Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-05-30
ALLLONDON CHEERED
AMERICAN TROOPS
Population Turned Into Streets
to See Our Soldiers March
Through to War.
London Times. May IS.

London Times May I3.
A regiment of the United States New
Army consisting of 300 men, under the
command of Colonel Whitman and
Northumberland Wagner, marched
through London on Saturday and was
reviewed by the King The march proved
also a march into the affections of Lon
don
All along the way people gathered
thckly There were dense crowds m
the neighborhood of Charing-Cross, IN
the Mall, around the Victoria Memorial,
and in Grosvenor-gardens. Rarely has
the Stars and Stripes been SO conspicuous
in London: the flag flew from public and
private buildings 1t was waved here
and there by spectators
STARS AND STRIPES EVERYWHERE.
II was worn in many buttonholes.
London Americans set the fashion of
bringing flags small enough to carry and
big enough to add emphasis to personal
demonstration.
The people cheercd the American
troops, they cheered the Guards, they
had a special shout for wounded sailors
and soldiers; and by no means did they
forget to cheer the King. Occasionally
however, there were silcnces which seemed
40 speak of an understanding of the mission
of this array of martial youth; of the
sacrifice that mingled with the glory of
devotion; perhaps also of the history
that Britain and America have begun to
make in union.
FINE BEARING OF THE TROOPS.
The build and bearing of the troops
reused constant admiration. One spec
tator would say, "They look tough lot -
another, They are n fine lot: a third,
"They are an even lot; while fourth
could only express his praise IN shout Of
Good bovsi' or Go it, boys! It Is
worth noting that when the colors passed
N ny men received them with barred
leads, and that "Off with your hats
was heard inow and then in admonIt on
from q civilian.
MODEST, SERIOUS YOUNG.
Three things were striking in these
Americans; their youth, their seriousness,
and their modesty The first quality
think Of her as young Those Of her sons
whom London sCrutinized - kcenly
came under arms cnlv last SUNNI r
They are differed chiefly by men who
then passed through the officers training
corps, though the commanding officer
and the Northumberland belong to the
old Regular ARMY. They might, there
fore. be expected to deserve the name of
boys, by which they were affecGonately
called. But it was their presentation
of the idea of youth, which struck the
spectator Nor was it modified by the
suggestion of dead-earnestness which
accompanied it and might seem 10 clash
with it.
The qualities in combination distinguish
ed the American battaiions from any
young English regiment which strikes
the observer as fat once older and more
light-hearted. Not that there was really
any lack of hilaritv about the Americans,
In their hours of ease The one who
sang a comic song in front of the barracks
before parade had joyful heart, and
was certainly cause OF iov 10 the Lon
doners who stood listening to him.
As for the mems modest demeanor. it
ought TO dispose of the notion that the
Americans cherish any intention ito
show Ills how things should be done
II that suggestion Is not long since dead.
GENERAL FITNESS CoNsI ICUoUs.
Physically. the regiment wss marked
bv well-set shoulders, bronzed faces, and
general fitness II looked sinewy, and
went along with fine swing A few
men were pointed out for their unusual
height.
The pride of Americans in the troops
and there were many Americans, naval,
military and civil among the onlookers-
was easy to see. Before the Embassy it
reached its highest manifestation. The
building was decorated with flags, like
most Of the houses in Grosvenor- gardens.
The American Ambassador Mr. Page
took the salute outside the Embassy
In his company we're Admiral Sims,
Commander Babcock, and Lieutenant
Colonel Slocum. Mrs. Page was an
interested spectator in the balcony above
Here the bands played Pack Your
Troubles" and John Browns Body"
A reminder of American history, and
of the foundations of the United States,
was introduced when several veterans
of the Civil War joined the procession.
They carried banner inscribed Not
for ourselves, but Country"