Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-12
AMERICANS THRILL
LONDON MASSES
National Army Men Swing
Through Streets and Before
King and Queen.
U. s. EFFORTS LAuDED

LONDON, May 11.-Three thousand
American soldiers marched through
London today. They were men of the
new National Army, of which London
ers had often heard, but whom they
had never before been privileged to
see in marching order.
The Americans, who were virtually all
from New York city. marched in
column Of tours from Wellington Bar
racks over a three-mile route. circling
that part Of London in which are
located the government offices, the en-
bassies and the principal public build
ings.
With American preciseness the parade
was laid out for it by the British and
American military authorities. The
first men filed out Of the parade ground
at Wellington barracks into the
famous Birdcage walk at exactly AS,
passed the war office at 1915. the
United States embassy at 12:45 and
reached Buckingham Palace at EOS.
On the war office balcony were Premier
Lloyd George and the war cabinet. which
had suspended it's sitting in order to
view the paraders. The highest compli-
ment Mr.. Lloyd George could pay them
was to say admiringly, They have the
same swing as our Welsh troops"
In front Of Buckingham Palace the
densest crowd Of all was assembled
around the white marble memorial to
Queen Victoria. Just before the head Of
the line swung around the corner King
George and Queen Mary. the Dowager
Queen Alexandra and the Duke of Con-
naught appeared at the main entrance
Of the palace and walked out across the
courtyard to the street in front of the
middle gate, where they shook hands
with Gen. Biddle. The King stood in the
center of the sidewalk and took the sa-
lutte from the guard OF honor. which,
with the famous Grenadiers5 Band, was
drawn up in the street.
AS the American officers on horse
back came abreast Of the kings posi-
ton, the guards band struck up live
ly American march and continued to
play until the last American soldier
filed past.
Chat With Gen. Biddle.
The king carefully scrutinized the
troops and occasionally passed a word
Of comment to Gen. Biddle. At the end
of the parade the king called the queen
and both congratulated Gen. Biddle,
who chatted with the royal party for
several minutes.
ton barracks for luncheon as the guests
of the British guards regiment. They
returned to camp by an early afternoon
train.
A touch was given to the parade
along the line of march by several
banners and flags. On the front steps
Of the ministry Of munitions, girls held
up banner with red and blue letters
on white, reading: Gee, this is bully.
Say, where do we go from here?'
At American Embassy.
Ambassador Page reviewed the troops
from point just in front of the embassy
steps. To his right and left and slightly
behind him were Vice Admiral Sims and
Col. Slocum and detachment OF United
States troops as an embassy guard
The embassy staff viewed the parade
from the windows of the building. where
also were stationed many Americans. men
and women, identified with the war work.
Among them were Miss Mabel Boardman
Of the American Red Cross and Bishon
Brent, both just back from France, and
Mrs. Whitelaw Reid. widow of the late
ambassador.
Near the end of the line of march the
band OF the Scotch Guards played 1.-The
Battle Hymn of the Republic" while
passing the embassy. The cheers from
thousand were not all for the Ameri-
cans. Small detachments of British
troops which accompanied the Amerl-
cans as an escort received their fun
share.