The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-15
That's First Job Tackled by
General Pershing and Staff.
Y. vi. c. A. Blazing Way for
Recreative AmusementS.
ENTIRE HOTEL is LEASED
This Will Be Nucleus for Vast
System Along Front.
Ban on Paris White Lights and
UnsavOry Boulevard Cafes.
BY w. S. FORREST.

Paris. June 15.-France hasn't
ceased marveling over General Per
shing and hts staff. It accepts as
ha Ppy augury of Americas full sup
port the dynamic energy with which
Pershing has entered into his duties
not losing a second between ottlclal
calls and official social obligations in
getting down to the stern business of
/ -aking ready for the American army
that he is to command.
Showers Pershing With Flowers.
Further evidence of Pershing S
popularity in Paris, no less than the
gratitude of France toward America
occurred today. a crowd kept gain
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 ana
bow his appreciation. Then the crowd
threw flowers, waved flags and re-
doubled its creers in Il Neritable pam
demonium of sound.
This evening, Pershing plans to
Journey to the tomb of the Marquis
de Lafayette and to place a wreath
there on the grave OF the Frenchman
who did so much for America in the
days of the revolution.
A huge American nag flies from the
temporary headquarters of the Amer
lean commander in the Rue Constan-
and his aides hard at work. Per-
shing's plans We're for a day of this
sort OF preparation. the only official
call on his list being visit to the min
iStry of marine late this afternoon.
Altho American khaki, cut in the
unique style Ito the F'rench) Of the
American uniforms is rapidly becom-
ing familiar sight on the boulevards
no Yankee" officer or soldier is per
u-itted to pass along without o>aticns
from spectators. Private soldiers
orderIies to the staff-are already pals
Of French poilus and tommies and
sightseeing with enthusiasm. But the
members of the American army staff
are not the only Americans who are
working to prepare for the hosts of
the fighting men the United States
will send.
New Branch of Y. VI. c. \.
The American army and navy Y. NJ.
G. A. of France a newly organized
branch is exceedingly busy planning
comforts. American baseball in the
Bots De Boulogne, tennis on the Ave
d Elysee, 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 it the
American workers plan to establish
what is expected to be the nucleus OF
a vast system of establishments in
French cities at the front, all to give
aid and comfort to the Americans II
the Paris branch the plans contem-
plate comfortable 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.
Launch Fight on Cafes.
As American troops arrive anC
spread themselves over the VariOu;
army sections, workers of the Pari:
organization will follow them, estab
fishing recreation centers as close tC
the camps as possible.
The same scheme is to be worked
at ports where American sailors are
to be granted liberty leave
The American Y. NJ. c. A brancl
in Paris is deliberately going to figh
the boulevard cafes of unsavory rep
tation. 1t is trying to make it
quarters and it's comforts so seductive
that the Americans won't be attracted