Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-02


 steamship Mauretania, returning to the United States with the first large body of American overseas troops, anchored in Gravesend Bay at TAO o'clock tonight She was met by navy and army tugs. She will prob ably remain at her anchorage until early tomorrow morning. when she Is expected to dock at Hoboken. The navy tug, it was reported, had been ordered to meet the Maure- tania to bring ashore Admiral Henry T. Mayo, commander of the Atlantic fleet, who was returning from Eng land as a passenger. The army tug, it was said had orders to bring an army officer of high rank.
 Aboard the Mauretania, as announce ed recently by General March, chief of staff, are several thousand members of the air service who are stationed in England. The ship also carries a number of casuals.
 When the transport docks at Ho boken. relatives and friends of those aboard will not be allowed on the pter according to recent announce nient by Brigadier- General, G. Fl. McManus authorization officer at this port. who added that to safeguard public health the soldiers would be taken directly to demobilization camps for physical examination. Barracks at Camp Mills have been prepared for their reception. t. Late today, however Mayor John F. Hylan telegraphed Secretary Baker. asking that troops aboard the Mauretanla be permitted to parade up Fifth Avenue tomorrow. Permis- sion also was asked to give a dinner tomorrow night in honor of return ing officers Tn his telegram, the mayor pointed out that the people of the city of Now York are most anxious to vel come the troops and that the mayors committee of welcome and city. officials have been waiting all day to meet the Mauretania at Am prose Channel"
 Battery Park was crowded all day with persons eager to catch a glimpse of the vessel bringing back to these shores the vanguard of the great army which America sent overseas. Despite reports that the transport would not reach port until early to- night. the crowds stuck to their posts until darkness
 It was announced tonight that when the Mauretanias and other home coming traBsperts- reach their locks. they will benfet uy corps Of Knights of Columbus secretaries. who will dis- tribute among the troops thousands of I'm safe and sound' cards, which the men can address to their relatives and friends. Later the secretaries will collect and mail the cards, which are already stamped.
 The mayors committee of welcome made a trip down the bay tonight or the flagship of the police. department fleet and circled the Mauretania Members of the party were not at frs allowed aboard the transport and sC they used megaphones and wireless apparatus to convey the greetings O New York 10 the returned soldiers, bu later a gangpiank was showed out anC the civilians scrambled aboard.
 AS the police boats searchligh played on the Mauretanias decks, mel and officers could be seen, crowding t, the rail, as they shouted greetings il return. Back across the water, il reply to the welcome soon came sucl queries as When do we eat?" ant Has the state gone dry yet?''
 When members of the party accept ed an invitation to come aboard they were deluged with requests t Phone mother and let her know Tn here" 10 Mail this letter to my girl and to perform similar services. Sev
  eral former New Pork policeme among the soldiers greeted the cit officials.
 According to those on the Mature tania, the ship had a rough crossing Four storms were encountered and a one time the sea ran so high that tn clerical force at work in the cabin ha 10 quit when. their typewriters wer hurled to the floor. The ship wa commanded by Captain A. H. Rostro of the British navy, who was in con mand of the Carpathia when that yes sel picked mp victims of the Titan disaster in 1912.
 There were rousing cheers wine Admiral Myo left the Mauretania an boarded the naval tug awaiting hir Among his fellow passengers on u trip. from England were Harry Laude the comedian, who sang for the so 6iers during the voyage home, ar Major Ian Hay of the British army