Unknown Images: Image 10--French Tour


Figure 10.-- Here we have a fascinating set of images taken by a Paris newspaper. The boys are marching down a rather deserted Paris stree. Some of the boys are clear Boy Scouts, but others are in rather unusual uniforms. The photograpghs are undated, but we know that they were taken during or after 1913 because some of the boys are carrying the 48-star American flag. The photograph could have been taken during the 1910s, but the early 20s is possible. We at first thought American Scouts going to Paris during World War was unlikely, what with lurking U-boats, but now think it is possible.

Here we have a fascinating set of images taken by a Paris newspaper. Some of the boys are clear Boy Scouts, but others are in rather unusual uniforms. The photograpghs are undated, but we know that they were taken during or after 1913 because some of the boys are carrying the 48-star American flag. The photograph could have been taken during the 1910s, but the early 20s is possible. We at first thought American Scouts going to Paris during World War was unlikely, what with lurking U-boats, but now think it is possible. Notice how deserted the street is. The boys are on some kind of tour, which is the only word we can make out on a flag being carried. The boys are depicted both marching in Paris as well as camping in the countryside or a park. The photographs are stamped "Le Journal, 100 Rue Richelieu of Paris" which I assume is a newspaper.

Organization

Here we have a fascinating set of images taken by a Paris newspaper. We are not entirely sure, however, about the group shown. We see boys marching through Paris and then camping un the country side. Some of the boys are obviously Boy Scouts, but others are in rather unusual uniforms. Some of the boys are clearly American, but we do not know for sure that they all are. Nor are we positive that they all are Boy Scouts. Some of the boys are wearing suits that look more like school uniforms. Their caps have crests that are difficult to make out. From the look of the impage here, there is a fairly large group, but the uniforms of the boy in the extreme rear of the column are difficult to make out. They look like more Scouts, probably American Scouts. The fact that all the flags and banners are in English, suggests to us that these are all American boys. And they are probably all Scouts, although we are not sure about this.

Chronology

The photograpghs are undated, but we know that they were taken during or after 1913 because some of the boys are carrying the 48-star American flag. The photograph could have been taken during the 1910s, but the early 20s is possible. One of the images show the boys with a flag that seems to show the date "1913". It also seems to read "World's Fair". That might suggest that the boy are coming to Paris for the World's Fair. The only problem here is that there was no World's Fair in Paris during 1913. Also we seem to read "Franciso" onthe flag. And there was a a World's Fair in San Francisco during 1915 so what looks like 1913 is probably 1915. That does not netecarily mean that the photograph was taken in 1915. Perhaps they were just proclaiming that they visited the World's Fair. But the most likely interpretation, I think. is that the boys were from San Francisco and advertising the World's Fair. This the photograph was probably taken in 1915 during World War I. Given that the boys are camping and they probably would not have gone during the school year, one might guess that it is July or August. The way the French are dressed, however it does not look like summer. We even see French boys in their school smocks.

World War I (1914-18)

We at first thought American Scouts going to Paris during World War was unlikely, what with lurking U-boats, but now think it is possible. Perhaps it was before America entered the War. After the sinking of the Lusitania (May 7 1915), the Germans suspended unrestricted submarine warfare. Notice how deserted the street is.

Event

The boys are on some kind of tour, which is the only word we can make out on a flag being carried. I think this rules out a Scouting evennt like a jamboree and at any rate the first jamboree was held in London after World War I. Curiously the American Scouts are wearing the short pants uniform. At the time American Scouts wore breeches and this this uniform was usually only worn to camps or Scout events like jamborees. We wonder if this is not some kind of peace tour. Another possibility is that the boys are attending the 1920 World Scout Jamboree in London and made a side trip to London.

Location

The boys are depicted both marching in Paris as well as camping in the countryside or a park. I'm not sure just where in Paris the photograph here was taken. Presumbly our French readers will recognize the building in the background. It looks like a railroad station to me. They may be marching out of the train station having just arrived in Paris. Nor do we know where the park shown was located.

Camping

We see the boys marching through Paris and a city park. We also see the boys camping with their tents. They are being visited by Paris officials, among these military officers. The presence of the military suggests to us that the photographs were taken during or just after the War. I'm not sure just where they are camping. My guess is that it is in a Paris park because I doubt if Paris or other government officials are going to trudge very far into the country to see a group of Boy Scouts. Presumably this was not serious camping as they were in a park. Rather it was where the boys could stay at night while sightseeing during the day.

Indian Lore Demonstration

Here is a photograph of presumably American boys doing an Indian lore demonstration. We are not positive it is the same group as we see marching in Paris, but we assume that it probabky was. In the case of this photo, it was dated 1920. The boys are seen sitting around a tee-pee in an arena. We note large numbers of people in the balcony watching them sitting around the tee-pee. I'm not sure just what attrracted the crowd, surely not just to see the boys sitting there. There was an enormous interest in Europe about Native Americans at the time. Presumably the boys had a routine that they periodically performed.

Le Journal

The photographs are stamped "Le Journal, 100 Rue Richelieu of Paris" which I assume is a newspaper.

First World Jamboree

Now it is possible that these American Scouts attending the First Boy Scout Jamboree in London and are making a side trip to Paris. One photograph is dated 1920, although I am not positive it is connected with the other photographs. An Australian reader writes, "One particular thing of interest is, all contingents, up until a few years ago, marched through the town or city that was hosting the jamboree. This may have been just such a procession. It was common for each country to march in an alphabetical order and the US scouts may have been marching as American scouts. This would put the other ‘A’ countries following behind. Another thing of interest is, you can only see the US flag clearly, so the other countries flags may be a little further back. If they were attending the World Jamboree, they may well have caught the ship to France and travelled by train to the country hosting the jamboree. What you may be seeing in the picture is the scouts marching from the docks to the railway station."







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Created: 11:27 PM 2/24/2006
Last updated: 3:03 AM 2/25/2006