Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-11-25
Marshal
Sends Message
To Legion Head
Foch Joins With People Of
United States ''In Prayers
OF Gratitude for
Blessings"

Harrisburg, Pa, Nov 24.-Marshal
Foch, in Thanksgiving day mes
sage to Hanford MacNider, COM
mander of the American Legion, sent
on his arrival in Harrisburg today,
joined with the people of the United
States in prayer of gratitude for
the blessings enjoyed by the world"
The message said:
"On this, your day of thankful
ness, l join with all my spirit in
the prayers OF gratitude for the bless
ing enjoyed by the world. My heart
goes out to the members of the
American Legion whose guest | am
in this country, to the millions OF
Americans l have seen and to those
whom l will have the pleasure of
greeting. The more | see of Amer
leans, the more | admire and re-
spect them for their ambition, en-
ergy and generosity of spirit.
II am thankful today for being in
your country, for being able to visit
your historic shrines, for meeting
Americans as do and hearing from
their own lips their sentiments to-
ward my beloved country, France.
MY prayers go up today for the
continued welfare and happiness of
the American people; for her men
who fought for world freedom, and
above all, for her wounded soldiers,
whose bravery and sacrifice we do
not forget on this solemn day OF re-s
joicing."
The marshal also sent a message
of greeting to the wounded soldiers
of the United States through the
public health service.
Opposes Pardon for Debs.
Mason City, Ia, Nov. 24.-Han-
ford MacNider, national command
er of the American Legion, ate
turkey with his parents here today,
but put in strenuous workday
otherwise, getting ready to meet
Marshal Foch here tomorrow and |
continue with him on his tour to
the Pacific coast. He received a
Thanksgiving message from the
French hero and wired a message
to President Harding protesting
against the pardon of Eugene V.
Debs.
Commander MacNider's message
to President Harding follows:
The American Legion of men and
women who offered their lives to
preserve the integrity of this coun-
try respectfully ask that no leniency
be shown those traitors who stabbed
Them in the back while they were
giving their all to their country. If
pardon is granted to Debs or others
Iairly and justly convicted of trea-
son or sedition during the time when
The nations very life was at stake,
The lives of those American boys
who lie OH the fields of France and
hose who lie broken in the hospitals
and the homes of this country have
been uselessly sacrificed and our
service has indeed been given in
vain" Il
Reply to Foch.
Commander MacNider's reply to
Marshal Foch's Thanksgiving day
greeting follows: s..
"The men and women of The
Legion appreciate your
message on this Thanksgiving day.
1t was in inspiration of your lead
ership which made this day one of
rejoicing of America and for the
whole civilized world We feel in
you to our grateful people
you have accomplished more by
your very presence than could be
accomplished by International agree
ments or in any other way to bind
even closer together. the great al
lies of the war-France and Amer
ica.
I'VE are proud and happy, sir,
that you are with us. The inspira-
ton of your visit will last through
the years to come for the good OF
Fhe cotfutriec we love