Arizona republican., 1920-05-30
RETURN IF J. {.
 HERO DEAD TO
 START SEPT. 15
Arrangements Completed for Removal of Bodies from French Soil - Gov ernment Will "TenderIy" Care for Bodies Remain ing "Over There''
ERepubIican A. p. Leased wIrel


 WASHINGTON. May 29-Under an government the return of the Ameri- can soldier dead from the military zone in France will begin after Sept F.
 Ralph Hayes, assistant to Secretary Baker, recently returned from a mis- sion to France to complete arrange ments. has reported that French op- Jections finally were waived in April removals to be limited to those bodies for the return of which relatives had specifically asked.
 Many Want Bodies Returned
 Mir. Hayes reaffirms the policy of the war department to defer to wishes of relatives completely Returns from inquiries sent out, show that 59 per cent of those who replied asked that the bodies be brought home. Those which remain in France will be Tit tingly and tenderIy' cared for by the government in fields of honor pur- chased for that purpose. The report deals at length with arrangements Tor acquisition, location and preparation of these.
 The report refers to charges that the motive behind the proposal for re- turn of the soldier dead was the propaganda of the Undertakers and coffin makers" and the further charges that activating the movement to keep
  the French to make their presence a source of constant and substantial Ti- nancial revenue"
 Specific and sufficient data" says the report, ''has not yet been addueed to indicate that either fear is borne out in fact" It adds that while some undertakers conducted movement for the return of the bodies they were re- pudiated sby the recognized assocla- tion of reputable funeral directors" and that it is not true that there exists now in France any general prevalent effort to capitalize, financially. Amer ican burial places.
 No Segregation By Rank
 Mir. Hayes recommended that Ahe permanent Fields of Honor be loca ted at Romagne, Belleau and Suresnes ffn France, the dead to sleep there wAh- out Segregation into distinctive loca- tions on the basis of rank Head stones and markers should be uniform and erected by the government on ad- vice of a' war memorials council to be composed of representatives of all fn- terested veteran and other organiza- tions. Arrangements should be made he reported, for erection of hosts houses to accommodate relatives of the dead who visit the plots.
 Describing his visit to all the points where American dead now lie fu France, MT. Hayes said he saw many touching evidences of the care individ- ual French citizens and small com munities were betsowing on the graves.
 Fear Effect On French Morale
 Objections of the French authorities to waiving the rigid regulations in force against removal of any of the dead of whatever nationality from the military zone, were based on practical reasons. MT. Hayes reported. These in cluded unwillingness to discriminate between Americans and the dead Of other nationalities, more numerous ana much more difficult of Identification; fear of the effect upon an already "badly strained civilian morale" move ment of long funeral trains wouIo have; uncertainty as to the hygenic effect so great an undertaking in- wolves: shortage of railway equipment and the already congested condition of railroads in the military zone due to reconstruction activities.
 Under the agreement reached, MT. Hayes reported the American govern ment assumes responsibility for ade- quate sanitary precautions to be ap- proved by the French authorities ana for making minimum demaTds on rail equipment, not over 100 cars for the purpose to be used at any one time. These and other rolling stock and ter ninal facilities will be used on a rental basis.