Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-09
THOUSANDS GREET
ARMY COMMANDER
ON ARRIVAL HOME
Hundreds of Thousands of
New Workers Roar
Real Welcome.
SECRETARY BAKER HANDS
HIM NEW COMMISSION
Woman Implants Kiss on His
Cheek, but He Prevents
Another.
RECEIVES WILSON'S MESSAGE
Pays Tribute to Rank and File, to
Whom He Gives Credit
for Victory.
SECRETARY BAKER HANDS
HIM NEW COMMISSION
RECEIVES WILSON'S MESSAGE
IRy Associated Press !

NEW YORK. Sept. s.-General Per-
shing, after two years in command of
the greatest army America ever sent
to battle. returned to the United
States today. AS he stepped ashore
from the huge liner Leviathan. he was
handed a commission as general,
rank previously held by only three
observation-disclosures Sherman and SherI.
dan.
The stern faced soldier was not
proof against the tribute of praise and
gratitude which was roared from hum
dreds OF thousands OF throats of his
fellow w-citizens.
His voice tremblcd with emotion as
he responded to the greetings extend
ed by Secretary OF War Baker in his
as well as the welcoming addresses OF
representatives of the Senate and
House and State and city.
thd Cheering multIt1des, which iammed
Broadway from the Battery to the City
Hall. Pershing attempted in vain to
maintain his composure. At first he
replied to the cheers with the stiff sa-
lutte which military etiquette demands,
but he was soon carried away by the
storm of applause which swept in great
gusts about him. Rising to his feet. he
waved his cap about his head with
boyish gesture. which told how deeply
of his bronzed face broke into a smile.
New York did not exhaust it's welcome
today. Wednesday he will ride down
Fifth. Avenue at the head of the First
Division of the regular army. the first
TO go and the last to leave victors
in the first battle ever fought on
Surrounded by comrades. humber In
station, but who had offered their all
just as freely in the cause OF liberty.
native land. When the huge Levia than
nosed her way through the mists off
the Jersey coast. the general stood
posite regiment" 5000 picked Amerl-
can soldiers. known as 'Pershing's
Own"
Secretary Baker Hands Commission.
the gangplank at Hoboken. Secretary
OF War Baker handed him his COM
mission as full general in the Ameri-
can army.
hidden BY the imposing figure of the
general. was a little boy trying to
and Fsfssnx the HE
commander-in-ch in chiefs only surviving
child. When the general received his
b he se d1esm to MS Mh son an and md
junction to keep 1t safe. The ser
geant" kept it safely all right, but
stTr y IN the fro 1hs hs
father, much to the dismay OF the
general. When the boy was recovered
his father asked anxiously:
Warren. have you got the commis-
sion?"
Yes. sir" replied the Sergeant
promptly
well. see that you hold OH TO it,"
Among little army of welfare
workers who greeted General Pershing
we're fifty girls, three Of whom were
decorated for bravery under fire while
serving with the First Division.
Real Ovation mt New York.
But it was reserved TO New York
to begin the real ovation TO the re-
turning hero For hours before ,sIs,tis the
with patient thousands. AS the little
boat with its distinguished party
steamed, up to the pier an uproar be
gan such as Manhattan probably aever
had heard. From thousand factories
and vessels steam sirens shrieked out
a raucous welcome. but vainly tried to
and fell and rose again.
At FIRST General Pershing seemed 10
be suffering more from embarrassment
swiftly from the landing stage to his
Eayly decorated automobile and set
lied himself down in his seat like
man who has an important journey 10
make and wants TO get 1t over with
a $ quickly as possible. But as the long
procession OF ears started up Broad
way he was engulfed in a flood OF en-
thusiasm before which no man could
have remained unmoved.
Perfect Bediam of Noise.
The great canyon which forms New
Iork's financial district. today the
financial heart OF tho world, was a
bedlam OF noise and riot OF oolor.
Every window in the huge skyscrapers
was packed and even the cloud pierc-
ing roofs had their quotas From these
storm Of many-colored confetti de-
scended on the surEinG crowds be-
meath.
The enthusiasm OF the spectators
found vent In one unrehearsed incident
which was received by General PER-
shinS with apparently mingled feel
inSs. AS he entered the City Hall
nankcd by Governor Smith and Mayor
Hylan. a woman burst past the police
guards and implanted a sound kiss Oh
his cheek. Another woman. stirred 20
emulation. attempted to repeat the
feat but tho general raised his hand
In supplication: on madam" ne said,
please don't. Not that.
The ceremony at the City Hall,
where General Pershlng was officially,
welcomed to New York. was br!eI
After tho MayOr :, al al