Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-06-14
RANCE OPENS ARMS
To PERSH|NC AND
MEN Of HIS STAFF
CRepubIican A. P. Leased Wire1

BOULOGNE, France, June 13.-Maj
panied by his staff, today put his foot
on French soil as commander of the
American military expedition. French
British, Belgian and Italian officers
and soldiers saluted their new allied
comrades, the American national an
them was played by a military band
and a guard of honor stood al present
arms as the sip bearing the American
general to the scene of the war came
in to dock. General Pershing stood on
the quarter deck surrounded by As
American staff officers, with SO mill
tary clerks and 81 American enlisted
men forming the background.
On the quay was brilliant assembly
of French officers and officials. Stand
ing or clinging to vantage points ev-
erywhere about the maritime station
and on the landing stage We're thou
sands of soldiers, most of them British.
either going on leave toward England
or returning to the trenches.
As the gangplank was let down on
the quay, The Star Spangled Banner
was changed into the stirring Mar
seillaise" and Rene Besnard, under
secretary of war, and General Dumas,
commander of the northern district of
France, went aboard to extend official
greetings. Only few words were ex-
changed. General Dumas said:
I'VE know you have come to see the
war right through and we welcome
you in the name of civilization and
humanity"
Among those who greeted General
Pershing were General Pelletier who
l.a H.
eral Pershing during the war, and
Colonel Daru, military governor of
Boulogne d grandson of the Napole-
onic general Daru, who at the begin
ming of the last century prepared for
an invasion of England
There was perfect silence when
General Pershing descended the gang
plank to the pier Then there came a
gigantic roar from the soldiers on the
pier, which extended gradually along
the harbor until it reached the streets
of the town where it was taken up by
the pubic. General Pershing inspect
ed the guard of honor, composed of
veteran territorials, many of whom
have seen fighting on every part of
the front, and whose breasts glittered
with medals and war crosses.
While the train which was to take
General Fershing to Paris was being
made up, the American commander,
with his staff, and accompanied by
French officials, drove in automobiles
through the principal streets of Bou-
lOgne. On the trip General Pershing
was accorded an ovation by the
tcwnspople and appeared deeply
touched by the reception.
As the train left for Paris there
was another outburst of enthusiasm
for General Pershing and his party.
Shortly after he had stepped ashore
General Pershing addressed the news
paper correspondents who gathered
about him. as follows:
Undoubtedly this is a most i'm
pressive day for all of us-the arrival
of the vanguard of the American
forces in France. 1t has impressed
us all very deeply. We more fully
appreciate the significance of our
entry into the war, after having
stepped on the shores of France, than
ever before, and now it will be very
serious thing for us.
Il feel warranted in saying that
America is in the war to do her
share, whatever that share may turn
out to be, whether great or small.
Continued on Page Two)