The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-06-15
GETTING READY J
FOR AMER|C; 8,
rs ;,
Paris Still Mafvels a. : = eral
Pershing and Stat lie
Preparing 7
Troops.
CHEER KHAKI CLOTHES
Army and Navy Y. M. C. A. Planning
Comforts for United States
Soldiers When They
Como.
CHEER KHAKI CLOTHES
[By w. 8. Forrest, United
Staff CorrespOndent.1

fAftlS, June lot rTAuCo udS AoI
ceased marveling over General Perish
ing and his staff. 1t accepts as an
evidence Of Americas full support.
the dynamic energy with which
Pershing has entered into his duties
not losing second between official
calls and official social obligations In
getting down to the stern business
of making ready for the American
army that he is to command.
"A huge American flag flies from
the temporary headquarters OF the
American staff in the Rue Constantn,
and 9 o'clock today saw the American
commander and his aids hard at work.
Pershing's plans were for day OF
this sort of preparation, the only
official call on his list being visit
to the ministry Of marine late this
afternoon.
Although American khalu cut in
the unique style Ito the French) OF
the American uniform is rapidly be-
coming familiar sight on the boule-
wards, no Yankee" officer or soldier
is permitted to pass along without
ovaticns from spectators. Private
soldiers orxier1ies to the staff. are
already pals of French poilus and
tommies and sight seeing with en-
thusiasm.
But the members of the American
army staff are not the only Anleri-
cans who are working to prepare for
the hosts of fighting men the United
States will send. The American
army and navy Y. M. C. A. of France,
a newly organized branch, is exceed
ingly busy planning comforts. Amer
lean baseball In the Bois De Boulogne,
tennis on the Ave D'Dlysee, classes
in French, bicycle expeditions into
the country-are some Of the things
planned for the American soldiers
and sailors when they arrive. A large
hotel has already been tentatively
rented. In 1t the American workers
plan to establish what is expected to
be the nucleus of vast system of
establishments in French cities at
the front, all to give aid and comfort
to the Americans. In the Paris
branch, the plans contemplate COM
Portable reading and writing rooms,
billiard tables, gymnasiums. showers,
restaurants and sleeping quarters.
Some of the best known Americans
in Paris are working to Perfect all
the details.
AS American troops arrive and
spread themselves over the various
dIuy ZOucS, "OlhclS VI lie
organization, will follow them, estab-
fishing recreation centers as close 70
the camps as possible. The same
scheme is to be worked at ports
where American sailors are to be
granted liberty leave.
The Americans Y. M. C. A. branch
in Paris is deliberately going to
fight the boulevard cafes of unsav.
cry reputation. 1t is trying to make
it's quarters and its comforts so
seductive that the Americans won't
be attracted by the bright lights of
Paris.
Further evidence Of Pershing's
popularity in Paris, no less than the
gratitude of France toward America,
occurred today. A crowd kept gath
ering around the American command
er's headquarters until the street was
literally choked. They cheered again
and again, until Pershing was finally
induced to come to a balcony and
bow his appreciation. Then the crowd
threw flowers, waved flags and re-
doubled its cheers in veritable pan
demonium Of sound.
This evening Pershing plans to
journey to the tomb Of Marquis De La
fayette and to place wreath there,
on the grave Of the Frenchman who
did so much for America in the days
of the revolution.