Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-14
PERSH|NC REPORTS
HIS Job COMPLETE
Returns to War Department With
His Mission to Europe
Accomplished.
CHEERING CROWDS GREET HIM
On Fifty-Ninth Birthday Ameri-
can Commander Arrives at
Washington Headquarters.
CHEERING CROWDS GREET HIM
tBy Associated Press


"ASH!NGTON. Sept. i3.-Almost
hsht!nS his way through hundreds Of
admirers gathered at the War Depart
'nent General Pe-shing officially re-
ported to Secretary Baker today his
return from France with his mission
victory over acknowledgements
The cheering crowd had waited long
10 see the man who led the American
armies in their greatest struggle and
would not be denied. BY actua! phys.-
ca! effort, aided by two o. his STAFF
ofnceFS and finally BY guards OF the
nu Iding General pershinG got through
INTO inc Sccreiary's room.
the final step vas the most difficult
Women and girls, clerks of the depart
fnent., shriIly CRYING Their greetings,
closed in about The general and his
aids a. the door. He was for severa
minutes unable 10 force his way
through. Finally the Waterman caugh,
MN py the arm and really hauled him
out OF the clutch OF the crowd. The
general got through almost like a foot
pail player, and he breathcG a sigh
OF relief.
No Ceremonies of Greeting
There were no ceremonies attending
General persh.ngs reception AZ the
War Department He came as any
other high oihccr comes 20 report and
II was only the enthusiasm OF the
crowds who cheercd and waved him
along on the way from his hote that
marked an unusual event.
When Genera rershing quietly and
on May p. 1917, to go TO France. he
expected that the maximum strength
OF me army 10 ne under his command
would be 800, 600 men =
AS late AS Angus; or September OF
1919, the ma ximun monthly troop
movements 20 France believed possible,
was $4,000 men. Yet General P.rshing
returned today to report formally the
disposition he had made Of more than
2.ooo.oe0 men sent TO him at rate
that exceeded 100000 men a month
when the movement was at its height.
Hours before General Pcrshings call
on Secretary Baker. there was a mo-
Utilization OF spectators IN front OF
Mr.. Bakers Office.
Receives Many Invitations.
The general had no engagements
away from - hote! Before ne called
on the secretary. but saw several mem
bcrs OF Congress and others who
called 10 present Invitations from cities
and towns cage! TO receive him. After
his conference with Mr.. Baker, Cen
'eral l,ersh.nss program was 70 go 10
his offices mere in the Old Land Office
IN WASHINGTON of the American eN-
pedi;!onary forces.
TINS w .,.a. Genera rsrSh,nss ~
tem5e~ -. 1850 when the war clouds
OF the struggle between the States
were about TO break and when the
De heard in the Missouri town where
h. was born.
From tina, day hi, life's history has
been filled with the things o! war.
General Perish .ng dined tonight with
his tather-in-law Senator Warren, o.
Wyoming. /; was a private dinner,
with only few guests.
Attends Track Meet.
General Pershing's conference with
MIR. Baker was merely an official cali
II was brief. hut later he joined Mr.
Baker a. an interdepar;mcntal track
meet.
From the stadium. General Pcrshing
went 10 the ball park where General
March awaited him and hundreds of
men from the First Division stood at
salute as he entered the box.
No ceremonies have been planned for
General PershinG tomorrow or until
the parade next WcdneS day There
was some comment today over the fact
that the general wore no decorations
other than the ribbon OF the Distin-
guishcd Service Cross. or the pre-
scribed chcvrons on his sleeves. An
explanation was quickly forthcoming
at the department. While it is orders
that officers from overseas wear all the
prescribed trappings. General Pcrshing.
because OF his rank. is not subject to
such regulations AS general in the
regular establishment. he may pre-
scribe his own uniform and insignia
and wear such as he may please of
his decor atoms.