Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-06-02
Americas First Draft Men
Make Great Hit in London

in the capital Of the land that has
stood great part Of the burden OF
defending liberty against the or
ganized barbarians. They probably
will write homo telling all about the
architecture Of London, but l doubt
II half of them looked beyond the
shoulders of the man in front, or
above his heels, for that matter.
! Judged from a study OF their faces
| that they were bit added In their
! thoughts, A grim determination to
| see the thing through in the best
| bang-up Yank fashion was in con-
tlct with memories OF homo, so fire.
quently suggested by the grand OLD
American tunes played by bands at
the head of each battalion.
IF mother could only see me
now" was a thought that. must have
derallcd them every now and then.
The procession left Wellington
barracks at 1l:45 o'clock. headed by
mounted London policemen and the
regiments own band The second
battalion had tho Scots guard band
with the drums and pipes Of that
regiment. The band OF the irish
guards with the drums of the grena-
iier guards led the third battalion,
They moved up historic BIrdcage
walk, arond st. James park and
under the Horse guards arch where
the famous guai ds in all their tradi-
tional glory of white leather
breeches, glittering breastplates and
mountainous furry hats stood al
rock like attention. Then up White
hall past government buildings,
through the Admiralty arch on TO
tho stately Mall approaching Buck
ingham palace. American officers
and officials Of the embassy and
general consulate had quarters on
Carleton House terrace along the
Mall as guests OF General Sir r.
Lloyd.
Half way up the Mall the iYanks
marched around st. James palace
up to Picca dilly, then down to Hyde
park corner, down Grosvenor place
oast tho wildly excited American
embassy, where Ambassador Page
and Admiral Sims took the salute.
Then around to buckingham palace
road where there was halt for the
palace ceremonies. The line OF
march was practically the same as
that OF the engineers parade last au-
tumn.
"God Save the King"
Promptly at / o'clock, exact to
the schedule, King George fQueen
Mary and Queen Alexandra, with
royal suites and attended by Major
Gen. John Biddle, L. S. n. A, COM
manding base section, walked across
the palace yard TO tho great gates
.
at salute while the Grenadier guards
band played God Save the King"
which many Yank in those stand
ing columns around the corner un-
doubtedly accepted as MY Country
'Tis of Thee"
Again the tired tan-shod feet took
IN machine-like motion. this time
with increased zeal, for the great
triumph and ordeal of the day was
upon them. The Victoria memorial
facing the great palace, which is
very like large American library
building. was vibrating with heads
and flags. Dense crowds occupied
all available space In the palace
road, the Mall. st. James park, Con-
stitution hill and the Green park.
Then the Grenadier guards band,
with n great drum roll, roared out
the irresistible measures of 1.-The
Stars and Stripes Forever" march OF
Lieut.. John 7. Sousa, U. s. N. A.
That was moment to remember
Stepping briskly past the royal
party, each man with eyes sharply
to the left, the gallant draft regimen,
had a baptism Of glory that rein
vigorated every aching leg, lightened
those packs, made faces glow with
a righteous pride, and chiselled a
picture in memories that will be
| told decades hence to eager-eyed
grandchildren, whose gentle civlliza-
tion these draftees will have helped
TO make secure.
Peak Is Reached.
The peak of the great day had
been reached A little less rjgidly
they marched down the Mali, with
great crowd marching with them,
around st. James park, back up
Birdcage walk TO the yard of Well
ington barracks. where they formed
in lines marked by flags while the
band OF the Irish guards, at the head
OF the last battalion, played John
Browns Body Lies A-Moulding in
the Grave"-and people went and
shouted for 10y. Then a bounteous
lunch.
Here are true notes I made of the
calls of one grand old lady--one OF
thousands--made to the BOYS as they
turned into the barracks gate:
Thank you, Americal God bless
you. boys! May you return safely
to your homes. I've me own bows
over there and you're going to help
en- God bless you, A mothers
kiss for you. Thank you, sir ito
each officer). Give the Germans
beans, boys! Oh, thanks for that
smile! Thank you, dear Old Glory,
Keep It flying high. boys!"
When the lines reformed at $40
for the march back TO the station
buglers had to be sent all over, tho
neighborhood to call In Yanks en-
ticed away to, Westminster Abbey
and other famous buildings nearby
by kindly Britons over-zealous ito
show their friendship. And vast
crowds were still downtown to give
them a parting cheer to which the
with shouts and songs. And tonight
as american day draws to a close.
old war-suffering London is actually
smiling gayly, with the knowledge
her own boys who have stuck IT"
of the fresh help that is coming for
for so long.
AID OF FOREIGN TRADE