The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-14
GEN. PBRSHING
REACHES PARIS
JOyOusly Acclaimed, Both at
BOulOgne and in the French
Capital.

PARIS. June 1S.-Ma jor-Gen. Pershins,
L. $. A.. arrived in Paris late to-
day. having crossed to Boulogne from
England early in the morning.
The General received a tumultuous
welcome as he proceeded through the
thronged boulevards. At the station he
was welcomed by Marshal Joffre. Am
bassador Sharp and Paul Painleve, Min
lister Of War.
Paris had a whole day TO prepare a
welcome. and had taken advantage Of
the time. The hour OF arrival had been
announced so that all Paris lined the
route through the Boulevard Denain. the
Rue Lafayette. the Place de rOpera. the
Boulevards. the Rue Royale, the Place
de la Concorde to the Hotel Crillon
which will be the American headQuar-
ters
They cheered the American General
and cheered Marshal Joffre with equal
heartiness. NJ. Viviani. who accom-
panied NJ Painleve. wore a small enam
elled American flag in his buttonhole.
Tonight Ambassador Sharp gave
&inner at the American Embassy. where
Gen. Pershing met the chief members
of the French Cabinet and officers of the
army and the navy.
President Poincare will receive Gen.
Pershing tomorrow and will entertain
him at luncheon with notable guests at
the Palace of the Elysee
Francois de lessen is an interview
printed in the Temps quotes Major
Gen. Pershing as saying
Il came to Europe to organize the
participation of our army in this i'm
mense conflict Of free nations against
the enemies of liberty, and not to de-
liver fine speeches at banquets or have
them published in the newspapers Be-
sides. that is not my business. and you
know we Americans-soldiers and civil
ians--like not only to appear but to be
businesslike. However. since you offer
me occasion Ito speak to France | am
glad to make you short and simple
confession.
"As a man and as a soldier | am pro-
foundly happy. indeed proud, of the high
mission with which / am charged But
all this is purely personal and conse-
Quently might appear out OF proportion
with the solemnity of the hour and the
gravity of events now occurring.
IF have thought 1t proper to indulge
in this confidence 1t is because / wish
to express my admiration for the hero
ism OF the French soldier and at the
same time express my pride in being at
the side of the French and allied armies.
ut is much more important. I think,
to announce that We are the precursors
of an army that is firmly resolved to do
its part on the Continent for the cause
the American nation has adopted as
its own. We come conscious Of the his
toric duty to be accomplished when our
flag shows itself upon the battlefelds>of
the Old World. II is not my role to
promise or prophesy. Let 1t suffice to
tell you We know what we are doing
and what we want
Shortly after he had stepped ashore
Gen. P,rshing addressed the newspaper
correspondents who gathered about him
as follows:
Undoubtedly this is a most impress
sive day for all OF us-the arrival of
the vanguard of the American forces
in France 1t has impressed us all very
deeply. We more fully appreciate the
significance OF our entry into the war.
after having stebped on the shores OF
France, than ever before. and now it
will be a very serious thing for us.
II feel warranted in saying that
America Is in the war TO do her share.
whatever that share may turn out to
be. whether great or small, feel every
assurance in saying that that can be
fuliy counted upon."