The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-09
GREAT TRIBUTE TO
GENERAL PERSHING


New York. Sept s.---General pershing
Is home.
The American soldier who contrib
uted as much ms any one man to the
success Of the allied arms arrived to-
day on the transport Leviathan and
was greeted by as many OF his fellow
countrymen as could make holiday to
crowd this city a. 1t has seldom II ever
before been crowded.
He was greeted by deafening shouts.
1ssuing from countless thousands OF
Threats and swelling 10 mighty and
contfnuouS roar of welcome.
The general was kissed by one girl
before he could sidestep that very per-
aonAi form OF hero worship. He
blocked an attempt ny another pretty
girl to plant = kiss upon his face.
hlushing beneath its tan. a. he svi.
IDENTIFY had no wish to be Richard p.
Hobsonixed But that the sincerity OF
the welcome vouchsafed by his coun-
trymen warmed the very cockies OF his
heart there was no room for doubt
The Statue OF Liberty certainly
looked good to me" declared tho COM
mander of the A. E. F.. after he reached
New York. Contrasting his departure
with his arrival. he said:
Il went away quietly and in thick
for. come back amidst scenes of
GuknuSldSH tftas NHa ebVs Sht az
pleasant weather"
rai. From the very naonsent-s when those
who went down the bay by boat and
aeroplane to extend the first greetings
decried General Pershing standing on
the Leyiathan's deck. the remarkable
demonstration continued. Flfpping his
military cap from his head, the COM
handing officer of Americas armies
waved il aioft In acknowledgement OF
the FIRST greetings 1t was very far
from a military salute but today GEN
aral Pershing was less n soldier than
4 regular fellow, an American among
Americans, the man whom a nation
was delighted to honor.
IA the general stepped from the
gangplank Of the Levithan at Ho-
boken at $50 A. NJ he stamped his
feet as il the pier itself fele like \
little bit OF the America he left more
than two years ago when he went to
France to help win the war.
Brief addresses of welcome were de-
livered in Hoboken by Secretary Of
War Baker, Senator Wadsworth and
Representative Mondell. Then. after
shaking hands with members of the
bodies who had gone to the Hoboken
army pier to meet him. the general
stepped aboard the police boat patrol
and WAS whisked over to the battery.
TUMULT REIGNa.
It was when General Perehing
stepped from the patrol at 1915 o'clock
that the most tumultous part of the
demonstration in his honor was started.
Practically all business had been sus-
pended In the financial district. it's
thousands Of workers abandoning their
tasks temporarily to wedge their way
into the crowds packed together like
sardines all about the Battery and far
up Broadway.
The ovation was continuous a. the
car bearing the general with difficulty
made Its way up Broadway to the city
hall. Individual messages were shout
"a and screamed ut Pershing. but most
~ they were lost In the mighty roar Of
welcome. Among those heard were
such expressions As Welcome home.
soldier" ''Oh. you Fershing." TN say
you're some soldier.' Alta boy. Jack"
Pershing smiled through II all. APP
nearing to enjoy every minute and
avery phase Of his welcome.
But At the city hall. when Governor
gmfth and Mayor Hyian congratulated
MIN In their addresses OF greeting a.
fhe commander Of Americas nghting
forces, the generals face sobered. The
smile left hts lips and his eyes grew
serious a. he replied orteny. modestiy
ignoring for the most part his own
PERFORMANCES, extoiling the splendid
Material his country had sent abroad
IA f,aht the battles OF civilization. and
wiying due more OF credit to the
Am erican peoples loyal support which
rendered possible the army's success
on the battieheids.
The shouts Of the crowds continued
nth only some abatement during the
velcoming ceremony At the city hall.
ana swelled to an even greater volume
~ Pershing stepped into an automobile
"a 70 to the Waldorf Astoria. where he
n making his headquarters. All the
vav 10 the hotCk the commander Of
Americas victorious land forces smiled
Eupon thousands Of wildly shouting men.
WcYnen, boys and girls. And even In
Sfne hotel itself the noisy enthusiasm
"a fhS welcome was continued. crowds
fCoptinpsd a Pass TwDl