New-York tribune., 1919-02-13
O'Ryan Clears
Way for Return
OF Heroic 9th
Commander Goes to Brest to
Select Site for New York
Men to Await Departure
By Wilbur Forrest
Neao York Tribums
Special Cable Serrics

Special Cable Service
Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
MONTFORT LIE ROTROU, France
Feb. 12.-Major General John f
Organ, commander of the eth Divi-
sion, left headquarters here to-day for
Brest, where he will remain to super
intend the embarkation of the New
York National Guardsmen homeward.
General Organs departure we'll ahead
Of the troops, the bulk of whom are
not slated to leave this area for sew
eral days, was prompted by alarming
reports regarding conditions at the
Brest camps. General O'Ryan means
to see that his men have every COM
fort when they reach the port of en-
barkation, and if conditions at Brest
are as alleged in unofficial dispatches
from America, the general will take full
steps to remedy them in so far as his
own troops are concerned.
The entire division, which has expert
cnced many disappointments regarding
reports Of its home going, is consid-
erably heartcned to-day by the official
publication of a letter from Major Gen
eral George Read, commander of the
American embarkation centre, promis-
ing the 27th that the division will leave
Brest for the United States before the
end Of February.
To Parade Fifth Avenue Soon
This is the first definite official prom
ise yet made, and, coming from General
Read, formerly commander of the
American Second Corps, under which
the division fought with the British in
Flanders and Ficardy, the men feel
that no further assurance is necessary.
The promise is regarded as sufficiently
broad to include all possible DELAYS,
and it probably would be accurate to
say that the 9th will be seen parading
in Fifth Avenue within short time.
The divisions heaviest single piece
of baggage already has been shipped
to Brest. 1t is a five-ton German motor
truck, captured by the former guards
men at st. Souplet during German rear
guard actions on the bank of the Selle
River. The enemy had been driven
from st. Souplet in heavy street fight
ing and were forced to blow up 6
bridge as they fled, leaving the truck
behind. The village gave up much
booty to the New Workers. including
the truck, which General Persning has
now granted permission to ship back
to New York with the division.
The truck, which bears the double
eagled coat of arms of Prussia on its
sides, will be seen by New Yorkers
when the 9th parades down Fifth
Avenue on its return.
New Musical Comedy Coming
Another surprise is in store for the
folks back home in the form of brand
new musical comedy now being re-
hearsed by the best talent in the divi-
sion for home consumption. 1t is pos
sble that the comedy will be presented
at the Lexington Opera House, where
the company performed with such
great success before its departure for
Europe.
The morale of the entire division is
higher to-day than ever, and trunks,
bags and kit-bags already are packed
for the departure which is hoped for
within the next few days.
One thing is certain. The 9th will
leave France before the end of Febru-
airy without fail. The men here have
asked The Tribune to assure their
relatives of that.
j. General Pershing has sent personal
letter of high commendation to Cen
eral O'Ryan for the fine appearance
and solderly qualities OF the entire
division, "from its general right on
down."
Coming, as it does. from the personal
~