Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-28
FRANCES HAPP|EST DAY
SINCE BATTLE OF Marine
Pandemonium of Unending Cheers
Greets American Troops US
They Disembark.
FAvoRs sHowERED on THEM
Spick and Span. Their Eyes Spark
ling Fight. Men in Mighty Chorus
Declare They Will Chase Germans
Out of Country.
ny c. =. BERTELI.I


FRENCH PORT, June 81 (passed
by the cnsor).--Pershing's boys are
here.
thousands of them came within the
last twentyfour hours; out of the
misty vaStneSS OF the sea, U-boat
infested sea that held no terrors for
them, not Il torpedo scratch on a trans
port, not single man lost Spick and
span. with weathcr-browped faces,
their eyes sparkling fight every one
OF them. every inch man, they
tramped down the Eansways to the
strains of the "Star-Spangled Banner"
into pandemonium OF amending
cheers
Tonight they are already In camp
itching to get to the front. The camp
is not far from here. 1t is in charge
OF General William l.. Hilbert who
came in command OF the troops
PershinE is coming over from Paris
tomorrow to greet them. AS these
thousands of Americas fighting lads
poured off the transports, scores of
German prisoners stood on the pier.
Teeth Erimly set. they looked half
sideways at these strapping newcomers.
Those who watched the prisoners could
discern a grudGinG admiration in their
looks.
PEOPLE ALMOST WILD
WITH JOY OVER ARRIVAL
The remarkable thing about the
scenes attending the real entrance of
the United States into the world war.
through the safe arrival of the ex-
peditionary force. was the spontanietv,
tho touching warmth of their reception
here. Not an inkling OF the arrival
had leaked out beforehand There
had been no preparations, no programs
with speeches and songs no recep-
ton committee or the like. Not until
the Transports had safely arrived off
this port, ready TO discmhark, did the
momentous news become known. Then
tho people here simply got wild"
The FIRST transport struck her gray
nose into the harbor in the early morn
ing. The piers were swarmcd with
thousands. OF men, there were few.
of course, and these only aged and
wounded: the others are at the front.
The realization that these newcomers
are shortly to fight side by side with
the men of this port. who are already
in the thick Of battle, drove the women
frantic with JOY and gratitude.
The American troops answered the
cheers by throwing small silver coins
ashore. roaring scramble among
tho street urchins followed
They did not spend the coins for
candy. They wrapped them up care
fully in the ragged handkerchiefs, to
save them rs sacred souvenirs
DECENTRALIZATION GOES OFF
IN MOST ORDERLY MANNER
The decentralization passed off in
the most orderly manner. There was
not the slightest hitch. Ship after shin
slipped into her berth, dischargins
men and equipment Confusion seemed
an unknown quantity to these khaki
clad youths and their officers.
From the piers, the Americans
marched off through the streets Of this
port, where the whole popuiace had
turned out TO give them tremendous
ovation. The crowds showered favors,
fruits. cigarettes and daintcs upon
the marchers.
ing cry. And as proof that but one
confident thought was in the hearts of
those cheering thousands, this shout
was repeated over and over again:
"fou'll chase the Germans out Of
our country"
I'VE Will" came the thunderous
chorus from the Yankee boys
Their reception and progress through
the city were one great triumphal
march. The French onlookcrs re-
marked time and again upon the youth
and physique of the Americans
For France this was the proudest,
tho hapnieSt dpv Sipce tba N,r,o