Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-06-08
AND
PARTY REACH
D0CKABR0AD
Vessel Escorted Into Har-
Dor by American Destroy
ers-Is Met by Band.

London, June 9.-Gen-
eral Pershing and his
party arrived early this
morning at a port in Great
Britain.
The American general
and hospital party were
received by the officers of
the port, the general conn
handing the district and
the mayor. They were es-
corted from the dock by a
band and a guard of honor.
General Pershing arrived in
London this afternoon. He was
welcomed by Waiter Hines Page,
the American ambassador; Lord
Derby, secretary of state for war;
Niscount French, commanding the
British home forces and other Of
ficers, including Lord Brooke, who
viii be attached to General Perish
jng's staff during his stay In
England.
Arrival Kept Secret
The expected arrival Of General
Pershing and his party had been kept
a fairly close secret from the London
public until TODAY, but the many. prep
arations for the visitors which had
been going on in secrecy came into
public view early this morning. Sew
eraI floors Of rooms in a hotel had
been reserved for the American party
fF4F In
pleteIv transformed by the placing Of
numerous sign boards, the installa-
ton of bureaus of information etc,
designed to make the most efficient
possible use OF the place as temporary
American army headquarters.
Escorted by Destroyers.
A British Port June 8, III a. M
Major General Pershing and his staff
arrived here this morning after an
unevantfuI trip. All the members OF
his party were In good health and
spirits Their ship was escorted into
port by American destroyera-
A hearty welcome was extended to
the Americans by official representa-
tives Of ne admiralty the war Office
and the municipal authorities The
war Office has assigned a brigadter
general Of the British army as aide 20
General Pershing He took up his
duties with the commander-in-chief as
soon as the latter reached here
Is Stirring Scene,
The formal welcome to the Ameri-
cans on the landing stage was a stir
ring scene A guard of honor. COM
posed Of Royal Welsh fusilers, was
drawn up az the landing, with a reEi-
mental band When General Perish
ing had been introduced to the military
officer lin command of the port, he IN
spected the guard of honor, while the
band played The Star SpangIed BAN
Ber.
Per>hing Makes Statement.
General Pershlng said TO the Asso-
eiated Press
"Tba trip has been delightful. par
ticuiarIy tine latter stages, when we
were escorted through the danger zone
by Our own destroyers. Spea king for
myself and my staff. we are glad to he
the standard bearers Of America in
this great war for civilization The
opportunity of landing at a British
port and the welcome we received are
very significant and are deeply appre-
claEed We expect i'm the course Of a
F7rE short time 10 be playing cur part
which. T am confident viii he a very
big part en- he western 'front.'
General Persbing and his staff pro
ceeded toward London. Before leav-
ing the steamer the general thanked
the captain and crow for their cour-
tesies during the voyage.
Welcomed By Notables.
The British delegation which well
coined the Pershing party ON board
the deck 0f the liner consisted OF
Rear Admiral SUlemeu. Lieutenant
General sir William pietcaIrn Camp
bell and-the lord mayor Of Liverpool.
The ship was locked at 9 O'Clock
After the band had PLAYED the
American national anthem. It rendered
Cod Save the King" all present
standing at the salute throughout.
All Study French.
The voyage was q quiet one The
time was devoted by General Perish
ing and his STAFF 10 hard work with
close concentration on the study Of
French by all the officers. During the
trip there was a concert at which
General Pershing made an address.
There was great enthusiasm on board
when three American deztroyers
came up 10 act ais escorts.
Hard Task Ahead.
Paris. june s. t5.I5 a. m.1-GeneraI
Pershlngs task in France was de-
scribed as most aTudous one by Col
onel Fairy IN an interview with a rep-
fesentatlve Of the Petit Parisien Coi-
oneI Fabry said
IT is not an expeditiouarv corps
that viii be sent from the United
States but a veritable army. which
viii be increasingly swelled hv fresh
contingents and is destined to occupv
an ever increasing frorf