Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-09
j. S. GENERAL
AND PARTY AT
BRITISH PORT
Ship Bearing American Com
mander Escorted Through
War Zone, by Three
U. S. Destroyers.
BULLETIN.

London, June S.--General Pershing
arrived in London this afternoon. He
was welcomed by, Walter Hines Page,
the American ambassador; Lord
Derby, secretary Of state for war; Wis
count French, commanding the Brit
ish home forces. and other officers,
including Lord Brooke, who will be
attached to General Pershing's staff
during his stay in England.
The expected arrival OF General Per
shng and his party had been kept a
fairly close secret from the London
public. Several Doors of rooms in a.
hotel had been reserved Tor the Amer
lean party and the hotel this morning
was completely transformed by the
placing of numerous signboards, the
installation of bureaus Of information,
ETC., designed to make the most eff
cient possible use Of the place as tenn
porary American army headquarters.
His Countrymen Appear.
Leading Americans 10 London ap-
peared on the scene early today with
credentials as members OF various
committees.
General Pcrshing and the twelve
officers of his senior staff are to be
guests Of the British government at
the Savoy.
1t was shortly before 5 o'clock this
forenoon that General Pershng and
his party reached London and were
met by Ambassador Page, Viscount
French, Lord Derby, Sir Francis
Lloyd and General Lord Brooke.
Among other persons on the station
platform were Rear Admiral Sims, Y.
S. N, aud Robert P. Skinner, the
American consul general 2 y - .
Arrives at Port.
A British Port. June S.--Major Gen
eral John !. Pershing and his staff
arrived here this morning after All
uneventful trip. All the members OF
his party were in good health and
spirits. Their ship was escorted into
port by American destroyers.
A hearty welcome was extended to
| the Americans by official representa-
tives of the admiralty, the war Office
| and municipal authorities. The war
office has assigned brigadier general
of the British army as aide to Cen
eral Pershing. He took up his duties
, with the commander-in-chief as soon
as the latter reached here,
The formal welcome to the Ameri-
cans on the landing stage was stir
ring scene. A guard OF honor COM
posed of royal Welsh fusilers was
drawn up at the landing with a regi-
mental band. When General PERISH
ing had been introduced to the milf
tary officer in command of the port,
he inspected the guard of honor while
the band played THE Star Spanglcd
Banner"
General Talks Of Trip
General Pershing said to the Asso-
ciated Press:
The trip has beeir-delightful, par
ticularly the latter stages, when we
were escorted through the danger
zone by our own destroyers. Speak
ing for myself and my staff, we art
glad to be the standard bearers OF
America in this great wSr for civiliza-
ton. The opportunity OF landing at
British port and the welcome we re-
ceived are very significant and are
deeply appreciated. We expect in the
course of a short time to be
playing our part, which | hope will
be big part, on the western front"
General ,Peshing and his staff pro-
ceeded toward London. Before leav-
ing the steamer, the general thanked
the captain and crew for their cour-
tesies during the voyage.
The British delegation which vel,
coined the Pershing party on board
the deck of the liner consisted of
Rear Admiral Stileman, Lieutenant
| General Sir William Pitcairn Camp;
bell and the lord mayor of Liverpool.
The ship docked at 9 o'clock.
Band Plays American Anthem
| After the band had played the
American national anthem. it rem
! dered God Save the King" all pres
ent standing at salute Throughout.
The voyage was quiet one. The
Continued on Pays Two, Column Two.)