New-York tribune., 1918-01-20
Serbian Mission Welcomed
By Thousands at City Hall
War ENJOYS Received by Mayor Where Jofre, Balfour
and Viviani Stood-State Guard Marines and
Slavonc Societies Take Part in Pageant

The ENJOYS Of that small Balkan
state where the spark of the present
world conflict was generated were the
guests of New York yesterday. Who're
Joffre, Balfour and Vivani and their
associates on the European war mis-
slons stood beneath the Stars and
Stripes in the Aldermanic Chamber at
the City Hall, the members of the
royal Serbian mission were received
yesterday By Mayor Hylan, the other
ofhclal members of the city government
and large delegation of prominent
citizens.
The setting for the official reception
or the Serbian mission was similar to
that prepared for the ENJOYS of our
larger Allies last spring, though not
lending itself to the picturesque out
door decorations, on account of the un-
seasonablc weather. The military and
naval guard os honor, composed of
three battalions from the new State
1uard and detachment of marines
from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, were
drawn up in the City Hall plaza. The
accompanying bands played the Ser
blan national anthem, and the soldiers
and sailors stood at present arms dur
ing the arrival of the distinguished
guests and their entrance 10 the City
hali. Siavonic school children sang the
Serbian anthem and showered flowers
upon. the members of the mission as
they tiled up the steps between long
lines Of "New York's Finest"
Weather No Deterrent
The biting cold could not deter large
crowds collecting beyond the police
lines in City Hall Park to witness the
pageant. Delegations from Slavonic
societies, carrying brilliantly colored
standards, stood in the plaza alongside
the new soldiers. It was the first time
the new State Guard had appeared in
public, and, though comparatively raw
recruits, they made showing to COM
pare favorably with the old National
Guard, whose places they stepped into
when the former were called to the
colors. Colonel j. Hollis Wells. of the
list Infantry, N. Y. G., was in com
mand of the military, which consisted
of 200 men each from the list, the 9TH
and the 9th Coast Artillery. Adjutant
General Charles H. Sheriff., com
mander of the new guard, with his
staff, and Brigadier General George r.
Dyer, commando rof the 1st Brigade.
and staff were present at the ceremony.
The mission reached the city at 8
a: nj. from Boston and were met at the
Grand Central Station by Charles B.
Alexander, chairman, and other mem
bers Of the Mayors reception com
lnttee, and escorted to the Knicker-
booker Hotel, where the State Depart
ment had reserved suite of rooms for
the guests. Albert B. Ruddock, of the
State Department, and Captain Hamil-
ton Fish Armstrong, of the United
states Army, accompanied the mission.
After a~luncheon at Sherrys, as the
guests of Rodman Wanamaker. the
members of the mission proceeded to
the City Hall under large escort of
mounted police. They arrived at the
Hall at 3 o'clock
General Rachitch Acclaimed
The sharp "Zivio," or Long liveo
cheer Of the Southern Slavs erected
the members of the mission as thev
stepped from their automobiles. Cen
eral Michailo Rachitch, the venerable
white haired Serbian commander at