The sun., 1919-08-04
CITY WILL SEE
End DIVISION
MARCHFRIDAY
Gen. Lejeune Makes An
nouncement on Arrival
on George Washington.
20 BRIDES ARE ON BOARD
High Official Praise From
Tardieu Is Brought Over
by Commander.


rs officers expressed II. fought to a
fraxzie." the iilustrious Second Division.
eioriied by the loss OF nearly two-thirds
Of its original warriors. will on FridaJ
give New York chance to see how It
can march. 1t has been practising re-
Gently all over France ana q part OF
Germany and suspects that II can parade
pretty well.
That is the emphatic opinion Of its
commander. Major-Gen. John A. Le-
5eune OF the United States Marine Corps,
who returned yesterday by the transport
George Washington.
The first definite news of the decision
OF the War Department TO permit the
entire division to march IN Manhattan
came to Major-Gen. Lejeune from Major.
Cen. Shanis, commanding the port OF
ombarkation in Hoboken. directing him
20 make the necessary arrangement for
the demonstration and to keep all the
personnel OF the division In service until
after the parade.
The troops aboard the Washington did
not like the report at FIRST, but when they
learned that the parade was to be In
New York they became more. reconciled.
Their commander said for them In Satur-
parade would be "a hitting wind UP for
the glorious career of the Second Divi-
sion. and would enable the people to APP
preciate why It was that the American
arms prevailed against those OF the most
highly trained military nation in the
world"
Proud of His Soldiers.
The General said after landing at Ho-
token yesterday evening that he re-
garded It rs a signal honor that the divi-
sion should have q chance to display its
martial genius nine months after the
signing Of the armistice. when public
enthusiasm had died down considerably.
Then like good leader Of marines. the
General said:
Il am proud OF my men. soldiers and
marines. and they ought to know how
u parade. as they have been parading
IN all the ports OF France and some of
the cities of Germany all these months.
Z am glad we are now going to parade
IN New York city. We will give the
real show here"
Although most OF the military passen-
gers of the s,741 who arrived by tho
George Washington are marines. their
off1cers wanted II distinctly understood
that they were only a part OF the great
outfit that had helped knock out the
Germans. All Of the Fifth Marines. 1873
officers and AHA men. in command Of
Col. Harold c. Snyder. got in. with the
Sixth Marines Supply Company and the
men: the 322d Field Battalion Signal
Corps. Is officers and 6s6 men; the Sec
ond Division Headquarters Detachment
and troop of officers and 500 men.
There were on board also forty-eight
brides. mostly of casual officers and men.
thirty-five of whom are French. Col.
Snyder said not one of the marines
aboard had married in France. preferrins
pRtriotically to give the American girls
a chance
Before taking command OF the Fifth
Marines Gen. Lejeune was assistant to
Major-Gen. Barnett, commandant of the
Marine Corps. and the latter boarded
the George Washington at Quarantine
with his staff. made up Of Lieut-Col. II.
j.. Roosevelt. Col Henry c. Davis. Capt.
Charles L. Murray and Capt E. L. Dye,
and greeted the division commander. ac-
companying him TO Hoboken.
Praise From Tardieu.
Just before the departure of the
transport from Brest Major-Gen. Lejeune
recsived this letter of appreciation from
Andre Tardieu. High Commissioner of
Franco-American Affairs:
your splendid division. which is now
about to depart from France. leaves be-
hind Il imperishable memories of hero
ism and sacrifice. 1t was one of the
first Of the American divisions to cross
the seas, and in March. 1918. your
troops. side by side with their French
comrades, mounted guard on the Heights
Of the Meuse. When the time of action
arrived the Second Division in one stroke
proved itself TO be a corps d'ellte. The
name OF the Bots de Belleau will be
recorded In the annals Of France as well
symbol Of audacity, courage and loyal
brotherhood in arms.
Thereafter the Second Division par
ticipated In all of the operations of the
last great battle. The prisoners captured
by Il number thousands. At Vierzy
Villemontoire. Thiaucourt. Xammes,
Jaulny, Saint Etienne-a-Arnes and
finally at Mouzon It always fully MAIN
tained its great reputation.
y am writing at the moment you are
sailing for home to express to you the
everlasting gratitude of France. i bow
my head IN honor OF those who in these
nerceiy contested battles have babe the
supreme sacrifice. am convinced that
the blood poured out In the common
cause win strengthen the ties which
unites our people.
IL
IN my most devoted sentiments For
the President OF the Council and by his
ORDER
Capt. Walter G. Long. formerly a
newspaper man In Philadelphia and edI-
tor Of the Second Divisions newspaper,
said he was authorized to speak for both
marines and others of the organisation
when he announced that the pride of all
hands was that II was the only one of it's
kind ever formed. made up OF army,
navy and coast artillery troops.
From the time we went into action at
Chateau Thierry," the Captain said, "not
forgetting the time we were lent to the
French ana broke the German line in
the Champagne, we never knew what a
rest billet was. All the Second Division
is home or on the way except the First
Field Signal Battalion, who have TO stay
behind on the Rhine"
The divisional officers of all ranks
mournfully buried the Sam Browne belt
1T sea on Saturday. One belt was placed
IN tin adorned coffin and solemnly
lowered over the side after a parade OF
officers on the promenade deck with the
fegimental band playing the dead
march" The comm did not have
enough weight to sink It and the en-
listed men had a great time cheering
xnd Jeering at the ceremony.
The biggest collection OF animals. wild
and otherwise, ever brought in by a
transport were on the George wash
ington. These included ffty-slx dogs
two monkeys, two deer, an ami eater
a fAx