The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-20
London Almost as Lively as Old
Broadway or Coney, Says Hank
Picked Soldiers From the A. E. F. Enjoy Sights and
Have Big Time in the British Metropolis.


Ia victory and the poilus whose hero
ism had won the admiration OF the
world were applauded wildly. but the
hearts Of the crowd We're with Perish :
ins and the men who had come 5000
miles. across the sea TO the rescue
when the allied forces were fighting
With, their backs to the wall.
Good old Pershing' was the greet
ing 10 the American com nander from
the workers along the line of march
In ancient Remington. which had not
been horored by being selected for
the route Of big military parade
since 14Ib. when Henry V returned
from Actncourt. And Pershings men
received an equally friendly greet
I'M. az they marched by with the pc
Guitar free swing that Is duplicated
by the Canadians and Australians
alone among the allied troops.
The forty American flags in tho
line were saluted with unfating
prom plness by the massed millions
along the seven mile line of march.
The fnal great demonstration for the
Americans came when Pershing salut-
cd King George. dismounted and took
his place in front OF buckingham pa
lace In this stand. in addition to the
members of the royal family, were
Premier Lloyd George, other members
OF the cabinet and a large delegation
Of members OF pariiam ent.
II Nations join.
Fourteen nations Joined with En-
gland In today's great dem onstrstion.
There were about 5000 troops in
line and It was estimated that there
were fully $500 GOO persons assem-
bled along the route.
At some points The crowds were
ha re
was some confusion at Trafalgar
square when the crowds broke through
the police lines and the parade had
TO he halted until order was restored
II was the most picturesque parade
that London has ever seen. In the
lines were troops from all quarters
of the earth There were Americans,
Britons. French. Belgians. Australi
ans. New Zealanders, Scotch, Welsh,
fr h. Italians japanese, Poles, Portu-
guesa, Rumanians Serbs. Czechs and
Stamcsc. The uniforms ana flags OF
these lighting men from All the world
had fitting background in the deco
rattons along the line.
The parliament buildings. depart
ing from the usual custom, were a
mass of flags, as were the governme nt
buildings in White hall. The Nelson
shaft in Trafalgar square was wreath
ed with flags of Britain and her allies
and the roadway in front of Buchtng
ham palace was fianked with tag
( drapcd columns bearing the names OF
famous battles
] General pershing led the first sec
\ ton of six thousand allied and asso-
! cfated troops. including the French.
+ led by Field Marshal Foch. Their
j came Admiral Beatty AT the head
( Of the sea fighters. FIVE thousand in
number. followed by Field Marsha
Haie. at the head OF the empire
army" composed Of troops from all
sections Of the British empire. The
women auxiliaries were represented
/ hv SIX hundred "waacs."
II was the first time women had
, been seen in such parade. Therf
was also a contingent Of nurses
women auxiliary We're represented
i of the most enthusiastic specta'
tors Of the parade. When the head
~ the line came abreast of the roya
stand she jumped TO her feet AM
waved her hand Dressed in black
she made most imposing figure.
/ Former King Manuel. of Portugal
was ii the royal stand. While tn
Portuguese troops were marchin'
pa.,t he had his arm raised and /
WAS thought he was saluting lie wa
merely holding "A pair OF field glasse
to his eyes.
PROCESSION, all having gone home.
WHISTLES. horns and bells wer
among the noise making devices usef
nv tbn crowds and II was voted tina
mo result was a greater din than tina
,vhirl greeted The news of the signing
of tho armistice last November
The celebration was continued 10