The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-25
CHAUMONT SCENE OF PERSH|NG'S WORK FOR AMERICAN ARMY
American Headquarters Oc- cupy Beautiful Site Along a Picturesque Old
 Plateau

General Headquarters American Ex- peditionary Force Chaumont Haute Marne. France, November 2o.--The date line reveals one of the interest ing secrets of the Army in France, the location of the home of the comman- sder-in-chief and the general staff. Until a few days ago when the cen sorship rules were modified to meet the new conditions created by the armistice. Chaumont has never been permitted to be mentioned in connec- ton with the American forces
 The exact whereabouts of the gen. cral headquarters of any force. allied or enemy. is never revealed during hostilties The military reasons for this secrecy are obvious and in this war the airplane made it ever more necessary, for Chaumont lies but a little flight from what were long Ger man lines.
 It is an old and picturesque city, quiet and conservative beyond even French provincialism. It has water and gas and electric light but no street railways and few places of amusement, even in normal times 1t lies in the center of an agricultural and grazing district, is quite a seat ofseducation and historically very in- teresting, as indeed is every city of, its age in France.
 There are really two chaumonts. the ancient town. with It's narrow. tortuous streets its typical buildings with curious towers s,nd buttresses and arches giving glimpses through half-opened gates or iron grills of quaint gardens and quainter courts Many of the streets are too narrow to permit the passage of wheeled ve- hicles and the big staff motor cars find difficulty in navigating the best of the old town streets.
 Extending outward on the high plateau upon which the city is To- cated is a newer and more, modern Chaumont, region of fine homes with extensive grounds and comfort able residences of the well-to-do and middle classes. Here the wide boule- wards are tree-lined and parked.
 It is in this eastern part of the plateau that general headquarters are located occupying the French military post turned over to the Americans by the French. It's three great concrete barracks and numerous lesser buildings were renovated by the American staff, electric lights jn- stalled. paint and whitewash called into play and now in rooms where VHSV titc. Pcilds lHC B vat headquarters staff works. Every of- flee is connected by telephone. the central station being operated by American girls.
 The three large barrack buildings form three sides of great parade ground In the center building on the second floor are the offices of Gen eral Pershing and no soldiers work place could be more severe. His own office and it's reception room are pre- ciseiy like every other office in the three buildings. The walls are white- washed and practically barren of or nament except for some Liberty Lean posters plain flat topped oak desk stands between the two win dows and round about few plain yellow chairs. A stove and table against the wall complete the fur nishings.
 Headquarters are situated on a wide, tree-lined boulevard in the cen ter of which between two more rows of fine old shade trees, is a spacious waikway. Until last Fourth of July this was known as the Avenue de Fort Lambert. but on Independence Day 1t wAs rechristened Avenue des Etats unis. General Pershing being the guest of honor and making speech in acknowledgment of the courtesy done his country.
 tI,c ocshnHlHs oi the avenue ocH Etats unis. which starts from a beau tiful little park. is a handsome resi- dence. in which the commander-in- chief made his home until last spring He then removed to a large and at tractive chateau about five miiep from the city. The fine old castle lies in the beautiful valley of the Marna it's spacious grounds, parks and walks making an ideal home where he can have the seclusirn his responsihiIifi.. require. Vel hvt a few minutes by motor tc his office at headauarters
 A little Philadelphia girl, whose mother R l9 years old. has F grandparents. great -gra randparents and ereateraat