PARIS PARADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 July 1939, Page 7

PARIS PARADE

GREAT MILITARY REVIEW fever of patriotism [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —■COPYRIGHT.] PARIS, July 14. One million spectators at the Champs Elysees alone, thousands ot whom slept on the P avem ® nts^ l L n ]®JJ long, witnessed the Fourteenth of July military parade, which has captured the popular imagination more than any similar display since the war Victory March. , President Lebrun took the salute during the three-hour march of a tenmile column of 30,000 troops, 15,000 ' cavalry, 1000 tanks, armoured cars, and mechanised artillery. The city.was lavishly decorated with the British and French colours, and was wildly enthusiastic. . The arrival took place overnight ot a large detachment of the British Brigade of Guards, and Royal Naval units. They had an honoured place at the head of the column, and the crowd were mad with delight*at their piesence. , . President Lebrun was surrounded on the dais by the Prime Minister (M. Daladier), the Sultan of Morocco, members of the Cabinet, French General Staff members, Mr Hore Belisha, Mr W. Churchill, Lord Gort (head of the British Staff), Sir R. Newell, Admiral Evans, and attaches of the Embassies of nearly every nation m the ‘ world, including those of Italy and Germany. . Before the march, 52 of Britain s fastest fighters and bombers flew over Paris,-failing to drown the roar ot cheering. Then 350 French warplanes t followed. Paris was gripped in a fever or patriotism, hailing the presence of the British forces, as symbolic of AngloFrench unity and renewed strength.

OVATION FOR GUARDSMEN.

' (Recd. July 15, 10.15 a.m.) PARIS, July 14-

The sight of British Guardsmen at the head of the military parade to mark the French National Day proved too much for thousands of those present They broke the cordons, and held up the march for 20 minutes, shouting: “Long Live England! God Bless Our Friends!” The Guardsmen were forced to hold their rifles above their heads, to avoid injuring the franctically-emotional men and women. President Lebrun has cabled to the King, praising the “magnificent appearance’’ of the British participants in the parade.