The sun., 1917-08-16
LONDON PRENZIEDLY
GREETS Us. TROOPS
Americans Parade Streets Of
Capital Amid Unparalleled
Enthusiasm.
sALUTED BY ROYALTY
Receive HOn0rs Never Paid to
Any Other Detachment Of
Foreign Troops.

LONDON, Aug. 16.-eeldom has London
risen TO such heights Of enthusiasm ~
It showed to-day when American troops
marched through streets lined by thou
sands upon thousands Of cheering people
TO Buckingham Palace. where they were
reviewed by King George. Then they
wheeled into the park at the rear Of the
palace, probably the frst troops Of .
foreign Power that ever camped there.
and lunch was served to them. After
brief rest the American soldiers resumed
their march through the city and the
earlier scenes Of enthusiasm were re-
peated. Later they departed from
" aterloo station.
The streets were decorated with Amer
lean and British fags. As the troops
approached Whitehall a Cabinet meeting
that was in progress was adjourned to
enable the Premier and the other Min
listers to pay their respects to the Ameri-
cans, who were hailed in some Of the
afternoon papers az Sons OF the I'i-
grims back in London"
Just before the Americans left Lon
don taxicabs filled with old men fell In
behind the procession. They bore big
banners inscribed London Division.
L. 8. Civil War Veterans" The veterans
$1,000 IN inc CdDB anu CHSoICus Nio
hindmost troops responding.
News Held Back Until Late.
The officials had known for several
days Of the contemplated march Of the
Americans through London. but the fact
was kept quiet until It was announced
late yesterday through the newspapers.
The feeding OF the Americans In Lon
don--breakfast and luncheon-was un-
dertnken by the War ONCE through the
Army and Navy Canteen Board. and the
arrangements met with the approval Of
the persons chiefly concerned - the
troops
The streets, from the Horse Guards up
whitehall to Trafalgar Square. Picca-
dilly. Grosvenor Gardens. Buckingham
Palace. the Mall and Westminster
Bridge, were banked solidly with men.
women and children hours before the
march began.
When the troops swung into White
hall a roar Of cheers, which was heard
many blocks away, was started. 1t
continued all along the route. All traffic
was stopped Windows and roofs were
crowded Persons in the throngs or
spectators continually shouted out greet
,ngs such as Were glad to see you.
Americf.' and Go get them. boys
The Americans for the most part kept
their eyes to the front. Only occa-
sionally did a man here or there look
to the right or left, grinning broadly or
wiggling a hand in such way that the
officers could not see him
Greeted by Royalty.
The greatest crowd gathered In front
OF Ruckingham Palace. The Kings
party included Field Marshal French.
commander OF the home forces. Queen
Mother Alexandra and Princess Mary.
Just before .he last OF the troops passed
Premier Lloyd George hurried up in
motor car. The Premier was recognised
by the guards and the parade was
halted for a moment while his car
passed through.
TIN people filled the broad plaza and
overnowed to the palace grounds. the
King, accompanied by the Queen. the
household stan and officers. took his
place at the gate. The Americans then
filed past. eyes left. officers at salute.
while the bands played and tho cheering
and waving OF hags continued.
As the first Stars and Stripes passed
with the ranks the King and his party
raised their hands in salute. The flag
was dipped and the crowd roared ap-
proval so vigorously that the King was
forced to smile. The windows and roof
Of the palace were crowded with SOL
diers and attendants. who silently waved
to the Americans
a slight rain fell from the sunny sky
during the review. but not a spectator
departed. As each flag passed the King
saluted. and the enthusiasm OF the
crowds became almost uncomfortable.
Men threw their hats into the air. Some
~ ba hat hn ~
Tommies and colonials. such as Aus
tralians and Canadians.
The allied soldiers in the crowds. in
common with other spectators, COM
mented on the youthfulness, soidierly
bearing and snappiness OF the Ameri-
cans. Regrets were heard on all sides
that they were not permitted to have
leave while In London. so that each
man personally might have "a warm well
come.
A picturesque feature Of the visit Of
the Americans was the open air lunch
con served in Green Park, which Is the
centre of the fashionable section. over
looked by Buckingham Palace on one
side and the Piccadilly clubs and ducal
residences on the other sides. Hundreds
of tables with white cloths were spread
and hundreds OF Mattresses attended the
soldiers. whose arms were stacked about
the tables.
While they ate thousands of persons
gaxed upon the troops through the iron
ratings around the park. and the win
dows OF all the clubs and the residences
were nlled with spectators. Whenever
| English girls could get near enough to
the soldiers they pleaded for buttons or
| regimental badges as souvenirs They
/ got many OF them.
Praised by Newspapers.
The evening newspapers unite in
praise OF the American soldiers The
| Standard says:
Lean, 1.-THE. straightbacked, sallow,
| thin Tipped, set jawed. they impressed
everybody as doers rather than dream
ers, men of few words, who look you
straight In the eye. take your measure
at a glance. give you their opinion in a
| rough epgram and then get TO business.
They are q distinct set Of men OF a def
mite type, not Canadian. not Australian.
not New Zealander. but In the snap of
the eye and the expression of the mouth
something distinctly United States"
The Wcstn,tnster Gazette observes:
mot since the war broke out have
there been such manifestati tions Of enthu-
| siasrn, such density OF crowds. The pro-
cession brought home vividly TO London
the fact that we have great new ally,
| and London celebrated that recognition
with q demonst ration of unusually Viva
cious responsiveness"
The Pail Mall Gazette says tho pro-
| na,.Iop n yiaf,la aiup that xh> .N,l