The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-26
ASK FRANCE TO
REVOKE RULING
War Department Seeks Pernlis-
sion to Remove Bodies of
Americans in War Zone.
icy George H. Mannins.)

Washington, Jan. 25.-The war de-
partment is hoping that the French
parliament will revoke, or at least
modify. the ministerial decree prohi-
biting the removal of the bodies of the
former American soldiers from the war
zone in France before the end of three
years.
The war department, through the
state department. has urged the re-
moval of this prohibition and has re-
ceived information that encourages the
hope that favorable action viii be
taken.
Following his introduction in the
senate a few days ago of the resolution
providing for the return of the bodies
of soldiers of the A. +. F. buried in
France as soon as possible when the
families want the body returned, SEN
ator Harris of Georgia wrote Major
General p c. Harris, adjutant general
of the army, asking for information
on the plans and steps the war depart
ment has taken in this matter. He
called attention to the fact that it
has been over year since the armis-
tice was signed and expressed the
hope that plans can be consummated
which will bring about the return
of all the bodies during this year
The reply OF Adjutant General Har
ris was as follows:
Authority has been obtained to re-
turn to the United States the remains
of air soldiers of the Expeditfonary
Forces buried in Great Britain and
Europe except France. with reference
to that country the minister of the in
terror advises that the council of min
listers has authorized the immediate
removal and shipment of bodies of
American soldiers in France outside
of the old zone of the armies, but pend
ing the grouping and Identification OF
bodies OF French dead the French gov
ernment has forbidden the removal of
the bodies of French soldiers from the
old zone of the armies, and conse-
quently it is obliged to delay the au-
theorization for the exhumation and re-
moval of American dead from the old
zone of the armies, 50 long as such
privilege cannot be extended to fami-
lies of French dead.
THE ministerial decree referred to
above specifics that this prohibition
will extend over a period of three years.
However. this department, through our
state department, has urged the re-
moval of this prohibition, or at least
Its material modification. Information
has been received that encourages us
to hope that the French parliament
may modify the ministerial decree to
permit removal of bodies of American
dead at an earlier date
Almost Immediately after the ar
nistice was signed, in November. 1913,
the work of removing the bodies from
hastily made graves on the battle
fields to carefully prepared cemeteries. |
was begun and is still under way. The |
department is actively engaged in |
preparations for the return |
70 the United States of the remains |
Of American soldiers as rapidly as /
possible. Parties are now at work in |
England and on the continent prepar- |
ng the bodies for shipment. Addition |
II personnel is being sent over as
lpidly as it can be collected and equip I
1ed. The bodies of over one hundred /
lead have already been returned from
Russia. The department hopes TO
nave shipment from England within
he next thirty days with others fol-
owing as rapidly as conditions will
,ermit- In this connection it might
le we'll to add that the department
will have advance information of all
hipments and will advise the nearest
# kin before the arrival of any ship
nent"