The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-10
FEAR BREACH OVER BRITISH FAILURE ID. ACCEPT THE MEDAL
Pershing Went to Europe to Decorate Unknown Soldier Grave-England Fails
 to Set Date
By Associated Press


 gressional medal on the tomb of the British unknown soldier in Westmin- ster Abbey, and If the ceremony is held another American officer will be designated to represent the United States.
 This announcement came tonight from a most authoritative source.
 Lack of time available for the trip between now and october 20, when General Pershing sails for home, is the official explanation for his de- cision to abandon his visit to Erg- land. It Is learned, however, that failure of the British war office either to fix a date for the ceremony or until late yesterday. to give any explanation for not replying to re- peated inquiries from the American embassy officials, is the chief req son for General Pershing's decision.
 General Pershing came to Europe for the purpose of laying the congress sional medal on the tombs of the French and British unknown rol- diers. The Washington government SC informed the British government early in August and again when Ee sailed. So far as can be learned, no answer was received to either ,om- munication which asked that date be fixed for tho ceremony and that the general oe informed.
 Agu.n Question British
 Sin-e his arrival In Paris further inQ.tiries have been made at the Brit ,sh foreign office through the medium of the American embassies in Lon don ard Paris. One of these inquiries dey eloped the explanation that such ce: emonies usually took long time to arrange.
 The specially trained battalion from the American forces on the Rhine which acted as guard of honor at the P.eis ceremony, ai.d was to have proceeded to London, -e- turned to Coblenz this afternoon by special train, after having been held a week in Paris awaiting word from the British foreign office.
 It is known that American officials in Paris as well as General Persh- Ing and his party have been myJtt- fled by the silence of the British government and the matter has caused much embarrassment to the general. He has been besieged with invitations to dinners and official functions, and the uncertainty of the London arrangements made 1t fiffi- r5t-t 'f* fif ft1f f1fR1 VfsrF sfftf ' of the military men have advanced the explanation that the rule rot permitting British officers and men to accept foreign decorations might be the cause of the. situation; they further suggested that the British might want to arrange to confer a decoration similar in importance on Americas unknown soldier before &C., cepting the congressional medal.
 Should Foregc Rule.
 On the other hand, 1t is pointed out that the fact that the medal was conferred by an act of Congress on behalf of the American people should place the decoration In 8. special cat egory where ordinary rules and pre- cedents would not apply.
 American officials in Paris are much concerned over the matter and fears are expressed that an un- friendly interpretation might be placed on the incident unless a full explanation is made of the delay and the ceremony held as soon as it can be arranged.
 General Pershing would not com ment on this subject today.
 OFFICIAL WASHINGTON AT LOSS TO SOLVE ATTITUDE Washington, october S.-No com ment was forthcoming from the ad- ministration officials tonight on the announcement from Paris that Gen. l eral Pershing would return to the ! United States without stopping ir | London to place the Congressfona medal on the tomb of an unknown i British soldier In Westminster Alb | bey. It was generally accepted that 1 the Generals decision was the re- suit of his failure to receive replies to inquiries regarding the date oi | this ceremony. coupled with the ne- cessity for his return to Washington by November 1 in order thslt he might serve on the official reception com mittee which will greet Marsha, Foch and other military notables ar irving for the armament confer ence.
 | In his announcement of Genera 1 Pershings visit to France, Secretary | Weeks stated that if the programme | could be arranged to permit his re turn by Nivember 1, the itinerJ ! would include participation In tn. | Westminster Abbey ceremony. bu otherwise. another officer would bt designated for that function. Thers | was no indication as to the probable selection.
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