New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-05
Racknool ENGLAND Opens Arms to First Contingent of
American Amy-Nlayor and Town Council Officials
Receive Men-Mayoress to Entertain Unit

Town Council and the rest of the COM
pany.
Within a minute or so the loud
cheering along Talbot Road denoted the
troops were marching down. and quickly
the band Of the r. A. VI. c. (Ripon
Training Centre move in sight at the
head of the troops. playing lively
march. Cheers upon cheers reverbe-
rated from the crowds lining the streets
and Talbot Square as the American
troops marched smartly past.
The American band was followed by
two Of the men carrying a large Union
Jack and the Stars and Stripes side by
side, this significant emblem Of unity
arousing great patriotic cheering. They
were greeted with the playing of the
American national anthem, "The Star
Spangled Banner" by the Z. A. VI. c.
Depot band. stationed Immediately In
front Of the Town Hall. The troops,
who were fne-built lot Of young men,
were promptly lined up. and the Mayor
and Mayoress. accompanied by Sir John
Russell, Bart, the Town Clerk and
Mrs. Harbottle ard Mrs. J. Parkinson,
mother of the Mayor. went to the edge
Of the footpath, and the Mayor entered
into conversation with Captain Tootle,
the officer commanding the United
States contingent.
The Mayor proceeded to give a civic
welcome to the troops
Three L. s. Cheers Given
Captain Tootle called upon his men
to show what they felt in their hearts.
the gladness that came over them on
that occasion. lie desired them 70
let the good people assembled know
how happy they were 10 be present to
stand shoulder 90 shoulder in that
great human cause. Give them three
hearty American cheers. and remember
your colleagues" was the concluding
appeal.
The men responded with three rous-
ing cheers. which far exceeded all pre-
vious similar responses.
The American troops were given the
order to march, and the way they
formed fours, or rather swung into
fours from the line, after the style Of
unmounted cavalry, quite took the eye
Of the public. To the music of their
own band the troops stepped out smart
~ TO their billets in Albert Road, the
officers being entertained by the Mayor
in his parlor, where they fraternized
with members of the Council and the
principal citizens assembled.
Il is safe TO say that the men of the
Stars and Stripes have caused more IN
terest, excitement and sensation in
Blackpool than any other troops that
have been billeted in the town since the
war began. They are. of course, the
first contingent Of what is expected 10
be a very large army in the course of
few months. After the civic well
cone and the settling down in their
! billets the men were seen about the
town last night. acting agreeably and
making friends with residents and Wis
itcrs.
They are young men, from eighteen
years upward, and nearly all clean
shaver. They have a paler appearance
than cur men, but this might be due
70 the voyage as we'll as the lack of
training. and the Blackpool air and sun
will soon impart n ruddier hue to their
cheeks. The troops are above the
average height, and are straight and
clean limbed. IT. dress they somewhat
resemble cur colonial troops, especial
~ in headgear, for their hats-Amer-
lean service hats-are of the sombrero
type, with the slack crown. Their Khaki
is 8 shade darker in color than that Of
ouT men, and their overcoats arc thick,
uncommonly long, and worn loose-ft-
ting. They wear tight trousers, COM
bined with a sort OF CATERS, the latter
having leather inside and being Khaki
on the outside of the legs. The men
arc from Ohio. and are college men, a
good proportion being medical stu
dents.
The American troops only landed on
these shores yesterday, so no time was
lost BY the portion that came 10 Black
pool. They are all anxious to get 10
the scene of active operations in
France. They are the advance party
only, and are typically American in APP
pearance and in ways and habits. Nine
" per cent Of them are university stu
dents. one-tenth Of them are lawyers,
and there are some nursing sisters.
clad in neat looking blue and khaki
, dresses. These nurses have not come
70 Blackpool, however, for when they
/ disembarked yesterday they proceeded
70 London.
The unit is said to be typical Of the
American army which is 10 arrive later
in this country, and their standard OF
physical efficiency gives every salts
faction. They have only been in train
4 ing short time, but they are well
disciplined unit.
+ The chief officers who have accom-
panied this pioneer unit are Major
George W. Grille, director; Major c. +.
Hoover and Major W. T. Lower. assist
ant directors; Major Harry L. Gil
christ. Medical Corps, L. 5. A., COM
handing hispital; Captain A. d. Tootle.
adjutant. and Captain Titus r. Stur-
geon, quartermaster. The medical staff
bears fine record for efficiency and
the unit is completely organized in
every particular
The Mayor invited the officers 20 dine
with him tonight. along with other Of
/ ficers in the town and with some
+ Of the leading citizens. and some time
[ next week the men are to be enter
tanned al a public reception, when
/ suitable mementoes Of the visit and
/ stay in Blackpool will be pinned on
/ the breast Of each man by the May
Dress This emblem will be combined
neat design of the Union Jack and
Stars and Stripes. The Tower and
Winter Gardens arc open free 10 the
American troops. and they evidently
took full advantage of the privilege