New-York tribune., 1919-09-11
$4,000 Men Cheered by
100000 Spectators
Of Four-Hour Parade
Down Fifth Avenue
General HaIts Line
To Greet Cardinal
Only $500 Soldiers of
Original Unit in Line;
Commander Thrilled

General Pershing and the doughboy
shared honors yesterday in the great
est pageant Of victory New York ever
has looked upon.
The commander Of the American Ex-
pediticnary Forces and the bronzed
soldiers Of the all American 1st Divi-
sion passed through a lane of roses,
of waving flags and shouting humanity
in their last parade through New York.
Officially, it was Pershing Day. But
1t also was the day of the First. For
the roar of greeting and farewell, the
kisses. the tears and the roses were as
much for the hobnailed private as for
the man who rode at their head.
The men and women who gathered
ron every state to watch formed the
greatest crowd ever gathered in Fifth
Ayenue. 1t was estimated that 1,500,-
600 made the human frame to the NOV
ing picture screened on the avenue
OF victory for more than four hours.
Pershing Halts Parade
TO Greet Belgian Cardinal
But the enthusiasm of the multi
tudes WAS not exhibited by mere
shouting and waving of hands Evi
dence of the fearful losses of the
division-to be seen on every side
served to cast gloom over the
crowds and the greetings took on {
more personal touch as groups of mer
and women here and there recognized
some particular hero who had spe-
cal claim upon their attention.
Strangely enough the MOI thorough.
" trained Of all Uncle Sans veterans
forgot military regulations and the hard
and fast rules that ordinarily govern
the conduct of the soldier while or
exhibition. 1nformality was the key
note Of he day with officers and men
General pershing himself set the
example for his men, when at St
fa;rlck's Cathedral on catching sight
Oh Cardinal Mercier the heroic Bel
gan prelate who defied the Germans
as they advanced into his country, he
alghted from his horse and held up
Inc parade to greet the churchmar
personally. The soldier walked
straight to the Cardinal and hello
out his hand in greeting.
Cardinal Mercier, Pm mighty glae
10 see YOU again." was all he said.
This is splendid. General" replied
'he Cardinal, waving his hand TOWARD
'ne flying colors, the crowds and the
lines OF straight limbed, khaki-clae
young men behind him.
eets Bouquet of Roses,
Kisses K. Of c. Girl
here' too, General Pershing wa.
gwen warmer greeting. Miss Kilt!
ual'on, wearing the uniform of tn,
"n'shts of Columbus, placed grea
uouquet of red roses in the arms O.
ne general. Then she looked up ex
pec'antly to the recipient of the gift
slight pink was added to tn
S'ohze Of the soldiers cheeks. 4
seeper color swept over the face O
'Ae girl. But General Pershing hat
'ee" TOO long in France to forget hi
Nuy he leaned over and kissed he
s'ef SO lightly on the cheek.
Later IN the afternoon, as he dis
a'0uhted from his horse at Washing
~" square, the general voiced his
tp"ion of the demonstration INSPIRED
y the parade
never saw anything like it..
1 ever expect to," he said.
| linen ne elbowed his way through tn,
4 '' hatured crowd of men and womel
struggled to reach him, manage,
!" reach a waiting automobile and wa
tS''ed back to the Waldorf where
A." window of his suite on the Fiftl
saae site, he reviewed the still NOV
'@s line of men.
~. ef brief rest and visit with thos
us family who are with him at tn
~ sN' he again was met by Rodma,
r''naKer, chairman of the Mayor
'''ee OF Welcome. and escorted t.