The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-08


be accommodated.
As General Pershing was escorted
to the upper deck of the pier a guard
of honor from the First division stood
at present arms, while a large detail
of officers saluted.- Along the whole
line of soldiers and welfare workers
who had seen service in France. AS
the commander approached there was
blare OF trumpets
Gets New Commission.
Secretary Baker. who acted as a
master of ceremonies, escorted Gen
eral Pershing to a platform where he
welcomed him on behalf of the nation.
At the close of his address Mr.. Baker
manent commission as a full general.
The commander gave his acknowledge
ments and then leaning over the plat
form handed the scroll to his son,
Warren, who displayed all a small
boys delight in the proceedings.
Bakers Welcome Address.
In welcoming General Pershing. Sec
rotary Baker said:
About two and a half years ago.
by the presidents direction, 1 had the
honor of designating you to lead the
armies of the United States in France.
Today you return, your mission &C
complished. with victory written on
the banners of the greatest army the
nation has ever had and with the
priceless foundations OF liberty and
freedom saved for us and for the
world as the result of our participation
in the world war.
The task entrusted to you required
all the Imagination, all the energy.
and all the genius of a great COM
mander. From the first you had the
complete confidence of the president
i III
fidence remained mistaken to the end.
Had Peoples Full Support.
From the beginning you had all
the support the people Of the United
States could give. You and your
country and their country's cause,
They worked with devotion and self
sacrifice to sustain and supply you
with troops and equipment. Their
hearts went overseas with you and
their prayers for your welfare and
that OF your men were constant.
Doubtless the confidence and af-
inspiration to you in the hours OF prep
aration and in the hours of battle. and
the superb exploits of the army I'M
der your command were in turn an
inspiration to our national effort.
Returns to Heart of q. S.
THE great victories are now won.
Your magnificent army has returned
and the soldiers who once marched
thru the thickest of the ArSo6ne are
citizens again, filled with high mem
cries Of great deeds and carrying into
life the inspiration which membership
in that great company and sacrifice
for that great cause engendered. Your
return closes the history of the Amer
lean expeditionary forces. The presi-
dent had hoped to be here personally
to speak on behalf of the nation
word of welcome. In his enforced
absence he has directed me to speak
it.
II bid you welcome gratefully, on
and on behalf of the people whose
sons you have led. The confidence
with which we sent you away you have
sacredly KEEP Wherever there Is a
soldier or friend of a soldier there
is lover of liberty; wherever there is
a heart which rejoices at the deliver
ance Of mankind from it's hour of
peril. you and your great army are re-
membered and loved. You return not
only to American soil, but to the heart
Of the country.
Presidents Message.
THE president has directed me to
read TO you this message:
My Dear General Pershing:
am distressed that I cannot
greet you in person. 1t would give me
the greatest pleasure to grasp your
hand and say to you what is in nv
heart and In the hearts of all true
Americans as we hail your return to
the homeland you have served so gall
lantly. Notwithstanding my physical
absence, may 1 not, as your COM
mander-in chief and as spokesman of
our fellow countrymen, bid you an af-
fcctionate and enthusiastic welcome
welcome warmed with the ardor of
genuine affection and deep adnira-
ton. You have served the country
with fine devotion and admirable eff
nciency in a war forever memorable
as the worlds triumphant protest
against injustice and as it's vindication
OF hberty-the liberty of people and
Of nations.
We are proud of you and of the
men you commanded. No finer armies
ever set their indon1itable strength and
uncomfortable spirit against the forces
OF wrong. Their glory is the glory of
the patton, and 1t is with a thrill of
profound pride that we greet you as
their leader and commander You
have Just come from the sea and from
the care of the men OF the navy who
made the achievements of our arms
on land possible and who so calamity
assisted to clear the seas of their Turk
ing peril. Our hearts go out to them.
1T is delightful to see you home
again, well and fit for the fatigues
you must endure before we are done
with our welcome. 1 will not speak
now or our associates on the other side
OF the sea. II will be delightful on
many occasions to speak their praise.
I speak now only of our personal JOY
that you are at home again and that
We have the opportunity to make you
feel the warmth of our affectionate
welcome"
Pershing obviously was under the
strain of great emotion when Baker
ceased speaking.
Senator Wadsworth and Congress
man Mondell then spoke briefly.
William G. McAdoo said:
Hat Band Same Size.
We sent you over to do a Job and
you did 1t ahead of time. The best
mart Of ft fQ the fact yOu Coma hack