The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-04
UNKNOWN SOLDIER
WILL Be SELECTED
BY NON-COM OCT. "a

PARIS. Oct. 4-Americas "un-
known soldier who will find honored
sepulchre in the national cemetery at
Arlington, Va. will be selected by a
non-commissioned officer from the
American forces on the Rhine, at
Chalons-Sur-Marne on the morning of
Oct. "a. The body will leave Hayre
late on the evening of Oct. 26, on
board the United States cruiser,
Olympia.
Complete arrangements have been
made for the removal of the body u
the unknown American to the United
States, it was announced by General
Henry T. Allen. commander of Ameri-
can forces in Germany, here today.
At the request of the American
government elaborate plans formulat-
ed by the French government for re-
ceiving the body in Paris, have been
abandoned. 1t will be sent direct to
Havre from Chalons-Sur-M -Marne, and
the only formal ceremonies will take
place Just before it is placed on board
the Olympia.
To Attend Ceremonies
Minister of War Barthou, several
French generals, General Allen and
other French and American officers
will go to Havre to attend these cere-
monies. A French general, who is as
yet not named. will pin the cross OF
the Legion of Honor to the casket.
NJ. Barthou informed General Allen
Yesterday that Marshal Foch would
decorate the unknown soldier with the
French military medal and the war
cross at Arlington cemetery on Nov.
IL, when the body will be buried
General Allen has taken the most
complete precautions to insure the
selection of a body which is impos-
sible of identification. The bodies OF
four unidentified soldiers, one from
each of the four prominent American
cemeteries in France, will be as
sembled near the railroad station at
Chalons-S Sur Marne. They will be I'M
identified men who fell in the Ameri-
can fighting areas, so that it will be
certain to be an active service man
who is selected.
Will Select Escort
One non-commissioned officer from
each unit of the American forces in
Germany will act as escort, the num-
Der not exceeding "a and six American
privates will be pallbearers. A non
commissioned officer selected by Gen
! Allen will then be ordered to place
his hand on one of the four coffins
| The one chosen will Immediately be
| taken to Havre on special train ac-
! companied by guard of honor pail.
bearers, General Allen and delega
! tion representing the Paris post of the
! American Legion. The remaining three
/ bodies will be buried in the Romagne
! cemetery
! General Allen said today he wanted
! the American people to know that
every precaution was being taken that
i the body of the American soldier, Sc
| lected was beyond all possibility oi
! Identification, and that the people o1
| the United States were assured that
the body was that of an American who
died fighting.
Navy to Take Charge
| After the ceremony at Havre, the
body will be placed in the keeping o.
!! the American navy, which will deliver
it to the American army at New York
The date of the Olympia's arrival a
New York is uncertain, but will prob
ably be Nov. 4 or s.
The decision of the Washington
; authorities not to have any ceremon!
take place at Paris was reached out o
consideration for the French govern
ment. The American government tool
the view that it would too closely fol
: low last Sundays ceremony in Paris
when General Pershing presented thu
medal Of honor voted by congress t
:, Frances unknown soldier, again in
i, volving elaborate preparations b.
, France This point of view was read
lily accepted by the French and it wa
agreed that the only ceremony woult
, be at Havre.