The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-06-30

| A FRENCH PORT, June 3O.-
American troops are already at
home on French soil.
One hour after they landed
from transports they had tents
pitched.
The Y. NJ. C. A. shelter was in
operation, with so American
khaki-clad warriors writing home
about their safe trip, while an
American photograph ground out
Home, Sweet Home
All of the American troops
which have so far arrived are now
landed and in camp. Officers OF
the United States contingent, no
less than of the French and Brit
ish armies, expressed the liveliest
satisfaction at the businesslike
fashion in which the disembarking
OF the troops was accomplished.
| Meets German Prisoner.
The Americans hurried to "get
acquainted" just as soon as the
detachments were dismissed
ashore. One bronzed Cleveland
err, new recruit-aceOsted a
German prisoner working in the
streets.
The enemy prisoners had been
watching the landing with farsee-
ing eyes. The Cleveland boy
spoke a few brief phrases to him
in German.
You're an American" the
German responded. You're not
coming here to fight greasers
now. You'll find this different"
And he went on up the street.
"ignorantest Niger"
A big husky negro, one of the
stevedores on the transport fleet
and an enlisted worker, thought
he had found a friend when he
espied the black face of French
colonial. He went up Immediate
ly, his face parted in a smile of
greeting and spouting away about
how glad he was to see another
negro" But the French colonial,
who spoke only French, didn't un-
derstand the dusky and voluble
person who had accosted him.
He muttered few phrases In
French, looked little frightened
and tried to slip by.
That's the ignorantest niger
ever saw in my life," disgustedly
remarked the American negro ta
a soldier passing by
General Meet.
For the first time in history, two
American generals on belliger-
ent mission have met, saluted and
clasped hands on French soil.
| If wnc tho pnoatipo nf Moi Gon
John j. Pershing and Maj. Gen.
William L. Sibert here.
BLACK Jack" Pershing arrived
to meet with his men two days
after every last Sammy had
been disembarked, luggage and
all, from the great American
transports.
This is the happiest of the
busy days | have spent in France
preparing for the arrival Of our
first contingent" the commander
in-chief of the American forces
declared.
To-day have seen our troops
safe on French soil from trans
ports safeguarded in their passage
by the resourceful vigilance Of
our navy.
Now, our task as soldiers lies
clear ahead. We hope, with the
aid of the French leaders, who
have placed all the results of
their experiences at our disposal,
to make this force worthy in skill
and determination to fight side
by side with our brothers in arms
of French army"
Thousands of Sammies Parade.
Gen. Pershing visited Admiral
lGleaves, commanding the navy
convoy squadron, aboard the flag
lship of the convoy fleet the even
ling following his arrival. The
admiral was probably the busiest
man in the port.
Thousands Of the American
Troops, glad to get a chance to
stretch their legs, paraded thru
the town, their first evening
ashore, headed by a band The
entire town turned out to greet
them. Cheers and tears mingled
as the Sammies" swung, waving
back to the French men and
women, waving flags and fairly
Icarried away with their enthusi-
assn.
One little barber hustled out
of his shop to watch the troops
march by.
They'll finish the war soon,"
he said as he waved greeting
to the sturdy Americans. ''Vive
la France, Vive PAmerique." and
his cry was taken up by the
throngs cheering the khaki-clad
boys from the states.
French Port busy.
This French port looks to he
the busiest spot on the face of the
earth.
The streets are crowded with
army wagons and trucks, the side
walks choked with men in the
american khaki, the American
navy blue, mixed with an occa-
sional CLINT of the French army
uniform.
American speed and American
energy have made their indeIible
impression on the city.
A babel of sound arises every
where. Not the least contribute
ing element to the noise is the
chatter of the American soldiers
and sailors trying out their French
on the inhabitants and the French
searching their minds and twist