The sun., 1919-09-13
CAPITAL CHEERS
PERSHING Justify
Washington Drops Wonted
Blase Attitude and Ac-
claims General.
MARSHALL MEETS HIM
Commander Says Army Owes
Most to Prayers Of Amer
ica's Women.
MARSHALL MEETS HIM
Special pe.sssen 20 rHr sus.

shing, commander-in-chief OF the great
est army that. ever fought under the
flag of the Republic, came to Washing
ton to-day to report to the War Depart
ment how Germany was crushed and the
part America played In the great war
machine that did It
This report is going to be some time
IN preparation. The General will report
Informally to the War Department to-
morrow, however.
When he was sighted in the Union
Station Cen Pershing was given a spon-
tsneous welcome such as Is seldom seen
here. The washington public. generally
callous to degree to the comings and
goinRs Of great and notable men, broke
away from custom to-day and shouted
and cheered the leader of the A e. #.
through the streets to his hotel Not
only did a tremendous crowd greet the
General at the station but the path of
his machine to his hotel was lined with
enthusiastic admirers, hundreds OF them
running along behind his automobile,
trying vainly to keep pace with It
March Greets Him briefly.
Secretary Of War Baker. who. with
the President IL the Generals only mill
tary superior now, accompanied Gen.
Pershing here. Gen. Peyton g. March,
until lately Pershing's one superior OIL
Ger in the military establishment. but
who failed to be made a permanent
General at the time the rank was con-
ferred by Congress on Gen. Pershing,
greeted the A. E. F. leader with a smile
at the Shoreham Hotel, but left immed-
lately thereafter
Newspaper men claimed Gen. PERISH
ing's attention first at the hotel. He
asked to be presented to each man and
asked the papers each represented. When
St Louis was reached he commented,
THAT is close TO home"
The General would not answer every
question. AS In New York he frankly
begged to be excused from answering
some. But he showed no irritation,
even when it was asked what he would
do II asked to lead an expedition into
Mexico He answered quickly: IT am
ready at any time to do anything that
my Government wants me to do"
II was recalled that to-day Is the an
niversary of the Inauguration of the
battle which resulted in wiping out the
ST. Mihiel salient.
To-day is a much different day than
q year ago. said the General.
The General admitted that he had
kept a diary all through the war. He
las asked II he contemplated writing
book. and said that he might entertain
any bids" made.
The General declared thar he wanted
TO take a rest, and that he fully in
tended to do so.
'T am planning to get away after the
ceremonies here" he said. you know
We have the parade the 18th and the
Congressional ceremonies the 18th"
Wouldn't you like TO put on overalls
and go fish ~" he was asked
IT would be glad TO go without any,
thing" he answered quickly. II would
Ike everybody to forget everything ex-
eept that l was a Missouri boy and go
back home and be as free as was then.
I must have a rest 1 have not had a
day off since six months before 1 went
into Mexico. The last time 1 was in
my home town was in 1904. and only
stopped off; was a Captain then"
Explains Sam Browne Belts.
TIE General said he had sent Warren
to the public school at Lincoln, Neb.
THIN the perplexing question of the
Sam Browne belts was brought up, and
explained.
The idea Isl said the General, ito
have all the First Division and the
composite regiment appear as they were
in France, with everything complete.
We will wear them until the Washington
ceremonies are over at least"
Arhy regulations will govern the Of
fcers after that, he declared. He said
that soon he would have an Office here
and again establish his stan an COM
mander OF the A. z. r.
There lie lots to handle stiil; lots OF
matters to wind up" he commented.
The reception given to the General
at the station was a rousing one. The
huge concourse was tammed with thou
sands OF frantic men, women and chill
dren, shouting and screaming their well
come, while locomotive whistles added
tremendously to the noisy welcome
Hundreds OF girls from the War De-
partment dressed in red, white and blue
tormed the lane through which Gen.
Pershing walked. Preceded by Score
tary Baker and Gen. March, he made his
way to the Presidents waiting room
where Vice-President Marshall received
him and made a brief address of well
come. Representatives Champ Clark
and the balance of the Missouri dele
cation in Congress next welcomed the
General. Then a hush fell and all eyes
turned expectantly toward Gen. Per-
shing. After a moment or two he said:
Mr.. Vice-President, this Is indeed a
welcome which fills me with emotion
impossible to express. 1 thank you for
what you have said as representing the
President, whose constant confidence In
me has been strength that has given
me courage to do in a better way all
that my country has wished me to do.
IF 1t had not been reserved for the
splendid spirit of America which en-
abled America without thought OF gain
unselfshly to fight for principles which
we have inherited from our forefathers
am sure that We could not have re-
turned to you with victory.
Owed Most 10 women's Prayers.
81 would especially thank the Ameri-
can people, but to the American women
who have watched ana prayed that we
might return to them victorious, we owe,
perchance, more than to any others.
81 thank you ana the body over which
you preside-both Houses OF Congress
and the Secretary OF War, for the
splendid support that has been ours from
the day upon which we sailed TO do this.
thank you again"
The General rode to his hotel with
the Vice-President. the Secretary of
~ N NJ