New-York tribune., 1918-12-03
Thousands Crowd Round
Cunard Piers as Maure-
tania Docks With 4,O69
Glad American Airmen
% % Left Wives
On Other Side
Noisy Welcome in Broad
Daylig ght Contrasts With
Stealth of Departure
for Overseas Service

1t was a noisy, fearful and happy
Homecoming for 4,O69 American sol
diers who raced down the gangplank
of the Mauretania yesterday into the
outstretched arms of waiting city.
The return of this, the forerunner Of
the nations great army Of homeward
bound troops, was everything that the
departure from American shores was
not The great transport. that crept
cut of the harbor at night, clothed IN
darkness and protected under convoy
to meet the dangers of q possible sub
rarine attack, returned in broad day
light amid the blare of every noise
roducer that could be found along the
shores of the harbor.
Even the mental attitude of the men
lad been changed by the months that
had elapsed since their leave-taking.
Then tears had belonged only to the
women who remained behind. Yester-
dav. as the familiar sights of the city
were unfolded to the occupants of the
decks while the big liner was beng
drawn slowly up the river, tears
coursed down the cheeks of many men
Who had scorned any show of emotion
while preparing to face the enemy.
There was but one tragic touch to
the sjtuation. and that. fortunately,
stas unknown 20 most of the partic''
pants in the reception to the Maure-
1ania's cargo Of cheerful soldiers. At
almost the same time that the big liner
vas being warper in to her dock at
Fourteenth Street the troopship North
orn Pacific was clowly disgorging
on the Hoboken side Of the Hudson
! lO0swoundcd soldiers who had stopped
the German horde at Chateau Thierry
Owing to army regulations that have
oo,aned since the beginning of the
var. the arrival Of the wounded was
without public notice Within a few
DAYS relatives and friends Of the men
VINO offered their lives for their coun-
try viii be informed Of their arrival.
Meanwhile they viii be comfortably
housed in hospitals, and, thanks to the
Red Cross and other official agencies,
given every necessity and luxury they
could desire.
eth First to Parade
Mayor Hylan made public yesterday
81 telegram from Secretary of War
Baker. Which pointed out that it had
been planned to ALLOW returning com
bat divisions to parade only in the
particular part of the country from
which they were sent Under tins
ruling the 9th Division, commanded
bv Major General John F. Organ, vii
probably be the first to march through
the city.
Things began to happen to the troop:
on board the Mauretania early in the
morning. After spending the nigh
anchored in Gravesend Bay, within
sight of the lights of the city, the
craft moved over to Quarantine shortly
aflor I O'Clock and the formallties thai
,lrround the arrival of all who lane
.n New Yoyk-even soldiers were be
gun.
While DR.. E. F. Cofer, Health Officer
of the port, was on deck making d
superficial examination Of the men, a
tugboat approached from whose staff
foated the flag Of the Aero Club
of America. The soldiers waved every
American flag that could be found,
while the Aero Club delegation waved
everything wavable at hand.
After a general exchange of greet
mgs. Augustus Post, secretary of the
cdb, raised d megaphone and intro
oaccd ali Of the officers of the organi-
cation. beginning with President Alan
l. Hawiey. After this part OF the
ceremony had been completed soldier
Continued on page sic