New-York tribune., 1919-09-17
General to Lead 25, 900 Men
Up PENNSYLVANIA Avenue
in eliminating Victory
Procession of the War
Congress Thanks Him
Will Give Him Reception
Thursday on Behalf of
u. S. Instead of a Sword

WASHINGTON. Sept. 16.-Washing-
ton was in full holiday dress to-
night, awaiting the eliminating mill
tary spectacle of the great war
tomorrow, when General John J..
Pershing leads the 1st Division
up Pennsylvania Avenue in the
national victory parade Approx
mately $4,000 veterans will follow
their chief in this last appearance of
the American Expeditionary Forces,
soon to go out Of existence completely.
They will be officially reviewed by
Vice President Marshall in the absence
of President Wilson, and unoffic;ally
by nearly half million citizens of
Washington and surrounding towns.
For General Pershing himself the
national reception ceremonies will not
end until Thursday. On that day he
will 3e rendered an honor rarely be-
slowed, public reception by Congress
in the name of the nation. A joint
resolution expressing the gratitude of
Congress to him and to the officers and
men OF his army was passed to-day by
both houses. At the last m moment, in keep
ing with the democratic ideals of the
nation, 1t was decided not to present
him sword, as had been suggested.
Typifies Whole Army
Along the broad avenue which has
peer, trod in triumphal pageants by
hundreds of thousands Of Americans
in days gone by, General Pershing will
lead force worthy of every honor, be-
cause of its own deeds and also be-
cause it typifes on this occasion the
whole army of the United States dur
ing the war. Through the men of the
lst Division, pioneers of the force in
France, and last of the lighting divis
IONS to return, the nation will express
It's gratitude tomorrow to those other
millions of it's soldiers who could not
share directly in the spectacle TO the
dead whose sacrifice brought peace to
the fields of France where they sleep;
to the wounded and manned in the
hospitals, and to all the men who have
gone back to enjoy as civilians the
honor and peace and liberty for which
they turne ed to war
Street Is Court of Honor
ELABORATE preparations for the spec
tacle have been made. Before the
government departments grandstands
have been erected from which thous-
aho5 OF government clerks will view
the lire OF march. Before the White
House has been placed q reviewing
stand where VicePresident Marshall
viii take his post to salute the flags
OF the fighting regiments as they swing
by For three blocks along the front
of the Treasury, White House and
State, War and Navy Buildings the
wide street has become a court of
honor f1anked by tiers Of seats from
which high officials, including mem
bers of the Diplomatic Corps, will
view the parade. At one end stands
a massive victory arch, through which
the column will march to pass in re-
view.
Business in Washington, public and
private. will be suspended for the day.
Congress has recessed until Friday be-
cause of the ceremonies of tomorrow
and next day. The Supreme Court is
not in session, and the men who are
at the head of the three great func-
tions into which American ideals have
divided government-legisla execu-
tive and judicial-will be present to-
morrow to pay tribute to the march
ing thousands who fought and suffered
that these ideals might survive.
Will Not Visit Missouri
Due to many pressing matters, Cen
era Pershing will be unable to make
at this time his planned visit to his
boyhood home in Missouri and has de-
csined all of the invitations which have
been rendered him.