Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-13
BOILoGNE. France, ,T,,ne IA

Cneering thOusandS some moved TO tears,
welcomed to French soil today the COM
nander -in-chief Of the army which America
Is TO send to Join France in making the
world safe for democracy.
The tall sodierly appearing figure Of
Major General John J. Pershing, garbed in
the business-like khaki Of the American
army, was acclaimed as France has seldom
acclaimed in all her history.
Frenzied crowds packed the streets to
shout their joys and wave the Tricolor Of
France with the same three colors OF the
Star Spangled Banner.
Pershing arrived at 9:40 this morning.
He had made a quick and an uneventful
trip over from England France has been
waiting eagerly for him TO step on her soil.
PERsHING DEEPLY MOVED
Pershing deeply moved by the
greeting he received here
Il consider this one of the most impor-
tant moments in American history" he
said. "Our arrival on French soil, con-
Btituting as we do the advance guard Of an
American army. makes us realize to the
fullest the Importance of Americas par
ticipation.
Our reception has moved us deeply.
can only reafiirm that America has entered
the war with the Intention Of performing
her full share-however great or small, the
ruture will dictate. Our allies can depend
upon that absolutely"
French Government officials formally
welcomed Pershing and his staff in the
name Of the nation and the Americans were
taken TO a special train en- route for Paris
After Pershing and the officers OF his st m
had disembarked and had been taken awav
In automobiles. .1loh Commissioned officers and
privates-orderlies and attaches to the
american generals 'ehtourage-swarmed of
the vessel and mixed joyously with the
crowd at the railway station.
GREET BROTHERS IN ARMS
~.
welcome their new brothers in arms-snd
French poilus as well. Hundreds of hand
shakings and embraces marked the meet
ing of these representatives of three great
armies now pledged to a common purpose
The crowds thrilled at the spectacle of the
Khaki groups of three as they marched arm
IN arm.
The Americans were trying out their
French or swapping slang with the Tom
mics. and the poilus were proudly exhibit
ing their English words in return while
the Britishers tried to compress into a
few minutes conversation some of tho
fighting lore they had learned at the front
1t was hard work for the American noncoms
70 leave their new-found friends and board
the train.
The British TommIes were part Of those
aboard several big troop ships discharging
their human cargoes al the time the Amer
Jeans arrived.
Boulogne harbor was alive early in the
morning awaiting the arrival of the Amer
lean general and his staff The first notice
mat the ship was finally arriving came with
the roar Of salutes from French patrol boats
in the outer harbol. Then the British troop
ships hastily shifted their anchorage to
allow the boat with all its all-important
cargo to dock at the principal wharf.
CEREMONIES AT PIER
There a huge American flag was flung
70 the breeze from the topmost part of the
landing stage, while on the dock itself a
brilliant, colorful assembly awaited, cheer
Ing so that their welcome must have been
heard far out over the waters as the boat
slowly nosed her way between the whistle
Ehrielsing and gun-barking craft in be-
tween.
on the dock were British, French and
Belgian officers. formally drawn up in
rigid salute, as General Pershing first put
his foot on French soil and gave evidence
in the flesh Of Americas determination to
dghr
Rene Besnard Under Secretary Of War,
was the governmental representative at this
notable scene. He arrived from Paris
barely in time to scurry to the dock and
shake hands with the American commander
rs he. stepped ashore.
BOY GETS AUTOGRAPH
A small French boy who edged forward
IN the crowds that greeted the American
general was noticed by Pershing He
wanted something and Pershlng wanted to
know what it was He came forward and
shyly shook hands with the big smiling
American and then asked him to sign an
autograph album. proudly displaying the
signatures which he had already obtained
IN It from Marshal Joffre and Field Marshal
Haig. General Pershing stopped right there
and signed the book.
At Paris, II was announced today
Pershing will make his headquarters in the
Hotei Crillon until he selects stan head
quarters at the French front