ALSATIAN ENTHUSIASM
MULHOUSE, SUNDAY.
French troops have entered Mulhouse amidst the delirious enthusiasm of its 50,000 inhabitants. The streets, the roofs and windows of the houses, even the trees and lamp-posts, were black with people who had waited patiently for hours the coming of their deliverers, and when the soldiers of France finally entered the town such a roar went up as Mulhouse has certainly never heard before. The Poilus were literally mobbed. Hundreds of enthusiastic admirers seized the reins of their horses and jumped on the gun-carriages, while kisses, flowers, and cigarettes were rained down on them from the windows by cheering men, women, and children, who had expected to see their deliverers yesterday, and whose temporary disappointments made their welcome to-day seem all the warmer.
It was the 168th Division, under General Mainvielle, which first entered the gaily-beflagged town at midday. At its head rode General Hirschauer, who is a native of Mulhouse. The division was followed by a squadron of cavalry, a company of pioneers, and the 344th division of infantry, with its glorious flag in tatters. Twenty aeroplanes circled overhead, the noise of their motors drowned by the cheers of the crowd.
The thunder of acclamations which began at the first houses rose irresistibly in a continual crescendo. Those who were waiting for the troops joined their shouts in advance to the chorus of those who already saw them, and still continued after they had passed. Old men in frock coats or dress coats, wearing the 1870 medal, shouted “Vive la Republique!” and waved their hats. Young girls and children, picturesquely clad in the national costume or in the French uniform, waved flags and mingled their shrill voices with those of their parents.
Many people were so overcome with emotion that they were unable to cry “Vive la France!” I saw the same convulsed faces which I had encountered in Switzerland when the pathetic convoys of liberated slaves moved towards France amid the acclamations of the Swiss. I saw the same tears and the same tragic eyes in which burned regret at having no more strength to proclaim the infinite gratitude and joy which filled their hearts and shook their frames. But to-day their tears were not of sadness. It was joy alone, joy so intense as to be almost suffering, which made them weep.
The soldiers themselves were surprised at first, in spite of all that they had been told. Although they wished to retain at least some appearance of reserve, they quickly caught the general spirit of rejoicing. Happiness was reflected on every weather-tanned face, and even their officers could not restrain a few tears of natural emotion. The procession, which included a party of veterans and the town bands, proceeded through the town as far as the fountain, where the troops were reviewed, and were then allowed to disperse. It was not long before the soldiers were promenading the streets, each with a beribboned Alsatian girl on his arm.
A short reception of General Hirschauer and the officers of the General Staff took place in the Town Hall, where, while the bells rang out, the Deputy-mayor welcomed the new garrison of Mulhouse, and affirmed the attachment of the town to France. General Hirschauer, in reply, alluded to his Alsatian origin, and recalled memories of those old Frenchmen who, like his father, sleep their last sleep beneath Alsatian soil.