOUR AND LIFE. "Our enemies will not long retain their illusions regarding the possibility of placing the Allies at their mercy, and of drawing from their weariness a peace that may enable militarism to musk the preparations for a fresh aggressive. We should not weaken if were for honour alone, but we are also fighting for life and conscience. The nations of Europe are face to face with a poignant problem, but a free, democracy will not submit to an existence which means simply vegetating •in the atifflng and unhealthy shadow of a German Empire strong enough to spread over the whole of Europe a heavy hegemony. -, GENERAL HAIG'S MESSAGE. General Sir Douglas Haig sent the following message to the President: "Wo are participating with the valiant French in a struggle which lias now become desperate. Xne British Army expresses its admiration of the results which the Frenelrhavf. obtained, and its unfaltering in the prompt realisation of our common aims." President Poineairc replied: "Please convey to tbe gallant "British ray keen admiration of the splendid successes they have so brilliantly developed. They have echoed a reply from all French hearts. Your troop 3in Paris to-day received a thrilling evidence of the public feeling." GREAT GOODWILL. £100,000 RED CROSS FUND. PRESIDENT'S GREETINGS. (Australian and 3J.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 14 Remarkable Umpire-wide arrangements were made to celebrate the Frcncii national fete day. Tricolour emblems and flags are being sold everywhere on behalf of the French Red Cross. The organisers expect to raise £100,000. Many special matinees and other features are being held. The British Workers' League held a monster demonstration. Queen Alexandra has issued a special message commending the noble enterprise to the people of the Empire. The "Daily Chronicle" has published a scries of messages from the overseas Dominions, including one from Mr Massey, expressing goodwill to France. 11. Poincare (President of France), in a message to the British people, expresses the unbounded admiration of the French people for the deeds of Britain's glorious navy, and for the wonderful development of the Empire's mighty resources. He sends affectionate greetings of lasting brotherhood to the United Kingdom and the Dominions overseas. IN AUSTRALIA. SYDXRY, July 14. Similarly with other parts of the Empire, the Commonwealth seized the opportunity of Frcncii Fete Day to honour Britain's ally. There wes a great display of the tricolour. The principal features of the observances were Requiem Masses for French soldiers and large military parades. At meetings in the various town halls resolutions expressing appreciation of France's valour were carried, while at official luncheons the speakers eulogised France.

The Red Cross Society Ims donated £1,000 to thn Fronch Society. The Woolbrokers and Sydney Stock Exchange subscribed £.'1.244 and presented the money to the French League of Mercy.