New-York tribune., 1921-10-10
Explanation Given That
British Delay in Fixing
Date Leaves Too Little
lime Before Departure
Neglect in London
Puzzles Officials
American Inquiry Sent in
August Still Unanswer-
ed by That Government

PARIS, Oct. (By The Associated
Fress).-General Pershing will not go
to London to lay the Congressional
Medal on the tomb OF the British un-
known soldier in Westminster Abbey.
and II the ceremony is held another
American officer will be designated to
represent the United States. This an
nouncement came tonight from most
authoritative source.
Lack Of time available fer the triD
between now and October 20, When
General Pershing sails for home. il
the official explanation for his decision
TO abandon his visit to England. 1t is
learned, however, that failure Of the
British War Office either TO fix q date
TOT N" ceremony or 1T least TO give
any explanation for not replying to
| repeated Inquiries from the American
Embassy officials, is the chief reason
for General Pershing's decision.
Britain Failed to Reply
General Pershing came to Europe 10
lay The Congressional Medal on the
tonlbs OF the French and British IN
known soldiers. The Washington gov
ernment 80 informed the British gov
ernment early in August, and again
when he sailed. So TAR as can be
learned no anawer was received to
either communication, which asked
that q date be fixed for the ceremony
( and that the General be informed
Since his arrival III Paris further in
quiries have been made at the British
! Foreign Office through the medium OF
the American embassies in London and
Paris. One of these inquiries developed
the explanation that such ceremonies
usually took long time TO arrange.
The specially trained battalion from
the American forces on the Rhine,
which acted as P guard OF honor AZ
the Paris ceremony and was to have
proceeded 90 London, returned TO Cob
after having been held a week in Paris
awaiting word from the British For
eign Office.
British Action Embarrassing
II is known that American oficials
in Paris, as we'll as General Pershing
and his party, have been mystified by
end the matter has caused much en-
berrassment TO the General. He has
been bcsleged with invitations 80 din
ners and official functions, and the un-
certainty of the London arrangements
made it difficult TO reply 30 many Of
these.
Some Of the military men have ad-
vanced the explanation that the rule
permitting British officers and men to
accept foreign decorations might be the
cause of the situation. They further
suggested thac the British might want
TO arrange to confer a decoration SINH
lar in Importance on Americas un-
known soldier before accepting the
Congressional medal.
Precedents Not Involved
On the other hand, II is pointed out
that the fact that the medal was con-
ferred by an act Of Congress on behalf
Of the American people should place
the decoration III n special category,
where ordinary rules and precedents
would not apply
American officials in Paris are much
concerned over the matter, and fears
are expressed that an unfriendly inter
probation may be placed on the Incl
dent unless full explanation is made
of the delay and the ceremony held as
soon as it can be arranged.
General Pershing would not comment
on the subject to-day.