New-York tribune., 1919-09-13
Women and Children Are
Prominent in Reception
TO General at Station;
Guns Roar, Bands Play
Met by Secretary Baker
us. Commander Thanked
Officially by Marshall in
the Name of the President

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12.-With the
plaudits of New York and Philadelphia
still ringing in his ears, General John
J. Pershing arrived in Washington to-
moro formal greeting he will receive
next week when he leads the 1st Divi-
sion up historic Pennsylvania Avenue
in She nations Victory parade.
AS he stepped from his special train at
the station the man who led the Ameri-
can army to victory in France heard
shrill cry of greeting rise from the
hundreds of women and girls who lined
his pathway. AS he stood later with
barred head before Vice President Mar
shall in the Presidents waiting room
to receive the welcome of the President
and of the nation, again it was women
and girls, armed with flags and
flowers who surrounded him. There
was little of the pomp of war about
this conquerors return.
Reception Is Informal
The reception, with the exception
of these lines of school girls and
women of the government departments,
L
ident Wilson's name by Vice-P President
Marshall, was informal. Secretary
Baker and General March, chief of
staff, greeted General Pershing at the
train and escorted him to the room
where the Vice President awaited him.
The arched roof of the big building,
where the wide approaches were built
with just such scenes in mind, roared
With the shouting of the crowd jammed
al. !, l. 4
Youpded out its formal greeting of
Hail to the Chief" almost unheard.
hes crash of saluting artillery. posted
ar away by thS<Quiet Potomac, be-
side the nations stone built tributes
Washington and Lincoln, went un-
ioticed.
The Presidents Welcome
Vice-P President Marshall said, well
coming General Pershing:
"You are not only welcome to the
capital city of your own Republic, but
YOU are welcome back to the land of
YOUR nativity. Your commander in chief
bids me in his behalf and in behalf
Of the American people to greet you.
ut is a glad duty to be inadequately
perfo rned. for human expression has
not yet found the way to voice in
language the deeper and finer senti-
ments of our natures. Perhaps you can
Gain some slight conception of the real
joy with which we hail your home
coming when l tell you that you occupy
the most unique position ever guaran-
teed TO man in arms in all the worlds
history.
"Unnumbered and unremembered
conouerors have returned from for
eign lands bearing, chained to their
chariot wheels, the writhing human
evidences of conquest and supremacy
over alien people To you it has been
vouchsafed to lead the greatest cxpe-
ditionary forces of all time through
perils at sea-perils of land and perils
of air--to the ultimate accomplish
ment of your country's purpose and
in meekness and humility of spirit,
saying to the great American people
that as the Nazarene died to make men
holy, so their sons have died to make
men free.
Pershing's Voice Trembles.
"You, their surviving commander,
come back 10 us with no evidence Of
loot and conquest, but with the tri-
umphs of the soul and spirit of lib
ertN and law. to assure US that the
cause in which they have died was a
sacred cause; that the motives which
moved them did not pass away with
thCii CNPi1 iiiS DltdtH, ana lIdC tn6
only pride and glory Of this now sue
cessfully terminated contest is the
only pride and glory of Republic
whose sons were willing to die for the
common good of our common human
ity:,
'In the name of my countrymen and
my President, I salute you. Hail the
patriot, farewell to the conqueror and
yet again hail"
General Pershing answered in a
voice that trembled with emotion as
he spoke.
"I thank you for this welcome, which
fills me with great emotion" he said
The constant confidence in me which
the President has shown has been a
strength and has given me courage to
do in a better way all that my country
would have me do"
Pays Tribute to Women
He added that it was the high cour-
age, of the women of America that
had made possible victory, complete
and final
Preceded by Gathering cavalry
escort, General Pershing was taken to
his hotel by Mr.. Marshall in the latter's
automobile. A draped army car, flying
the generals four-starred banner, was
IN waiting, but the Vice President per-
sonally conducted the commander to
the motel that Is to be his temporary
homie in Washington. All along the
line the street crowds waved and
cheered. AT the hotel the streets were
blocked with people who remained for
hours after the general had dis
appeared within.
When the car drew up at the hotel
the two troops of the Sd Cavalry that
had. escorted it were lined up with
sabres at rigid present to the ranking
officer of the army in which they
serve; General Pershing inspected the
men before he went to his rooms.
Conference To-day