The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-23
PERSHING PRAISES
PEOPLE FOR VICTORY
Tells American Club in Paris
Backing of Home Folks
Paved the Way.
SUPPORT OF THE SOLDIER
Admiral Benson, Ambassador
Sharp and Herbert Hoover
Ais oAre Speakers.

PARIS, Feb. 22.-Generai Pershing.
Herbert Hoover. Ambassador Sharp and
Admiral Benson were speakers to-day
at the annual luncheon in honor of
washington's birthday given by the
American Club OF Paris at the Palais
dorsay. &t
Responding to the toast to the Ameri-
can Army. General Pershins expressed
his thanks to tho American people for
the support they had given to tho ex-
peditionary forces.
whether keeping lonely vigil In the
trenches, whether attacking machine
gun nests or performing the drudgery
OF the rear or supplying the front line,
each man has done his duty" said Gen.
eral Pershing, land he has felt that he
had behind him the support OF the
whole country. BY his courage. in
domitable will. his splendid organixa-
ton and his tenacity. the American SOL
der has turned impending defeat into
overwhelming victory. drink to the
American soldier, than whom there IL no
better In the world to-day. Long live
the American soldier"
Admiral Benson. replying to the toast
TO the navy. said in humorous vein that
the navy had also performed Its duty.
but desired to be modest about It He
recalled the fact that Gen. Pershing be-
fore joining the army was a midship-
man. adding: 1T Is good thing for US
that he has since left the navy"
Admiral Benson said that during. the
last months of the war the organixa-
ton of the navy watch along the At
lantic coast and the positions of the
various squadrons OF dreadnougffts
cruisers and destroyers made II impoe-
sibie for the German navy even to at
tack the allied transports. Now that
the state of war was over the navy had
taken over numerous merchant ships
and at present actually was manning
thirty-seven ships engaged in the task
of helping Hoover feed Europe.
There have been few moments in the
worlds history more pregnant with anx-
iety than to-day" said Mr.. Hoover.
THE situation in Europe is so chaotic
| that every one must unite and refrain
from discussing problems with precon-
ceived ideas. The results of four years
of destruction. not alone among the Al
lies. but also in the enemy countries
must be met
Before the war the supply Of food
In Europe was sufficient to last six
months. But European production was
| never at such q low ebb as at present
1t practically has stopped. Tho situation
however. Is not desperate. Conflicting
Ideas. we hope, will Be removed. and the
good common sense which helped the
father of the country to conduct the
| destinies of our country through trou-
| blous times will enable his successor to
help guide the world out Of It's present
predicament."
Ambassador Sharp briefly reviewed
1 his four years at Paris. He humorous.y
| described the problems which confront
4 France and America upon his departure
the most momentous OF which is ths
! settlement of the claim OF the limoge.
exporters. He had had little time t.
give to the limoges problem since 1914
A band known in the American Elk
peditionary Forces as Gen. Pershing's
own" recruited from the bands OF ever,
unit In the Expeditionary Forces ant
led by L. S. Fisher of Baltimore. playeC
selections by American composers.