Arizona republican., 1919-08-01
PERSH|NG OFF ON FINAL TOUR
 II CAMPS IF
 VICTORY ARMY
Entertains Newspaper Men and Reviews Famous U. s. Troops Before Start To Sail for America Early in September.
rRepublican A. p. Leased Wirel

PARIS, July 31-Prior to his de- parture for Coblenz tonight, where to- morrow he is to begin his 'valedictory' tour of German occupied territory, first visiting the American troops and then the French and British zones. General John ], Pershing, this afternoon re- ceived the American newspaper corre- spondents in his Paris home.
 General Pershing talked on various subjects American dead buried in France. against the removal of which he said he would advise; the prepara- tions that are being made for the Amer ican troops to leave France and con corning the release of 4S,000 German prisoners held by the American army.
 Later General Pershing reviewed the famous American composite battalion which represented the army expedl- tionary forces in Paris in the Bastlie day parade and in London at the VIC tory day celebration. The review prob ably will be the last of the American ceremony in France. Large crowds viewed the revolutions and accorded the troops a hearty reception
 To Visit Entire Front
 General Pershing's trip tomorrow, which will be made by automobile, will carry him over the entire western bat tlefront from Belfort, near the Swiss border to Nieuport on the Belgian coast.
 In declaring that he did not favor the removal of the American dead buried in France, General Pershing said he was arranging for conference with American artists with a view to making plans for the beautification of permanent cemeteries and the erection of monuments to the American sol diers. He spoke with some emphasis saving he felt that as the men had fought and died in France they should lie in France. He said he believed the French felt the game as he did an6 that the presence of the American dead in their soil would always be a re- 1 hinder of how the two nations had fought together. He added that eacf i year there would be official representa- i tion at memorial day celebrations. General Pershing said the task of l assembling the American dead in na- l tional cemeteries was progressing rap- l idly and satisfactorily notwithstanding 1 the great difficulties encountered. The permanency of the American cemeter- i ies was absolutely assured, he asserted A general scheme for their beautifica- i ton, devised by an artists committee would be submitted to the war depart ment and probably special commit l tee would be created to take over the work of caring for the graves, main- 1 tenance of the burial grounds and the upkeep of the monuments
 Ready for Quick Departure
 With regard to preparations for leav- ing France, General Pershing said the service of supply was rapidly cleaning up everywhere and could be ready on ten days notice to turn everything over to the French. Of the American forces remaining in France, Gen. Persning said about 325 officers, largely re- serves, were on duty with the Hoover commission. engaged in relief work Most of these officers would remain in civilian capacities when demobilized
 It was his opinion General Pershine declared, that the 4S000 German pris- oners held by the American army might be released as soon as the Ger man peace treaty is ratified by three of the great powers. He did not be- lieve it would be necessary to await ratification of the treaty by the United States senate.
 The talk of the general with cor respondents took place on the terrace of his residence, overlooking one oi the most beautiful gardens in Paris where afterwards he was photographed with the group of newspapermen, many of whom formerly were accredited correspondents with the American ex- peditionary forces.
 Crowds Watch Review For the review this afternoon grea crowds had gathered, although no of ficial notice that the review would h held had been published The specta tors cheered the splendid battalion 0 picked men as it swung by in ful marching equipment with the clock lik precision that has made it famous bot in Paris and London
 Hugh c. Wallace, American ambas sador stood at General Pershing
 right during the review. When tn ceremony ended the crowds pushed for ward and surrounded General Persh ing, shaking his hand and batting hir on the back. Many women held | babies to be kissed by the America commander. General Pershing's stai
 endeavored to form bodyguard {
 get him to his automobile, but tn :. general laughingly submitted to tn :. demonstration, kissed baby after bah : and shook hands with every one wh l managed to get near him. Finall ! when he entered his car it was to rous : ing cheers for the United States an
 himself.
 : General Pershing expects to depa ,, for the United States early in SeI r tember.
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 : VILLA ACTIVE AGAIN