The Press., 1918-03-07

The Americans tried to converse wltn him. but found that his vocabulary contained only the one maggie name After days and days of this sort of thing the caravan finally arrived at Milan, within striking distance of tie front.
 The severe journey had knocked out four of the cars. Tired out, they re- sisted all the skill of the mechanicians, and it was not until garage specialists spent night in work over them that they were whipped into shape.
 In the meantime news of the ar rival of the first American contingent had spread over Milan like wiIdfre, and a triumphal reception was pre- pared for the entrance of the men. Reaching Italy, the men believed that they were to devote their efforts 10 the relief of the civilian population, but the Italian government demurred.
 "We want those men right on our firing lines to carry the wounded" they said I've could use another hundred"
 1t was arranged that the dedication of this American unit should take place in the historic old city of Milan in the spacious interior court of melIowed old Italian palace, the facade of which had turned green with time and from whose balconies trailed ban ners of the entire Allied World. The cars had been parked in the shape of a horseshoe, two ambulance men in front of each car. Thus were the units reviewed by the commanders of the Italian, French and English troops.
 Tn offering the services of the con tingent to Italy, Major - said: FIX cellency, on behalf of the American Red Cross, which represents the whole people of the Unitd States of Ameri- ca, and with the deepest feelings ot affection, have the honor to present to you, the representative of the he. roic Italian soldiers, the first three sections of the American Red Cross Ambulance corps in Italy.
 "Lons Live ItaIy!"
 ''The Americans who are to operate these cars have volunteered their serv- ices. It will always be their pleasure and distinction to remember that in farthering the effort which America will make in helping Italy to combat the common enemy they were the first American unit to reach the front.
 From the bottom of my heart cry with them:
 Long live Italy! Long live the Ital- ian army!''
 The italian general made brief but solemn response in voice full of emO- ton. IL was profoundly impressive.
 All realized that these hundred young volunteers stood there not in their own strength alone, they stood as the visible opponents of all the invisible forces of a mighty nation, for the iIlimitabIe strength of America, for her ideals, for her vast resources in money ard men, What he said about American Red Cross aid made some thing lodge tremulously in many rhroats.
 The dedication ended, the sections the principal Milan streets and received the ovation of the crowds. American flags streamed from every window; flowers were flung; shouts of "Viva America !' filled the air. Shops were closed, and all Milan as for some great victory.
 After the parade the three sections drew up in the big open square in front of the cathedral. There. stand ing above them on the steps, the syn. dice, in the name of Italy, bade them an earnest godspeed and farewell. The crowd listened, thinking that the sacrificial front to which these strange American youths were hurrying were, after all, very near to Milan. And America hitherto had been so very far and her position little understood. Now all that was done away with. These men were the promise of Amerf- ca made flesh.
 The syndice finished his speech. The crowds melted away. The American Red Cross Ambulance men drove out of the city gates taking the road which led toward Austria.