Arizona republican., 1919-09-10
PERSH|NC TELLS. CHILDREN THEY
 HELPED TO MIN GREAT CONFLICT
Thousands of Riddles In Assemblage Which Does Honor to Great General During New York Visit.
fR.nubIican A. p. Leased wireI

NEW YORK, Sept. 9.-Standing be- fore a veritable forest of American flags held in the hands of more than 2 coo school children packed into the sheen meadow in Central Park this afternoon, General Pershing personally thanked them for their patriotism dur ing the war.
 '.The patriotism of the children of America" he said, -.has been an in sp;ration not only to the grownups but to the boys who carried the rifle at the front"
 The children, representing the public schools of the city had waited in the park for nearly three hours to get a glimpse of the commander in chief. When his car came into view, the chorus of cheers rose so high that it seemed to sweep through the park and be echoed back by the tall build ings.
 The ceremony itself was brief. It opened with a salute to the flag" led by boy scouts and recited by the chil- drcn. This was followed by the sing ing of the national anthem after which General Pershing was introduced. The commander was visibly affected by the greetings as were his two sisters, who occupied seats on the platform and whose eyes were wet with tears.
 After gazing in silence over the crowd for nel.rly two minutes, the gen. eral said:
 Children an inspiration
 School children of the city of New York: It gives me extreme pleasure to be here this afternoon for few moments ard U witness tnss patrforc ceremony.
 .5t is upon you we must depend in the future to defend the principles of our forefathers, to defend the princi- pies we all love so well. I feel sure you understand the principles for hich the war was fought and that you join with me in congratulating America on it's victorious conclusion.
 I'm sure the patriotism of the chil- dren of the America has been an in- spiration, not only to the grown ups but to the boys who carried the rifles at the front. I thank you for this great lesson in patriotism and wish that every one who served in Europe could see it as I have seen it. After the ceremony hundreds of children broke through the police lines in an effort to shake the generals s hand. Several were successful. Po- Ecemen with outstretched hands and legs tried to stem the tide of crowding youngsters but several enterprising young lads crawled through the police mems legs and rushed for the gen erals automobile. The warmth of the generals reception seemed to increased as his visit lengthens. The crowds in front of his hotel have become SC numerous that a large detail of po- l licemen is needed to keep traffic nov ing and to permit the official cars tc pass to and fro.
 Gets Many Invitations It became known today that Genera Pershing is being swamped with in- vitations 10 visit cities all over the country but thus far Philadelphia and Washington are only places that he has definitely decided to visit in the east The general leaves for Washington
 Friday morning, stopping in Phila- of that city. He will parade with the | first division in Washington. After the exercises in the sheer meadow the general was presented with an American flag by a school girl l As he received the gift he bowed gracefully and pressed the nationa colors to his lips.
 A delegation of 25 Alsace -Lorrainers led by Maurice Casenave, minister plenipotentiary for France. called al the Waldorf to pay their respects tS General Pershing and to express thu
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