The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-20
Az Rohert V.eIies Eitrh,r

London. July It'll tell the
world London is come burg" This ia
the verdict OF Private Hank Summer
field. one time resident of staten
! Island. y. Y, Just arrived from
kaiscresch. in tho American zone OF
iuhilaat over his good luck in being
among the three battaliops OF Perish e.
fng's men sciected TO lead the great
peace parade today.
Outside broadway, and possibly
Surf avenue al Coney Island he
added, this Pfccadl}y and the
Strand are about the livoiJest places
I've seen since June, 1878 Man Us
fellows up Cohlenz way are SO plum b
wooden shoes CHATTER and listen TO
this Dutch language stuG that this
here's a picnic. believe me-
] found Hank and one hun ired ~
his mates wearing the green treefoil
Of a fam Gus division on their shoul-
iers bunked Mt a Salvation Army
hotel, down on Hofsofertv road, near
Victoria station. rershineS Nanks
arr scattered in hillets all over that
end of The town hunk.ng four In a
room, but happy as hno!boyS IN a
swimming hole, They are all picked
mon, remember. representing every
branch Of the American army. and
the same who marched through the
arch of triumph at Paris In last Mon
days delirious joy.
Every man is proud to be a mem
Der Of this prize outfit and though an
extra force of American military po-
lice is paIroliing the streets, there is
no necessity for 1t These boys arc
not going 10 start anything.
They are a strange combination o.
healthy children on ii holiday aud
world citizens who have assumed the
airs ~ i30ule vardterS that win seem
strange when they are dcmobIitzod
and back IN the lfttie towns of Ohio.
Washington and North Carolina,
TheIr rafy y arkee sang is sprinkled
with strange French and German
words Deep down IN their eyes
turks a gleam Of great kncw'rdge--
Il was not there when they donned
the khaki back home.
Every second man wears some rib
bon. indicating a French Belgian or
American war medal. and their rec
ords run from Caetiguy, America S
first f~hf. All the way through 10 the
last bitter hours IN the Arsonnc.
They are men " no fought Jerry
from trench and tank and i'm the
open, very much so. They are all
part and parcel Of this strange gath
erinc % nations that has come 10
help London make this . fitting holi-
day And they succeeded.
Besides the Americans vending
thejr way through the damned streets,
bound for the theatre OF Eagle hut,
the main thoroughfares abound with
French. Beleians and Poles. 0'ccas-
ionally one sees StamcSe soldier.
Then there are thousands OF sail
erS from Beatty's mighty feet anch-
ared In the Thames. Many Of them
arr seeing London the first time
since 1914 May others came from
alien corners of the World such as the
White sea and the F,uphratcs. But the
heaviest majority is composed Of sol
pire eaye India. as we'll as the
home reriments
1t was noticeable everywhere how
the yanks pal" with the Canadian'
! ard Anzacs The Eagle hut Is offer
( ing entertainments equally for all
! AF for London, the old town Was to-
! dav as she never was before.
From the eiahoratdly draped Mel
! son monument--'donc. at the risk o
/ several riggers necks-to the low
/ Hest public house IN the Lam betl
! slums. London has broken ont will
| a brilliant rash of flags and bunting
| Despite the prohibitive price o.
/ coal despite SIR Edward Carsou''
! warrike speeches, despite the Irist
! question. and despite Bob" Smile
this mans town sure had large
! time today,