New-York tribune., 1918-12-05
Returning u. S.
Troops Greeted
Here by Baker
Secretary of War Boards
Liner Lapla11d to Shake
Hands With the Soldiers
Glad and Proud, He Says
More Than 5000 Men Are
Brought Into Port as Will
sons Ship Leaves Pier

The White Star Liner Lapland,
which arrived yesterday with nearly
1000 American soldiers just ahead Of
the Atlantic Transport Liner, Mime
kahda, which brought more than s.
900, made dramatic entry into the
port. The soldiers were welcomed
home by Secretary Baker himself.
Fog veiled the harbor as the Lap
land emerged from the NarrowS and
her passengers barely could see even
the attendant hreboats. AS the Lap
land came abreast Of the Statue of
Liberty the Police Band, which had
come aboard at Quarantine, struck up
"Tbc Star Spangled Banner" About
1000 men sang.
AS the last note died away great
gray ship appeared, outward bound,
escorted by destroyers. The soldiers
chcered as ahey recognized the George
President to France. The I4apland's
decks were banked solidly with men
in olive drab as the two ships passed.
An aviator gave up the pursuit of the
George Washington to hover above
the incoming troop ship.
Baker Becomes Popular
Mr.. Baker became exceedingly popu-
lar when the men, upon arriving at
the pier, learned who he was. Before
his identity was made known, however.
the returning troops were more in
terested in the cantcen women of the
Red Cross, who provided sandwiches
and coffee.
The Secretary Of War, who had had
the right of way in Hoboken, found
different conditions when he came over
to the White Star pier TO meet the
lapland. Passes issued by his subord-
mates were recognized, but Mr. Baker,
without one, had some difficulty at first
in getting to the gangplank. Presently
! his coming was heralded and he went
aboard the Lapland amid cheers from
the soldiers on shipboard and on the
pier
'J'd like to go aboard the vessel and
meet the boys" said the Secretary to
Brigadier General McManus, of the
Embarkation Headquarters owe read
about how the boys came home, but |
have not boarded an incoming trans
port. | have been exceedingly anxious
to meet one and mingle with the men
and ! took advantage of this occasion
to greet these troops on the Lapland' .
We'll go aboard at once" said Gen
eral McManus, and AS the two walked
the gangplank, several lusty-lunged
soldiers shouted: "Oh, you Cleveland
All Well in Cleveland
"How's everything in Cleveland, Mr.
Baker" some one shouted.
The Secretary of War smiled and in
formed the inquisitors that all wa
we'll in Cleveland.
Instantly a cheer went up from tn,
men on the Lapland. ard when it sub
sided Mr.. Baker said:
"You all look fine, boys. I'm might,
glad to see you all so we'll. I'm ex
ceedingly proud of you, and know
the country is, too"
He inquired the way to the sick be,
where there lay twenty men with sc
we're wounds. He passed from cot t.
cot, shaking hands with the sufferers
The Secretary asked each man wher
.. be had fought and how he had com
by his wounds, and then informed then
that the nation could nevery repay tn
men who had spilled their blood an
suffered for the cause of his countr
and Of right.
The Lapland brought more than 25t
officers and 1,7o4 men, 200 of the Of
fcers being casuals Of no particula
command. Two hundred Of the men hat
!, been rescued from the Tuscania whe,
she was torpedoed, and all said the,
were glad to get off the seas at last.
Influence on Tapland
> AS the Lapland was about to lcav
Liverpool a mild form of infuenz
. broke out among the soldiers, and Az,
men seriously i'll Of the disease wer
taken ashore. When two days out o
port the diseases spread in a mild form
and twelve cases were in the shin
, hospital when the Lapland arrived.
Throughout the long trip across tn
Atlantic the American fighters were re
quested to wear gauze bandages aroun,
the mouth and nose.