The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1919-10-20
de
Cemeteries OF
AMERICAN DEAD
Being REDUCED
Number Of Cemeteries Where Ameri'
can Dead Are Buried Are Being
Reduced to q Few.


from the September 81, 1919, number
OF the Army and Navy Register:
American cemeteries in Europe
have recently been reduced from near
" 2.40O to about 700. A large reduc-
ton in this number will probably be
made during the process of concen-
tration in which the military forces OF
England, France and the United states
are necessarily engaged.
The graves registration service has
placed most Of these cemeteries IN ex-
cellent condition, and is now actively
engaged in an effort to perfect the ap-
pearance of every one. Considerable
time will be necessary for the COM
pletion of this great task. The COM
manding general in France has recent
ly cabled to the War Department that
all reports Of the progress of the work
are favorable. Congress now has I'M
der consideration the first definite ap-
preparation for this purpose.
The matter of placing stone mark
ers on the graves of our dead in Eu-
rope is engaging the attention of the
auartermaster general, and the advice
Of the national fine arts commission Is
being sought with reference to fitting
designs and materials.
The chief of the graves registration
service, who is temporarily In this
country for consultation, has recently
brought a carload of mortuary papers
and records from France and has es-
tablished a graves registration divi-
sion in the office of the quartermaster
general In Washington, where these
records can be worked out to compile
ton for the use of families Of the dead.
No effort Is being spared to insure &C
curacy and to perfect such records
as require further investigation.
30 many inquiries have demanded
information as to the extent OF our
agreements with France in relation to
mortuary matters that the War De-
partment makes the following state
ment:
American compacts with the French
state provide:
l. That cemetery space for our
dead shall be allotted within French
territory without cost to the Ameri-
can Government or people, wherever
such space may be required. No al
lied army or nation may procure Gem
etery space in France by rental, pur-
chase rother method Of independent
action.
a. That bodies will be transferred
from temporary resting places in
French municipal cemeteries when
ever definite selection of American
cemeteries shall have been made by
an international commission and APP
proved by the ministry of war for as
signment to American use.
8. That concentration of bodies in
contiguous territory shall be made
wherever practicable now that active
hostilities are ended, and that no iso'
lateQ graves shall TeHidin III rIdhCc'
4. That such concentration shall be
made at points which are mutually ap.
proved by French and American au'
thorities, and that the work shall be
conducted IN accordance with French
sanitary and mortuary regulations
whose enforcement is committed t.
the etat civil
5. While the removal of allied deaC
from France to their homes has no
become the subject of internationa
agreement. such removal has been dis
approved by French authorities for
certain period of time by provisional
regulation which is based on sanitar!
y and economic grounds, and is pro
posed as a project of law now pend
ing to French chambers. This regu
lation delays removal for reasons Il
which the American Government mus
give due consideration, but no sugges
ton Of permanent prohibition ha
been made, and diplomatic efforts ar
being employed with a view to secur
ing some modification Of the wishes o
the French government