New-York tribune., 1920-01-29
Visiting Our Graves
Advice to Americans Bound
for Cemeteries in France
10 the Editor Of The Tribune.


To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The number of Americans coming
20 france to visit the American ceme-
teries IS gradually increasing from week
to week, and we are told that the spring
months will bring an immense influx
OF those coming on this sad mission. as
we'll as those who are eager to see the
battle areas and the devastated regions
of the north of France.
All the tourists naturally center In
Paris, and after getting installed in the
various hotels they begin to make in
qulrles as to how to reach specific
cemeteries, or how best to tour the bat
tlefelds.
The writer has been coming in close
contact with many of the Americans
who have arrived in Paris during the
last three months. The problems that
have confronted them are the same as
those that will confront all newcomers.
and it may save some worry and confu-
sion to have the mode of procedure
mapped out by one who knows thor
oughly the ground.
The first thing to do, after hotel reser-
vations have been made, is to go to
the Graves Reservation Bureau of the
United States Army, located at IL Rue
de Bossy d'Anglas. The address Of this
bureau may be changed at any time, as
the present building is quite unsuited
to the needs Of the army Offices located
therein, but due notice of a change of
address will be given out, and, no doubt.
posted at the present building. This Is.
then, the first place to seek-12 Rue
de Boissy d'Anglas. Here will be found
the official record Of the burial Of every
identified American soldier or member
OF any one OF the welfare organizations.
TO the inquirer will be given a COPY of
this record, telling the name of the ceme
terry, the number of the section, of the
plot and of the grave, so that once hav
ing found the cemetery, the location of
any particular grave is easily deter
mined.
The hardest part of all is the trip
from Paris to the town where the ceme-
terry is located. The round trip from
Paris to several of the cemeteries can
easily be made in one day, but many of the
five hundred and more places where our
soldiers are buried are in small and re-
mote towns, having very limited train
service, or even none at all. Then train
connections must be looked up, a place
secured in which one may spend the
night, and a way found, if possible. to
get transportation from the nearest
railroad station to the cemetery in oues-
ton.
The information bureau in the Graves
Registration Office has taken great
pains to collect all possible information
along these lines, and the Red Cross
has also opened an information bureau.
which handks similar material. Train
schedules, names of hotels or private
houses, and means of transportation will
be willingly furnished to each inquirer
Many prefer to make the shorter
trips by auto from Paris. The regular
tourist agencies will furnish convey
ancc. Thomas Cook & Son and the
American Express Company are we'll
known agencies. In addition to these
there are many individuals, especially
demobilized soldiers, who are going into
the tourist business; they know wei,
the territory, speak both English and
French, and will make fixed pricc for
each trip. There are several of these
men who have already placed their cards
in both of tho information offices. and
are eager to obtain tho patronage of
Americans.
In fow Of the larger cemeteries
small rest houses have been erected, and
tnefe Is bus service, maintained by
J tho Rcd Cross. In about twelve Of the