Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-10-27
American Boys on Transports
 Arrive by Day
Populations of French Na- val Towns Turn Out to
 Welcome the Fleet.

American Naval Base, France, Oct. l9-The latest convoy of American trahsports arrived at noon today, and 1t was an inspiring scene to see this stately procession under the bright midday sun, with a stiff breeze whipping the flags, the decks crowd ell with American soldiers and the IEiers and castle walls black with cheering people, as the fleet moved nhjestioally past .the outer capes to the sheltered inside harbor. Often the entrance is under cover of dark ness to cheat the submarines which have appeared off the harbor mouth of late. But the entrance today was ir broad daylight so that the whole city had chance to turn out and see the sight.
 It was just 11:40 when the first destroyer was seen on the silvery water out between the capes. At that distance, three miles, it looked only speck as it turned the capes, leaving a thread of smoke behind This was the scout ship far ahead, pi!,ting the way and on the lookout for any danger along the path. It camc straight into the harbor, it's wclrk done, while the main fleet, keeping compactly together, began to file between the capes. Ahead was large destroyer with four stacks. and behind it on either side two other acur4sdackers. This was the for ward protecting barrage of destroy CTS in great arc.
 New a huge prov pushed out be- yond the white cliff of the cape, and grew gradually to towering decks. tunnels, belching smoke, and then the mammoth hull of 10000 ton transport, formerly German trans atlantic liner. Soon another ap- Eeared-another former German lin- CT. and then still another German liner.
 Off to the right of the big ships was line of destroyers, the star board barrage, and to the left an- other line, the port barrage, and els forming the rear barrage. Thus enveloped. the big ships passed into the anchorage, the destroyers drew off to their buOys, and soon lighters were along side bearing ashore this American troops.
 IL IS d SCcuc OIC IcpcoICu uOW 1o day after day and night after night. but often as it is. it is alwayssa stirr- ing, sight, and one which makes the blood jingle, as these thousands of fighting men pour out of the west.
 The American naval base presented a wonderful panorama this bright day spread out across the water and along the shore. Besides the fleet which had just arrived there was the throb of hugs naval activity ashore and afloat. over twenty miles of shorelin&s enveloping this hugs blue basin. In front lay score of the big transports which had come during the last week, most of them like those just in, German liners.
 "The irony of fater," remarked the observer as he pointed out the many German ships freighted with Ameri- can troops.
 A hospital ship now passed to the left On the decks lay long lines of stl etchers. each bearing a wounded soldier. bathing in the sunlight and salt air. "They are going home" said the navy doctor. They are cases in which the wounds incapaci- taie them from returning to mili- txrv service-legs off. arms off. or other permanent disability. But they are we'll enough along to recovery to permit travelling, and so they are going home for their wooden legs ana arms. and after that. we'll"
 At o'clock tonight. five hours after the fleet of transports had reached the anchorage. the huge de- barkment had been accomplished. and tho last man was ashore and m 'camp.