The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-09

Of the American Expeditionary Force
being held in Europe as an army ~
occupation and for general police duty.
To Keep on War Footing.
It has been made plain also that I'M
til the extent OF the turmoil in central
Europe ind Russia is understood or
u't:l anarchy and Bolshevism are put
down the Allies are taking no chances
and are keeping on a war footing.
There will be pretty constant flow
into this port. as we'll as to other At
lantic por-s in the coming weeks. so
far the arrangements perfected by
Brig. Gen. George II. McManus and
his stan have worked out perfectly,
the returning troops being transpor:e,l
10 Long Island City and then entraine1
to Camp Mills without delay or fric-
ton. There has been ground for dis
appointment to civilians and to SOL
diers because Of this course adopted bN
the army. but the course is based upon
the sourdest and strongest Of meii-
cal and sanitary reasons.
The civilians have expressed disap-
pointment because the returning
troops have not been exhibited in rhe
streets; have not been allowed to pa
rade with flags and bands and trophies
OF victory. The soldiers have grumbied
because their idea of welcome homo
does not consist in a salute by whistles
and then a hurry up jump to an army
camp. They have wanted to go to the
theatre-free. They have expected
bales OF free smokes and banquets and
apple pie and pretty girls to lead them
around and a lot OF other things. none
OF which they came within a mile OF
getting. Therefore they are kicking
like steers because the spectacle OF a
Mayor in a plug hat welcoming them
from a police boat is simply Joke 10
the Homecoming troops. They see no
sentiment in 1t. They consider II
simply ridiculous. What they want is
something material, entertainment
food, beer. tobacco, dancing and devil
mental gratis.
New York Not n Playground.
The War Department has baked all
this by ruling that the returning sol
diers must be sent straight TO camp SO
that their clothing can be disinfectcd
and the men can be kept under med
ical supervision for n period Other
wise, the army officers state. there
would be grave danger of epidemics In
this country; OF a spread OF typhus or
Of trench fever. Moreover. the War
Department frowns on the notion that
returning soldiers be allowed to play
around in New York. The policy
adopted Is that returning men, after
being mustered out. must be sent at
once to their own districts, whether
those districts be southern Alabama
or northern Michigan. The War De-
partment wants to keep the troops
out of New York for excellent rea
sons. Some OF them have not been
any too well behaved under the infiu-
ence OF fire water, and the army au-
thorities have decided that the best
way TO dodge trouble Is to keep II at
arms length. II this policy is car
ried out. and there is every indication
that II will be, New York will have &c
wait until Major Gen. John +. Organ
brings back the Twenty-seventh Di-
vision-New Workers. all. Then pa
rade will be permitted and high old
time Endorsed. But the Government
insists that each district must parade
its own troops only, and not waste
time organizing n parade for some
other city's or States homecomers.