The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-02
1900 AIRMEN
RETURN HERE
FROM ENGLAND
Mauretania Arrives, but
Anchors in Bay, Disap-
pointing ThrOngs.
NO PARADE Is PROBABLE
Mayor Asks for Permission to
Give Public Reception to
Home Coming Troops.
NO PARADE Is PROBABLE


Home Coming Troops.
Bucking a northwest gale, the Brit
ish transport Mauretania, which is
bringing nearly 1000 American air
service troops from training camps in
England and many civilian passengers
as we'll passed in at Sandy Hook last
night and dropped anchor in Gravesend
Bay.
The last word from Rear Admiral
Usher. commanding the Third Naval
District, and from the Cunard Line
officials was that the Lusitania's sister
will come up the bay early this morn
ing to dock at West Fourteenth street
at about 10 A. VI.
Col II. c. Pratt explained last night
that the soldiers would not be landed in
New York to-day, but that the Maure-
tania would go to her North River
pier and that a Pennsylvania ferry
boat would then take the men to Long
Island City, whence they would go by
rail to Camp Mills. No additional
plans had been made up to late hour
last night.
The army, the navy and the city Of
New York all presented their COM
pliments to the troopship and its pas
sengers. The army tug went down
under orders to bring of an officer Of
high rank and the navy tug went for
Admiral Henry T. Mayo. commander
of the Atlantic feet, who was a re-
turning passenger on the Mauretania.
The Patrol, bearing the city's repre-
sentatives. rode the waves to the side
Of the big liner to give the first well
come TO the boys who had been at
tending to martial business on the
other side.
Whistles Greeting.
The Patrol made the run to Graves
end Bay with quite a party OF notables.
and is going again this morning to re-
peat the welcome. with siren, mega
phone and wireless the Mayors barge
of state drew the attention OF the
soldiers TO the fact that an official
visit was impending. The soldiers and
their officers responded to the greeting
with glee and enthusiasm. As the
searchlights from the Patrol played
on the steamers decks those on board
shouted their greetings and voiced
their appreciation OF the fact that the
home port was in sight.
Acting Police Commissioner John A.
Leach. Special Deputy Commissioner
Rodman wanamaker and Grover A.
Whaien, secretary to the Mayor, stood
on the forward deck OF the flagship of
the Police Department and conveyed
the Mayors first greeting TO the re-
turning soldiers by megaphone. The
wireless had been sputtering the greet
ings OF the police boat long before the
lights OF the Mauretania could be seen,
and when they were discerned there
came an order for more speed until the
vessels side was reached.
New York is proud OF every man of
you and welcomes you with its warm
est welcome" came the megaphoned
message that first reached the boat
and to It was appended the name OF
the Mayor.
Soldiers in Merry Mood.
welcome home," called Mr.. wana-
maker.
New Yorkers welcome you. You
are the finest soldiers on EARTH" ssA-
Mr.. Leach through his willing trum-
pet.
The Mayors committee welcomes
you" shouted Mr.. Whalen.
Then from the long deck an irrev-
erent soldier boy gargled this senti-
ment through a megaphone:
when do We eat?"
And then. as Mr.. Leach whispered
again through the funnel how anxious
the town was to put its arm around
the voyagers, n chorus OF irrepres-
sibes called back:
How dry we are
Admiral Mayo walked down the
gangplank to go on board the navy
tug. where Lieutenant Commander
Frost and Capt. Sterling were wait
ing to receive him, and everybody let
loose a cheer for the departing Ad-
miral. The cheer had hardly died
when some person. evidently not of
prohibition stature, called:
Has the State gone dry yet?"
Find old Friends on Deck.
And the reception party echoed the
laugh that came from the Maure-
tania's decks. A gangplank was
showed over to an open port, bridging
the distance between the Patrol and
the liner. over the plank went the re-
ception committee. Acting President
Moran OF the Aldermen was among
the first.
Hello, Bob Moran" called Private
John NJ. Singer, "A bombing squad In
structor who qualified for the big fight
by an apprenticeship in the mounted
police. He also had a word and n
hand for Inspector Daily. who use to
be his boss during his police service.
Harry Lauder. who was a passenger
and the chief entertainer OF the re-
turning fighters, sent word that he
had gone to bed but that he wanted
10 he remembered. But there was n
quartet from the 315th Aero Squadron
that hadn't gone to bed and II aroused
the region with a swelling rendition
of How Dry ] Am"
Lieut.. Peter V o. Barkelew wanted
reporter TO call his motner at 1881