Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1918 — U. S. TROOPS SEE METZ CEREMONY [ARTICLE]

U. S. TROOPS SEE METZ CEREMONY

Chicago’s “Dandy First” Wit* nesses Presentation of Baton to Petain. GIVEN LEAD IN THE PARADE Premier Clemenceau Hands to Mayor Keys of City Which Germans Failed to Get When They Captured Metz in 1870. Metz, Lorraine, Dec. 10.—After giving hearty greetings to the French troops three weeks ago, Metz received President Pioncare and representatives of every branch of the French government. The people of Metz looked upon it as a sort of official entry into possession of the city. They approved of it by the presence of a vast throng that continually cheered President Poincare, Premier Clemenceau, Marshals Joffre, Foch and Petain and Field Marshal Haig and General Pershing, who were included in the official party that assembled here. The girls Of Metz, wearing their national costume, were banked on both sides of the street from the station to the Esplanade. Behind them were packed men and women carrying the French flag and wearing artificial tricolor bouquets in default of real flowers. Gets Ancient Keys. At the ceremony in the city hall, Premier Clemenceau handed to the mayor of Metz the keys _to the city which the Germans failed to get when they captured Metz in 1870. The keys had been preserved by a descendaut of Gen. F. A. Lapasset, one of the defenders of Metz. A notable feature was the presentation of the baton of a marshal of France to General Petain, announcement of whose elevation to the rank of marshal was made last month. The ceremony took place on the esplanade in front of the of Marshal Ney. The One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment of the Thirtythird division of the American army was drawn up on one side and -.the famous French marines In front. Other French troops formed the other side of the rectangular space.

The American troops had the honor of leading the line during the review and “The Star-Spangled Banner” was wildly cheered as the regiment marched by in columns of eight in faultless style. The "marines of Dixmude, whose fame had reached Metz gven during hostilities, provoked fresh outbursts of cheering, as did the passage of various sections of the troops in review. The societies of Lorraine —band? o£ men and women, young and old —filed through the streets during the morning singing the Marseillaise, thus adding to the general enthusiasm. Mangin's Heroes to Enter Mayence. Paris, Dec. 10— General Mangin will enter Mayence, the French bridgehead on the Rhine, this week at the head of the Thirteenth and Fortythird infantry divisions, each unit of which has been cited for bravery. In order to meet the wishes of various units which desire to enter AlsaceLorraine and the Rhine provinces, the government has decided, according to the Echo de Paris, to change from time to time the troops in the occupied region. French troops will be sent to the Rhine bridgeheads and into the Palatinate and also into the American sphere of occupation. These troops will be relieved later by other units.