The New York herald., 1921-11-09
U.S. UNKNOWN HERO'S
BODY LANDS TO-DAY
Famous Old Olympia, Re-
turning Many Salutes,
Nears Washington.
SERVICES IN CAPITOL
Coffin Will Be on View To-
morrow-City Is Filling
With Visitors.
Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Nov. 8.

Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Nov. 3.
The famous old cruiser Olympia is
making her way slowly up the Poto-
mac tonight to Washington bearing
the body of the Unknown Soldier who
will be buried in Arlington Cemetery
on Friday with all the honors the ma
ton is able to give to one of it's war
riors who died on the field of battle.
Close behind the Olympia is the de-
stroyer Bernadou, which is steaming
silently along as an escort to the fu-
neral cruiser which almost a quarter
century ago won the applause of the
world as the flagship of Admiral
Dewey in the battle of Manila Bay At
Piney Point, which will be passed some
time tonight, is the dreadnought
North Dakota, ready to pay tribute to
the body that will typify the sacrifice
of the United States in the world war.
From the decks of the Olympia may
be seen on one side the rolling shore
of Maryland and on the other Vir-
ginia. Until nightfall it was possible
for the watch officers to see silent
groups of citizens of these two States
assembled on the river banks in SIM
pie tribute to the Unknown Soldiers as
the cruiser passed. 1t is expected that
those who live along the upper river
will DO the same tomorrow, for the
greater part of the day will be occu-
pied in negotiating the shallow chan
mel to Washington.
What will be an almost ceaseless
round Of saluting will begin tomorrow
when the Olympia passes Fort Washing
ton, which is set in the Maryland hills
almost opposite Mount Vernon. A trib-
ute will be paid when the Olympia
passes the estate of the Father of His
Country. Taps will be sounded and the
sailors will stand at attention until at a
turn in the river the home of Washing
ton is cut out OF view.
Navy Department officials after an ex-
change of communications with the
Olympia said the original programme
calling for the vessel to dock at 4
o'clock tomorrow afternoon would be
carried out Orders were issued that as
the cruiser approaches the landing sa-
Lutte of twenty-one guns should be fired.
This Is TO he returned by the Olympia
when the body bearers from the cruiser
takes the body ashore and places it In
the hands of a picked company of engi-
neers from Camp Humphreys, the COM
pany that in a general way will be the
honor guard during the preliminary SER
vices planned for the unknown hero.
1t is intended that as soon as the
body is brought ashore it will be trans
ported by a motor hearse with an escort
to the rotunda of the United States Cap
itol, where 1t will lie in state during the
two nights and a day before the actual
funeral services. Nobody will be al
lowed to view the coffin on Wednesday
night, but the doors will be opened to
the public at o'clock Thursday for a
series of services that will occupy the
time UP to 10 o'clock at night.
Gen. Pershng let it be known to-day
that he intended to march all the way
from the Capitol to Arlington Cemetery,
where the body Is to be laid to rest. 1t
had been intended originally that Pres
ident Harding. Cabinet members, Gen.
Pershing and other distinguished mourn
ers would start out with the funeral
procession from the Capitol. but would
drop out of the line after passing the
White House.
The distance from the Capitol to the
Arlington Cemetery is fully seven miles,
distance regarded as too great for
public men upaccustored to long
marches. According to the plans devel-
oped by the officers in charge of the
programme they were &c cover the
greater part of the distance by auto
mobile. rejoining the procession at the
entrance of the cemetery.
Gen. Pershing put his foot down on
my such things. insisting that he be
permitted to march the entire distance.
He feels that having served as Com
nander in Chief of the A. Il. +. In
France he cannot shirk even in the
slightest degree cry opportunity of pay
ing tribute to one of those who died on
,he battlefield. IT may be that other
distinguished mourners will follow the
lead of Gen. Pershing In disregarding the
1et programme.
Washington began filling up tonight
with visitors for the funeral of the
Unknown Soldier. 1t Is expected that
many more will arrive tomorrow and
Thursday.
Friday. Armistice Day, is to be a legal
holiday throughout Washington. which
means that approximately $4,000 Gov
ernment clerks will be out OF office for
the service.