Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-23
GOVERNOR
MCkELV|E
WELCOMES
HOME
Chief Executives Of Nebraska
and Kansas on Boat Char
y tered to Meet Middle
West Heroes.

New York. May 22.-(Special
Telegram. Eight ships, two of
them the giant merchant vessel,
Leviathan and Imperator, brought
home $4,000 troops of the American
expeditionary forces today. A large
number of the troops were from the
89th division.
These were drafted men from
Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Col
orado-trained at Camp Fupston by
Gen. Leonard Wood, who was at the
pier to greet them. Also waiting
were Governor Allen of Kansas and
Governor McKe1vie of Nebraska.
The two great transports came up
the bay with the Leviathan leading
by less than a half mile, and then
docked at the same pier they used
when under the German flag.
The ships left Brest Thursday,
May Is, the Imperator at l a. m. and
the Leviathan at $3.50 p. m. There
then developed a race, with the re-
suit that the latter vessel overlook
and passed the Imperator early on
Tuesday morning.
Former Commander on Bridge.
On the bridge of the Imperator
was her former commander, COM
modore Thomas Kief. With him
was Capt. Fritz Frederick Kruse,
who formerly commanded the Cleve-
land. These officers, with others,
were sent along to assist the Ameri-
cans in handling the ship. The yes
sci was under command of Capt.
John K. Robinson of the United
States navy.
Among the civilian passengers on
the Leviathan were Henry P. Da-
vison, chairman of the Red Cross
war council, and Representatives
Julius Kahn of California and Rich
ard Olney of Massachusetts,. Travel
ing as casual was Brig. Gen. John
some Hagood.
Mothers Welcome Boys.
The boat which was chartered to
go down the bay this morning with
Governor McKelvie of Nebraska
and Governor Allen of Kansas and
their parties to meet the Leviathan
carried also many fathers, moth
ers, wives and sisters and sweet
hearts of the soldiers who have
travelled 1900 miles from Nebraska
and Kansas to be present at the New
York part of the big celebration of
the homecoming of these 1000 mid
west members of the 89th division.
A 60-piece band has been en-
ployed for the occasion. The well
coming delegation will carry ban
ners representing the cities of Oma-
la, Lincoln, Hastings, Norfolk, FIRE.
mont, Grand Island and Wayne.
Governor at Biltmore.
Governor McKelvie occupies a
suite at the Biltmore hotel. Gov
ernor Allen of Kansas has a suite at
the Wa1dorf-Astoria. Norris A.
Huse, formerly of Norfolk, is chair
man of the New York committee OF
Nebraskans assisting in the welcome
of these boys from France. =
The welcome to be given the 89th
division will equal and perhaps
eclipse welcomes given to other
homecoming divisions.
Upon its arrival in New York to-
day and following the first welcome
from the home folks, the 89th divi-
sion will be sent to nearby canton
ments, where the men will go
through the, delousing process.
Entertainments Are Planned.
1t will probably be two or three
days before they are allowed away
from these camps on pass. As soon
as they are allowed leave there will
be- series of entertainments for
them at the Nebraska welcome COM
mittee headquarters, 125 West For
ty-second street. Here the soldiers
will have all their "home town" pa
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