The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-30
Commander Cheered
at Port by His Troops.
Streets Crowded With Trucks,
Wagons and e. S. Soldiers.
NOW READY TO FIGHT
Not a Man Lost on Long VOy-
age Across Atlantic.
Had Frequent Warnings, but
Saw No Submarines.

French Port, June 30.-It was
the meeting of Maj. Gen. John J.
Pershing, and Maj. Gen. William L.
Sibert here, where the American ex-
peditionary army is waiting restlessly
to get into action, safe and sound aft
er a journey over perilous waters.
BLACK jack Pershing arrived to
meet with his men two days after ev-
cry last Sammy had been disem-
parked, luggage and all from the great
American transports.
This is the happieSt day of the busy
days 1 have spent in France preparing
for the arrival Of our first contingent"
the COMMUNICATIVE chief of the Amer
lean forces declared. To-day 1 have
seen our roops safe on French soil
from transports safe guarded in their
passage by the resourceful vigilance of
our navy.
Task Ahead Is Clear.
Now our task as soldiers lies clear
ahead. We hope with the aid of the
French 'eaders, who have placed all
the 'esults of their experience at our
disposal, to make this force worthy in
skill and determination to fight side
by side with our brothers in arms of
the French army"
Pershing received, an enthusiastic
welcome from his officers and men.
He was accompanied by General Pei
letter. the French army officer, de-
tailed to his staff, and a number of
American officers who have been bus
lily working in the Rue Constantin,
Paris, preparing for the fighting men.
The party held a long conference
with General Sibert and later formal
ly inspected the American camp. Then
the American army joined hands with
the American navy in a luncheon
which Admiral Gleaves, commanding
the navy conveying squadron to the
transport flotilla, rendered Pershing
and his staff.
Busiest Spot on Earth.
This French port looks to be the
busiest spot on the face of the earth.
The streets are crowded with army
wagons and trucks, the sidewalks
choked with men in the American
khaki, the American navy blue, mixed
with an occasional CLINT of the French
army uniform. American speed and
American, energy have made their in
delibIe impression on the city.
A babel of sound arises every
where. Not the least contributing ele-
ment 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 twisting their tongues trying to
talk English.
First Troops Landed Tuesday.
The first contingent of American
troops, landing Tuesday, were greeted
joyfully by the population of this
whole district.
The transports, whose expected ar
rival had not been announced publicly
came steaming into the harbor in a
long line at an early hour. The news
that the Americans were arriving
spread with amazing rapidly and by
/ the time the troop ships drew along
side the quays where the men were tc
disembark thousands of persons were
! on hand to greet them.
whistles Shrieked Welcome.
A wild welcome was shrieked by
whistles of craft in the harbor ant
: cries of '"Vive La France" and "Viv'
Les Etats-Unis' Omitted States
seemed to come from every throa
/ in the crowd, which was thickly dot
ted with the vari-colored uniforms o
French soldiers and sailors. Mean
while the bands on the warships Wer,
! PLAYING The Star Spangled Banner
and the "Marseillaise" as the Amer
lean colors were hoisted. Delegation
of American army officers from Pari
and American naval men from else
where were present with French mill
tary men of high rank and a simila
REPRESENTATION from the French nav
to receive the new fighting forces o
the allies.
Land was first sighted from tn
transports on Monday night after a.
exciting trip through the submarin
zone. Frequent warnings of sub
marines operating in the expedition
course were received during the las
few days of the voyage and the pass
age thru the war zone was made a
high speed.
Remarkable Success, Says Pershins
Paris, June 30.-Not man was 10:
during the transfer of the America
forces to France, and there was nc
even a case of serious illness, said Ma
jor General Pershing, the America
commander, on his return to his head
,. quarters today after a quick trip
the port of debarkation.
The landing of the first America
| troops has been a complete success
he said.
In this remarkable transfer of
, large force across the ocean-one
the largest operations we have eve
undertaken-not a man or an animi
, was lost or injured and there was nj
a single case of serious sickness, moth
. ing but few unimportant cases
mumps.
THE men landed in splendid moral
with keen, confident and eager splrl
: 1.-The physical appearance of OF
: men is truly inspiring. They are a
l fine husky young fellows, with tn
- glow of energy, good health and ply
steal yigcr which will make them
credit along side any troops They al
; exceptionally we'll camped and care
/ for with substantial wooden barrack
good beds, good food and the best sar
/ itary arrangements. For all of this W
f are deeply indebted to French cO-ol
Grafton with members of my staff"