The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-01
French War Chief Given His
Biggest L. S. Ovation.
With Pershing Furnished Great
Moment for Convention.
TO new ORLEANS IN 1922
OkIahOman Now Leading in Ma
tiOnaI Commander Race.
French War Chief Pays High
Tribute to Yanks' Service.

Kansas City, Mo, Nov. Marshal
Foch, most distinguished of guests
attending the American Legion con-
Vention, received his greatest Ameri-
can welcome this afternoon.
Riding with the world war chief
tains at the head of over $4,000 legion
naires. he was cheered by countless
thousands along a seven mile route.
The parade was the most gigantic in
the history Of the city, tide of khaki
clad men which surged thru the
streets to the crashing music of nearly
a hundred bands and drum corps.
In the front ranks of the process
sion, marched the congressional medal
of honor heroes.
Kansas City Takes Holiday.
Following them came the dis
tinguished visitors, Marshal Foch,
Cen Diaz, Gen. Jacques, Admiral
Beatty, Gen. Pershing, Admiral Rod
man. and a host of others with thelr
aid es and escorts.
Disa ble1 war veterans were next IN
the line of march, Marshal Foch and
the distinguished guests entered
spacious reviewing stand, and review
ed the parade of former service men.
In honor of the parade, a holiday
had been declared in the city and 1t
was estimated GnaI 4UusVUu pcASOil9
crowded the line of march and took
part in the demonstration.
Kansas City. Mo. Nov. Brig.
Con. Roy Hoffman of Oklahoma CITY,
Okla was steadily gaining in strength
this afternoon among the candidates
for national commander OF the Amerl-
can Legion. Many of the delegates
predicted that General Hoffman would
be elected when the ba1loting begins
7-r1fr ,rgFS
The great moment of the American
LEGION convention came this morning
when Marshal Ferdinand Foch OF
France. and General John J. Pershing,
standing side by side. faced the as
sembled hosts of legionnaires-
1t WIS the climax of the convention,
Foch the commander-in-chief of the
allied armies on his first visit to
America, and Pershing, the American
ommander-in- chief greeting the
Lesion reprcsentatives of the Ameri-
can fighting men.
Foch looked out upon the men who
came to strengthen and hearten the
tired and worn allies. Pershlng saw
in the sea of upturned faces, his own
fighting heroes who followed the flag
Of the red. white and blue.
Eoth were proud. Both lad been
General figures in many great demon
strations before armed hosts, but
neither had ever been more impressed
than with this welcome in the time of
The presentations followed a SYM
bolicaI ceremony signifying the friend
ship between the two countries
Sang for Foch.
In honor of Foch, La Marseillaise"
was sung and every hearer was thrill
ed Then came the Star Spangied
Banner inspiring the vast assemblage
which packed Convention hall.
Delegates and alternates waved Amer
lean and French flags and wild
cheering rolled back and forth in
ceaseless applause.
Marshal Foch was the first to ad
dress the convention. His speech was
a glorious tribute to the triumph of
American arms on the side of the al
lies
Il cannot tell you" he began, "how
great is my satisfaction at finding
myself amongst you, valiant soldiers
of 1918, 20 live again our glorious
memories Three years ago, on the
first of November, 1918, the entire
American army in France took up
vigorously the pursuit of the defeated
enemy ana did not halt until the Ger
man surrender
..FIour of glory for the American
army. n proper euImination for a mill
itary effort. prodigious alike in its in
tensity as in its rapidity.
zone and all, you have had your
share II it. You may well be proud
Praised American Organization.
Marshal Foc.l then told of the splen-
did organization of the American
forces. the great system of transpor-
tation and the onstant stream of ma
terials and supplies.
"A prodigious effort on the part of
your entire nations intelligence, will
power and energy" he said, "a pro-
digfous effort which has filled your
associate with admiration and graft
t.1e an confoundeC your enemy"
With earnest words, Marshal Foch
then spoke of the spirit of the Second
and Third American army divisions at
Chateau-Thierry and in Belleu wood.
and later their victorious push with
the French armies between the Aisne
and the Marne.
FINALLY he said, sit was that spi-
rit which animated all the American
army when, on the oath of July, Gen
eral Pershing formed your splendid
units under his own command.
Tribute to Yank Valor.
Marshal Foch then traced the oper-
ations of the American army at St.
Mihiel, the Meuse and thru the Ar
gonne.
Nothing could discourage or check
your army" he said. 1T threw itself
with generous ardor into the immense
melee. The task was aorude one but 1t
was carried thru to thoro finish.
in a fe months you had taken
As 600 prisoners and 1,4OO cannon
from the enemy.
During this time your second army
impatiently awaited to attack in its
turn in the direction of Metz; but
harassed and defeated the enemy laid
down its arms.
"A solemn hour, which compensat-
fCOufinued on Pcge TRO.l