METZ AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE ARMISTICE

When the Armistice was signed on November 11, the forts of Metz were within range of the American artillery, which had already bombarded them several times, while the troops had taken up the positions from which the offensive, arranged for the 16th, was to have been launched. The terms of



METZ. FRENCH TROOPS DEFILING BEFORE MARSHAL PÉTAIN

November 19, 1918



PLACE D’ARMES, NOVEMBER 19, 1918

In the background: Statue of Marshal Fabert.

the Armistice called for the evacuation of the invaded territory, including Alsace and Lorraine, before the 26th. It was into Metz, freed of German soldiers, that the French troops made a solemn entry on Tuesday, November 19, 1918, amid scenes of indescribable enthusiasm.



METZ. GENERAL PÉTAIN MADE MARSHAL OF FRANCE

After the ceremony: President Poincaré embraces Prime Minister Clémenceau.

The march past took place on the Esplanade, before General Pétain, made Marshal that morning. Mounted on a white horse and wearing his large blue coat, he had taken his stand in front of the statue of Marshal Ney. He was assisted by General Fayolle, commanding a group of armies, and by Major-General Buat. General Mangin, commanding the 10th Army, had met with an accident while riding, and his place was taken by General Leconte. On the same day M. Mirman, who had been appointed Commissioner of the Republic, was received by General de Maud’huy, Governor of Metz. Salvos of cannon and the ringing of the famous “Mutte” bell in the Cathedral celebrated this joyful day.

On the following Sunday, November 24, the leading men of Metz elected the new Town Council, and decided to restore the names of the streets in use prior to 1870, and to name new streets after generals and prominent men who had distinguished themselves in the Great War. The list was published in a decree dated December 7.

On Sunday, December 8, President Poincaré, accompanied by the French Prime Minister, M. Clémenceau, the Presidents of the Chambers, Ministers, Marshals, and French and Allied Generals, proclaimed the definite return to France of the lost provinces. It was a day never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Young girls in the national costume of Lorraine—birthplace of the French President—marched through the streets, and flowers were showered from the windows on the procession.

In the morning there was a review on the Esplanade, and a Field-Marshal’s bâton was presented to General Pétain. The President of the Republic opened the proceedings with an address, after which an unforeseen and touching incident occurred; overcome with emotion, M. Poincaré and M. Clémenceau embraced each other.



METZ. LORRAINE GIRLS GROUPED AROUND THE FRENCH FLAG

November 19, 1918.

In the afternoon there was a reception in the Hôtel-de-Ville, at which President Poincaré summed up in a stirring speech the whole history of Metz, and concluded with the following words:—

“Years have gone by, but Metz has not changed. The protests formerly made to the ‘Reichstag’ in the name of the people of Metz, in the name of all the people of Lorraine, by that great Bishop, Mgr. Dupont des Loges, continued calmly and firmly after his death. Citizens of Metz, you renewed them, year after year, by pilgrimages to Mars-la-Tour, by visits to the cemeteries, and by fostering French memories.... Beloved town of Metz, your nightmare is over—France returns and opens her arms to you!”

The procession was then received with great ceremony by Mgr. Felt at the Cathedral, and finally went to the cemetery of Chambière, to pay homage to the dead of 1870.



PLAN OF METZ

METZ
1. Place d’Armes.
2. Prefecture Bridge.
3. Prefecture Square.
4. Rue Pont-Moreau.
5. Rue Belle-Isle.
6. Thionville Bridge.
7. Rue de l’Hôpital Militaire.
8. Route de Thionville.
9. Rue Fabert.
10. Rue de la Tête-d’Or.
11. Rue de la Grande Armée.
12. Rue des Allemands.
13. Rue de St. Julien.
14. Rue de Sarrebruck.
15. Rue Haute-Seille.
16. Rue de Strasbourg.
17. Avenue du Maréchal Foch. 		18. Rue Vauban.
19. Rue de Magny.
20. Rue des Clercs.
21. Avenue de la Citadelle.
22. Rue de Nancy.
23. Rue de Pont-à-Mousson.
24. Chambre Square.
25. Rue de la Paix.
26. Rue Pont-des-Morts.
27. Rue de Paris.
28. Avenue Serpenoise.
29. Rue Harelle.
30. Rue de la Gare.
31. Rue de Thionville.
32. Rue du Haut-Poirier.
33. Rue Serpenoise.
34. Rue de President Wilson.
35. Rue de Verdun.		36. Avenue de Maréchal Joffre.
37. King George Square.
38. Bd. Georges Clémenceau.
39. Bd. President Poincaré.
40. Place de la République.
41. Rue Fournirue.
A. Cathedral.
B. German Gate.
C. Barracks.
D. St. Eucairés Church.
E. St. Vincent’s Church.
H. Hôtel-de-Ville.
J. Palais-de-Justice.
M. Museum.
P. Prefecture.
P.S. Serpenoise Gate.
T. Theatre.