FRENCH NATIONAL FETE

Nelson Evening Mail, 17 July 1916, Page 5

FRENCH NATIONAL FETE

ANNIVERSARY OF THE STORMING OF THE BASTILLE. REMARKABLE SCENES -IN. PARIS. PARIS, July 14." The "boulevards . were, thronged, 'and monuments were decorated "with flowers. British, French, (Canadian, Indiau, : and i Australian trpops paraded at. Hotel des Invalides. There was a medley of ,maritial music Belgian trumpets sounded together with the bagpipes and melodious Russian military bands.. ,-.■■'■■ (President Poineare reviewed the troops before the Petit Palais. Amid soulstirring scenes !Mu- Poineare handed c.er'tificates of national' appreciation to the relatives of 500 fallen! soldiers.. The names were called out, and during a momentary silence an officer solemnly - announced, "He died for his country.'' The procession marched' to the Champs ■■ Elysees by w-fy of the Royal and-Grand Boulevards. The British were warmly cheered, and women threw, flowers to . the Anzacs. President Poincaire stirringly addressed the troops. 'He said : "You, know how during interminable weeks, under concentrated artillery fire, heedless, of the rain of shells, our battalions have defended Verdun. Their endurance arid heroism, nave facilitated- elsewhere the com'bined operations* of the- Allies. It is a spectacle whose epic graudeur,.surpasses anything humanity has hitherto known. Verdun is now little niore than a heap of ruins, nut over the blackened stones of its houses, the German army sees from afar .France's victory. Our. euemies do not "retain illusions' regarding. the possibility of bringing, the Allies to ' their mercy and drawing from their * weariness a peace which would enable militarism to mask preparations for a fresh aggressive. We would hot weaken if we were (fighting for honour alone, but -we are also fighting for life aad conscience. The European, nations; must .facts the poignant problem of a free.de- '• mocracy and not submit to an\ existence simplyj yegetating iu the arid;unhealthy shadow of a German- empire strong enough to spread over; the whole of Europe a heavy hegemony.." ; , r General Sir Douglas Haig sent a message to >(M. (Poineare stating that,- par- ' ticipating with the valiant French,in a' struggle which has now 'become; desper- • ate, the British Army expresses its ad- ~ miration of the results the French'.have' obtained., and its unfaltering confidencein a prompt realisation of their common [aims. . * . I M. Poineare replied: "Convey tq t the gallant .(British my keen admiration of their splendid successes so brilliantly developed-. Your teoops in Paris, to-day have received thrilling evidence of public feeling." (CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON. ... .LOiNDON, JvOyr. 14. The warmth of Britain's: affection for France was demonstrated everywhere in the streets by men, women arid, children wearing miniature tricolours. . ■_ Mr and Mrs. AsquitH and many-dis-tinguished people attendedl a Requiem. Mass. There was a striking scene in the great Cathedral at Westminster. The massed hand of ■ the Household Brigade played the "Marseillaise,", while Irish Guardsmen with fixed bayonets stood "with "bowed heads in the/Sanctuary guarding a catafalque draped with the French flag, representing the fallen heroes. '-> '■'■•'", '" : , j The "Dead IMarch" was played and "The Last (Post" sounded. DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE ■ COMMONWEALTH. SYDNEY, July 14. Similarly with other parts of the Empire, the Commonwealth, seized .tbe opportunity offered by the French fete day to honour our Ally. There was, a great dlisplay of the tricolour, and tne principal features of the observance were requiem Masses for fallen French soldiers and bi<r. military parades. At a meetIn" at Town 'Hall resolutions appreciative of France's valour were adopted. An official luncheon was held, at which speakers eulogised France. " • r ,; The Bed Cross Society, donated :£IOW to the French Society. '