Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-16
Pershing, at Front,
Meets General Petdin

Continued from Page One
Of almost every one else in that hosiery
and motored of at once to his Office head
quarters in the Rue Constantin. There he
jumped into an enormous accumulation OF
correspondence.
The first rush out of the way the gem
eral began calling for his staff officers and
after short snappy conferences with them
went back again to his stenoErapher
vast amount Of detail work faces the gen.
eral and his stan and they attacked 1t to-
day with an energy and enthusiasm that
made the headquarters hum with activity.
Later in the morning French army officers
and War Onico heads came for conferences.
General Pershing had laid down the rule
that the trip TO the trout should not be
taken until all the office work was out OF
tho way.
General Pershlng has lived in an at
mosphere of battle. His room in the Hotel
Crillon where he received visitors is decor
ated with pictures of famous battles and
the windows themselves overlook the his
toro Place de la Concorde.
The headquarters building, in the Rue
| Constantln-Pershing's "office'--is a simple
one OF two stories with a gable roof and
| windows trinity fitted with awnings its
general architecture being reminiscent of
American army barracks quarters. A big
American flag hangs over the door.
One bare wooden table, on which there
are piles of letters and documents, was
| Pershlngs workbench"
Pershing's two-day ceremonial program
| concluded with an impressive scene at the
| tomb Of Lafayette, where he placed a
wreath on the sarcophagus-the simple
stone slab marking the resting place OF
| Americas friend. Pershing stood, head
barred in tho blazing, sun as the Marquis
de Chambrun in a few eloquent words
spoke of the inseparable link between
America and France forged by Lafayette
Then. moved with emotion, Pershlng re-
sponded briefly. almost haltngly-the buzz
OF an aeroplane engine overhead almost
drowning his low-voiced words.
KISSES NAPoLEoNs SWORD
Yesterday General Pershing received thu
signal honor of being allowed to touch th'
sword and the grand cross OF the cordoT
Of the Legion of Honor which belonged t
Napoleon. Not even a Frenchman has beer
permitted to touch them. The ceremon!
was in the Invalides.
General Pershing and his stan were con
Quoted to the crypt by Marshal Joffre whit
followed the precedent laid down by Ma
poleon, that only a marshal of France migh
remain covered in his presence. The gren
key was inserted in the brass door Of tn
crynt Marshal Joffre and General Niox
Governor of the Invalldes, drew aside, Will
General Pershing faced the door alone II
took q deep breath stepped suddenly for
ward and with a single motion threw hi
arm straight out and turned the key In
tiny alcove at one side Of the crypt tn
governor of the Invaldes unlocked tn
case drew out the sword and raised II L
his lips. Then he presented the hilt 4
General Pershing. WHO received it. held 1
at salute for n moment and then kissed tn
hlt. The same ceremony was followed wit
the Cross OF the Gordon of the Legion o
Honor, General Pershing holding the eros
TO his lips before passing It back to tn
governor