The sun., 1919-08-01
PERSHING TOMAKE
LAST RHINE TOUR
Reviews Composite Battalion
>and Receives Warm Greet :
ing From Crowd.
HE KISSES MANY BABIES
Saws He Will Advise That
American Dead Remain
in France.

PARIS, July 31.--Prior to his departure
tonight for Coblenz, where tomorrow
he is to begin his ''valedictory'' tour of
German occupied territory. first visiting
the American troops and then the French
and British zones, Gen. Pershing this
afternoon received the American news
paper correspondents in his Paris home.
Gen. Pershing talked on various sub
jects-the American dead buried In
France, against the removal OF which ne
said he would advise; the preparations
that are being made for the American
troops to Leave France, and concerning
the release of the as, 900 German prison.
ers held by the American Army.
Crowds Cheer Troops.
After his reception Of the correspond
ents Gen. Pershing reviewed the famous
American composite battalion, which rep
resented the American Expeditionary
Force In Paris in the Bastile Day pa
rade and in London at the Victory Day
celebration. The review, which proba-
bly, will prove the last official American
military ceremony in France. took place
on the famous parade ground In the Bois
de Vincennes. Large crowds viewed the
evolutions and accorded the troops
hearty reception.
Gen. Pershings trip tomorrow. which
will be made by automobile. will carry
him over the entire western battle front
from Belfort, near the Swiss porder'
to Newport, on the Belgian coast.
In declaring that he did not favor
the removal of the American dead bur-
led In France, Gen. Pershing said he
was arranging for conference with
American artists with a view to making
plans for the Identification OF perna-
nent cemeteries and the erection OF
monuments to the American soldiers
The comma nder- in-chief spoke with some
emphasis, saying he felt that as the
men had fought and died In France
they should lie in France. He said he
believed the French felt the same as
he did, and that the presence OF the
American dead in their soil would al
ways be a reminder of how the two ma
tions had fought together. He added.
that each year there would be official
representation at Memorial Day celebra-
lions.
Gen. Pershing said the task OF as
semhling the American dead in national
cemeteries was progressing rapidly and
satisfactorily Notwithstanding the great
difficulties encountered.
Permanent Care Assured.
The permanency 81 the American
cemeteries was absolutely assured he as
serted. general scheme for their
Identification, devised by an artists
commission. would be submitted to the
War Department and probably a special
commission would be created to take
over the work Of caring for the graves,
maintenance of the burial grounds and
the upkeep OF monuments.
With regard to preparations for leav-
ing France, Gen. Pershing said the SER
vice of supply was rapidly cleaning up
everywhere, and could be ready on ten
days notice to, turn everything over to
the French. OF the American forces
remaining in France, Gen. Pershing said
about 325 officers, largely reserves, were
on duty with the Hoover Commission.
engaged In relief work Most of these
officers would remain in civilian capac-
tiles when demobilized.
1t was his opinion, Gen. Pershing de-
clared, that the $4,000 German prison.
ers held by the American Army might
be released as soon as the German
peace treaty is ratified by three of the
great Powers. He did not believe IL
would be necessary to await ratifca-
ton of the treaty by the United States
Senate.
Gen. Pershing spoke feelingly OF his
given the American contingent both In
the Paris and London parades and like
wise of his personal reception in Eng
land.
The General talked on the terrace Of
his residence, overlooking one OF the
most beautiful gardens in Paris, where
afterward he was photographed with the
group of newspaper men. many of whom
formerly were accredited correspondents
with the American Expeditionary Force.
To these men Gen. Pershing recalled his
conferences with them during the great
actions on the Marine, st. Mihiel and
Argonne sectors
Crowds Surround General.
For the review this afternoon in. the
Bots de Vincennes great crowds had
gathered. although no official notice that
the review would be held had been pub
lished. The spectators cheered the splen-
did battalion Of picked men as It swung
by in full marching equipment with the
clock-like precision that has made them
famous in Paris and London.
Hugh c. Wallace. the American Am
hassador. stood at Gen., Pershing's right