The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-23
war Depsr-en. VIII Fellow WISHES
Of the Families Of the Solcisrs
Who Fen IN
France
OVER HALF TO BE MOVED
Three Fields cf Eenor VIII Hold the
Dead wFrhogt Distinction as
70 Rank CT
Honor.

WASHINGTON June ss.-Under an
agreement reached WITH the French
government the return % the Ans-i-
can soldier dead from the military
zone in France viii begin after Sep
tsmbsr Is.
Ralph Hayes, assistant - Secre
tary Baker, recently returned from a
mission 10 France 10 complete ar
Judgements, has reported that French
objections finally were waived IN
APRIL. -enoTals 10 be Limited TO those
bodies for the return Of which -ela-
tiTes had specifically asked
M Hayes reaGrms the policy OF
the war department 10 defer 10 wishes
Of relatives completely Returns from
inquiries sent ont show that hft!nIne
per cent Of those who replied asked
that the bodies be Brought home
Those which remain IN France viii be
.1httingiy and tsade-iy" cared for By
the government II fields Of Honor
purchased for that purpose The re-
port deals al length with arrange
nents for acquisition, location and
PREPARATION Of these.
The report refers 10 charges that
the motive behind the proposal for
return Of the soldier dead was the
3rorayznda Of the underakers and
COIN markers and the further charg-
Sc that actiTatioo Of the movement
70 keep the bodies abroad vas Athe
hope Of the French TO make their
presence a source Of constant and sub
stau-ial financial Tessuge.
Specific and sufficient data" says
the report, has not yet been adduced
10 indicate that either Is borne out
in fact" II adds that while some IN
derake-s conducted movement for
the return Of the bodies they were
-epudsated tby the recognized asso-
CATION OF reputable funeral directors
and that 1t is not tue that there
exists now In France any generally
prevalent effort 10 capitalize dnau-
cially. American burial places
Fields Of Honor.
NJ. Hayes recommended that the
permanent Fields Of Honor be 10
Gated al gonagus, BaIlsau and Sur
esnes in France, the dead 10 sleep
-hers without -segration into distinc-
i've locations On the basis Of rank
Head stones and markers should De
Uniform and erected by the govern
nguc On advice Of q war memorials
council 70 be composed Of representa-
tires Of all interested veterans and
,the- organizations. Arrangements
should be made similarly, he reported
Tor erection Of hostess houses to &C.
relatives Of the dead who
visit the paots-
Describing his visit TO al the points
where American dead now lie IN
France, Mr.. Hayes said he saw many
touching evidences Of the care indf-
rfdusl French citizens and small COM
were bestowins on the
graves
French Objections Overcome
Objections Of the French author
lies 10 waving the rigid regulations
ia force against removal Of any OF
he dead Of Whatever nationality from
he military zone were based On prac-
-ical reasons, M Hayes reported
These included unwillingness 10 dis
Tin mate between Americans and the
lead Of other nationalities, more nu-
Ue-ons and much more difficult OF
dentifcztion, fear Of the effect upon
N already Sadly strained civilian
morale" movement of long funeral
rafnz would have; uncertainty as TO
he hyrenic effect 90 great an I'M
fe-ak5ng involved; shortage of rail- /
way equipment and the already con-
rested condition OF railroads in the
zone due 70 reconstruction
.ctiv5tSes.
Under the agreement reached, Mt. !
Hayes reported, the American gov
,-nuent assumes responsibility Tor ad- ]
,quaae sanitary precautions, to be ap- +!
,roTed by the French Authorities and |
or making minimum demands on rail /
not over 100 cars for the /
,urpose 70 be in Use al any one time. /
-hese and other rolling stock and /
criminal facilities will be used ON I
entail basis. /