DARTMOUTH REUNION IN PARIS
The following unsigned account of the Dartmouth Reunion held at the Cafe Cardinal in Paris on December 28 has been received by the Secretary of the Alumni Association:
"What is probably the last formal Dartmouth affair connected with the War has taken place. Dr. Lines and I felt that there should be one more attempt made to have a considerable gathering by Dartmouth Men in Paris before the demobilization was complete. It seemed that the 28th of December was the best time to get the men together and from the results it appears that this decision was correct.
"The notice was circulated to all of the addresses that we had of Dartmouth Men in France. By our experience at the former Dartmouth Dinner, we estimated that about thirty-five men would attend. We were, therefore, considerably surprised to have fifty-four men to provide for at the Cardinal. A great many were able to get released at the last moment and simply dropped in without having so much as acknowledged the announcements we had sent. Fortunately the Cardinal had accommodations for the crowd and sufficient supplies to eke out an adequate, if not sumptuous repast.
"It is safe to say that no Dartmouth gathering was ever more animated. The men had come determined to let the Dartmouth spirit run high and so it did. Fortunately a piano was available and men at hand who could play and sing, thus relieving the occasion of any suggestion of stiffness. J. H. Chipman '19, played, and notable among the singers were H. B. Johnson '04, J. M. Irwin '11, and R. A. Burlen '16.
"The dinner had hardly started when Gig Gallager appeared unexpectedly in the middle of the room and in a fashion worthy of his palmiest days started the most spirited cheering that any present could remember. The enthusiasm became contagious and, if anything, increased until the end of the dinner.
"Dr. Lines, who acted as toastmaster, recounted some of his Dartmouth experiences and extended a cordial word of greeting to all of the men present and expressed his great pleasure at seeing so fine a turn-out in response to the call of Dartmouth.
"E. B. Watson 'O2 was asked to speak on behalf of the Dartmouth Committee. He expressed the hope that, as on the occasion of the former Dartmouth gathering, the men, who had actively participated in the events of the War, would take it upon themselves to speak of their experiences whether asked to do so by the toastmaster or not. He urged the men to cultivate a spirit of tolerance towards the customs and mental qualities of the Europeans whenever they were brought in contact; attempting to understand the finer things in the characters of other lives, which it is sometimes natural to overlook in the superficial differences which make acquaintance with foreigners difficult and sometimes perplexing. He called attention to the difficult situation in which the College finds itself as a result of the disturbances which have followed war conditions, and, he insisted upon the duty of Dartmouth Men to return to America and resolve to do their utmost in loyalty to the College, since the influence of our fighting men would henceforth count as no other among the Alumni of the College. Gig Gallager spoke on behalf of those services, which like his own, had not been given a chance of active participation in the War, but had served merely in replacement divisions.
"Hinman '04 spoke feelingly on the change in the respect for the U. S. Uniform which had resulted from the war, and he hoped there might never be the return to the careless disrespect in which the uniform was held during the eight years he had worn it previous to the outbreak of War.
"Herman Whitmore '18 recounted his trying experiences as prisoner in Germany, enlarging particularly upon the hard and unfair treatment to which he was first subjected and to the contrast of the fawning and equally displeasing partiality shown toward the American prisoners when it became German policy to curry American favor.
"Mr. Wethey, father of Wethey '17, was the only person present not a graduate of Dartmouth. He spoke briefly of his friendship for the College and his great interest in what had been done by Dartmouth in the War.
R. A. Burlen '16 regaled the company with several stories and readings for which he has long been famous among Dartmouth men.
"At the end of the evening the company voted to send the following message of greeting to the President of the College:
The Dartmouth Alumni Association in Franee at its second reunion and banquet held at the Cafe Cardinal, Paris, sends its most loyal greeting to the President of Dartmouth and assures him of their best wishes for the coming year; pledging their most loyal support in meeting the needs of the College during these times of reconstruction.'
According to Paris law all Cafes must be closed at 9:30 P. M. The dinner was, therefore, abruptly ended, as the Dartmouth Song and cheer died away, by the sudden extinguishing of all the lights. The waiters and clerks, who up to that time had been most cordial and solicitous in caring for Dartmouth needs, unceremoniously hustled us into the street, where, however, the Dartmouth gathering continued in small groups along the boulevard, some cases, no doubt, until* morning.
Enclosed are memento cards with the signatures of those present. Although only fifty-four men partook of the dinner two more came in after the dinner itself was finished. The name of one of these appears on the card but the other escaped without writing his name."
The signatures on the enclosed cards were as follows:
Robert Burlen '16, E. H. Lines '82, E. B. Watson '02, Philip Stackpole '16, H. E. Dalrymple '20, James F. Smith '03, C. M. Stilphen Charles B. Mills Jr., '20, D. R. Blanpied '08, C. B. Skillin 'OB, R. L. Cams '08, J. H. Chipman '19, H. E. Meleney '09, James Baldwin '10, A. H. Leavitt '07, Morris Smith '07, Robert Cochrane '07, F. Dusossoit '18, Herman tVhitmore '18, James Rubei '17, W. Daniell IS, H. K. Davison 'IS, H. E. Fuller '15, Harry B. Johnson '04, B. H. Hinman '04, J. A. Blatherwick '06, Warner G. White '06, "Capt." M. A. Gallager '06, A. Donahue 'IS, George Liscomb '07, F. V. V. Wethey '17, C. A. Parnell '15, Morris G. White '14, G. Dock, Jr., '16, Vincent K. Smith '17, Warren F. Kimball '11, G. A. Hayes '13, Carl Shumway '13, H. H. Nutt '13, T. R. Montgomery '18, H. A. Johnston '18, D. L. Garrett '18, E. L. McFalls '16, B. V. Emery '16, J. M. Irwin '11, R. S. Strout '19, G. W. Rand '19, Sherman L. Smith '17, R. B. Klokow 'IS, E. S. Papson '14, "Babe" Steward 'lO, E. L. Gulick '13, R. E. Pritchard '14, W. C. Hulbert '18; Wright Hugus '13.
