Evening journal., 1917-06-08
U. S. Destroyer FlOtilla
Accompanies Ameri-
can General, Staff,
Engineers and Nurses
on Uneventful.
Voyage.
BRITISH EXTEND
WARM WELCOME
BY FRANK GETTY

United Press Staff Correspondent
A BRITISH PORT, June g.
Major General John j. Pershing,
commander of the first American
expeditionary force to France, ar
rived in England today accompa-
MED by his staff.
He reported a pleasant trip and
expressed the utmost astonish-
ment that the news of his depart
ure had been so successfully sup
pressed.
81 thought the whole world
knew about my leaving the United
States" he declared.
The American army chief and hIs
stan wero given a tremendous ovation
on their arrival.
special train was in waiting for tho
party. It was due 70 arrive in London
at 3 o'clock this afternoon.
eve are very glad to be the stansard-
; bearers Of our country in this great war
for civilization" General Pershing as
serted
ITO land on British soil and receive
such a welcome is very significant and
very deeply appreciated.
we expect soon TO be playing our
part-and / hope it viii be a t1.v large
part. on the western 'front.'"
Pcrshing and his staff worked hard az q,
the way across preparing plans for their
work In France.
There were l9s men in Pershinqs
! party, SO army officers and the remain
| der civilians or enlisted men of the
headquarters troop.
Distinguished British army and
navy officers met them here with the
warmest welcome.
The voyage over from America was
an uneYentful one. No submarines
were encountered and no mines seen.
The weather was good and the sea
smooth. American deStrOyers con.
YOyed the ship all the way. They we're
Joined by n ilOtilla of destrOyers nt n
point a hundred miles OF the Irish
coast.
The ship on which the Americans
arrived at $50 A. NJ. was given a
noisy welcome in the harbor.
When II docked q guard Of honor
lined up on the landing stage. includ-
ing high British army and navy OH
GERS. They stood rigid at salute as
the "Star Spangled Banner" was
played and as Pershing descended the
gangplank, he formally inspected a
group OF British soldiers who were In
the receiving party stopping to chat
a moment with one guardsman on
whose sleeve he had noticed stripes
showing he had been twice wounded
Pershing wanted to know the why
and wherefore Of the stripes and OF
the wounds. Then the American
general and his staff returned aboard
ship, lining up on the deck in salute
as tho band played God Save tho
King"
After all the formal ceremonies
General Pershing received a largo
party Of American and British news
paper men. answering their questions
oheerfully and readily
General pershing was garbed in the
regulation American khaki service
luntform and came down the gang
'plank smiling. vigorous and looking
in the best OF condition. He thanked
the ships captain for his safe trip and
warmly greeted the audience or digni-
ltaries who had assembled 70 DO MIN
honor.
Among this assemhlage was guard
Of honor from the Royal Welsh fusil
Iers. accompanied by their famous regi
mental hand aud their equally renowned
I Billveoat mascot Representatives of
the British admiralty and of the war
| office were the first to greet the Amcri-
can commander and his staff With
l their party was Admiral Stilcman sem
ior naval officer of the port: General
Campbell. commanding the western dis
trict of England the general command
Continued on Pnge Thirteen)