Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-09
CITY OPENS GATES
T0PERSH|NG'S MEN
Some of Veterans From Front
Already Here, Others Are
Coming for Reception.

More than thirty of Gen. Pershing's
veterans from cover there" are here.
Before the big reception and meeting
tomorrow, it is expected that the full
complement Of fifty will have arrived to
give the Capital city an opportunity to
honor them as did New York, and to fire
tho opening guns in, 1.-The big drive for
$10o, 100000, 70 be launched May 20 for
the Red Cross War Relief Fund Of 1913.
While New York feted and honored
the small group from the pioneer
American expeditionary forces who
were sent here to give impetus to the
liberty loan, Washington has also turn
ed over to them the key of the Dis
trict. Unable to restrain itself in an
ticipation of tomorrow's events. the city
has already begun to pet her own
American heroes. Receptions were
planned with such speed that the boys
have been in constant demand the past
two days.
Demonstration at Theater.
Last night twenty-five Of them-the
greater number OF them wearing their
worn unlforms-attendedt the National
Tkeater, where President Wilson par
ticipated in demonstration in their
honor. The President was as enthu-
siastic as the audience, which cheered
the men of the liberty army, and as
they passed from the stage to the audi
toriun he hurried from his box and
shook their hands. Mrs. Wilson and
Admiral and Mrs. Cary T. Grayson oc-
cupied the box with the President. Sec
the audience.
The soldiers were headed by Sergt.
John H. Heffernan. At the close OF one
of TIE acts the men marched to the
talk. declared that the object Of tho
visit to the theater was to see the
President.
Most Of the boys" he said, "have
never been in Washington; neither have
they seen the President. We heard he'd
here.
II want to tell you what our boys
on the other side think of President
Wilson. We tell the English that If
Germans. he will continue to send as
many more and then some until every
man and dollar is gone"
This statement brought such a re-
sponse Of cheers from the audience.
which arose to its feet. that the men
on the stage thought they were back in
Flanders.
Reception to Be Informal.
Yesterday Senator Chamberlain. chair
man of the military affairs committee,
with others arranged with the War De-
partment for a reception this afternoon
at 3 o'clock at room 226, Senate Office
building. All of the members who can
possibly arrange 1t will be on hand to
pay honor to the men. The reception
will be informal but it is possible that
some speechmaking will develop.
The action of Congress in inviting the
men to the Capitol is 9 new departure.
It is considered an unusual tribute.
A busy day has been arranged for the
men tomorrow. At 1880 o'clock they
will leave Fort Myer, where they are
quartered. in automobiles furnished by
the women's automobile and ambulance
corps Of the District Red Cross.
Drivers Of the automobiles will be wom-
en- who have loaned their machines for
war work. for duty at headquarters and
in Transporting men to hospitals
On their, arrival here they will be driven
through the principal streets and
parks. after which they will return to
the drive, plans having been made for
no stop. This will remind the men Of
"over there" where food was eaten on
the wing.
Review at District Building.
Arrangements have been made to
have the District building as the re-
viewing point for the District Commits
sioners. No tentative plans had been
made regarding the time Of passing the
building. but the Commissioners will be
notified in time to take their places on
the front steps Of the building before
the contingent passes.
The big event of the visit Of the
"fifty" will be tomorrow night. It will
be virtually soldiers night" and the
advance rally of the Red Cross drive,
Plans have been made to handle a large
throng at the Liberty Hut, where every
one Is invited. with no tickets offering
choice seats. 1t will be first come. first
served.
The committee gives assurances that
long winded speeches by civilians Will
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