Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1917-06-09
Departure Kept Secret For
Obvious Reasons, and
Journey Uneventful.
GETS WELCOME
FROM OFFICIALS
Many Entertainments Arranged But
Sturdy Soldier Requests There BE
No Social Affairs -Preliminaries
Arranged on ShlpbOard.

London, June S.--FIeaded by Maj
Gen John Pcrshing, its commander,
the first representatives Of the Ameri-
can army that is to enter the Euro
pean war disembarked this morning
at British port, after an uneventful
voyage of ten days ON the White Star
liner Baltic.
The party was received with full
military hOnors and Immediately en-
trained for London, where 1t arrived
this afternoon and was welcomed by
the Earl OF Derby, minister OF war,
Viscount French. commander of the
British home forces, and American Of
ficias.
General Pershing's personal staff
and members Of the general staff who
will perform the preliminary work for
the first fighting force, number 81 Of
ficers, and are accompanied by q
squad of about so privates and large
civilian clerical force.
The American residents Of London
and various British organizations
have prepared an extensive program
Of entertainment for the American
party. but it is doubtful II much OF
it will be carried out, as General
Pershing, before being Informed Of the
plans, expressed a desire that there
be minimum Of anything in the ma
ture OF a celebration OF a social char
acter.
Work Hard on Voyage.
The entire contingent devoted itself
to the hardest kind OF work of an
organizing nature throughout the
journey and the whole atmosphere Of
the nation Is that of men embarking
on the grave enterprise with the
deepest realization Of it's difficulties
and demands. Among those taking &C
tive part on the various committees
Of entertainment are Mrs. John Aston.
Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, Mrs. w. Wilton
Phipps and Mrs. r. Craig McKerrow.
and Washington Wood, Almeric Paget,
and l.. w. Blackwell.
Pershing Makes Statement.
General Pershing said to the As
ISOLATED Press:
"The trip has been delightful, par
ticularly the latter stages, when we
were escorted through the danger zone
by our own destroyers. Speaking for
myself and my staff, we are glad to
be the standard bearers Of America In
this great war for civilization. The
opportunity of landing at British
port and the welcome we received are
very significant and are deeply ap-
preciated. We expect in the course OF
very short time to be playing our
part, which, hope. will be very big
part on the western 'front.'"
Was Fairly Close 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
eral floors of rooms In hotel had
been reserved for the American party
and the hotel this morning was COM
pletely transformed by the placing OF
numerous signboards. the installation
of bureaus Of information. etc.. de-
signed to make the most efficient pos
sible use Of the place as temporary
American army headquarters. Lead
ing Americans in London appeared ON
the scene early today with credentials
as members Of various committees.
General Pershing and the II officers
of his senior staff are to be guests
| of the British government at the
SaYOy