Evening star., 1921-11-01
EYES MOIST,
PERSH|NG B|TESL|P,
IN LEGION WELCOME
War Commanders Receive
Three.Minute Ovation at
.,- Convention Hall.
By the Associated Press.

by the Associated PfeSS.
/. KANSAS CITY. November 1.-The
American Legion received it's war time
commanders - Marshal Ferdinand
Foch of France and Gen. John j. PERISH
i1.g-here today with a welcome fit for
the heroes of victorious armies. The
thousands of delegates and visitors
to the national convention of the
American veterans gave the great
military leaders a tumultous greeting
that spoke the affection of the Amer
ican soldier and people for the two
men.
After hearing the visitors. the con-
vention adjourned until tomorrow
morning to permit the delegates and
visitors to attend the dedication of
Kansas City's memorial to its war
dead and to participate in the big le-
gion parade this afternoon.
Frenzied Appliance for Foch.
Marshal Focn brought to the legion
naires a personal declaration Of COM
radeship and from his goveFnment
bo. the official greetings of France.
.Lst the appearance of the marshal
was enough to throw the huge hall
into a frenzy of applause and acclaim
and Gen. Pershing was given an equal
ovation by the former soldiers who
served under him.
He entered the hall from side en-
trance and went to his box amid cheer
ing. just as the convention was called
to order. He was preceded by guard
of Americans, holders of the congress
sional medal of honor.
Gen. Jacques Of Belgium. Gen. John
A. Lejeune, comnlandant OF the Amerl-
can Marine Corps. and Gen. Diaz of
Italy and his party all were greeted
with enthusiasm as they entered Con-
vention Hall.
1t was not until the Frenchman walk
ed down the stage with Gen. PERISH
ing. however, that al! of the great
crowd caught sight of Marshal Foch
Gen. Pershing was the signal for the
The two stood SIDE by side in the
center of the platform and were
cheered vociferously for three min
utes Cen. psrshnE hntona sm'led, ths ort romS MS
Il only cheered louder. The mar
shal stood looking at the crowd. He
bow ed his head a moment, and his
eyes were moist.
Missouri Wins Place.
Mrs. George Cowden then sang THE
Star Spangled Banner" When she
had finished Marshal Foch turned and
thanked her.
Commander
sented "Our Comrade Of the Legion"
Gen. John j. Pershing, to the con-
The standards of Missouri, Ne
braska, Texas and Pennsylvania were
carried to the stage ana paced De-
hind Gen. Pershing.
The Missouri standard. however.
obtained the honor position.
/. Gen, Pershing was born In Missouri.
To settle the rivalry of the states
claiming him, Gen. -Pershing declared:
1T you will accept me as an ordi-
perfectly satisfied" and this brought
wild cheering.
"F'or nearly four years." Gen. Per-
shing declared, turning to Marshal
Foch, 1.-THE armies on the western front
had been fighting Independently or
else under some temporary agreement
to render mutual support. There was
no supreme direction that would in
sure unity or coordination Of effort.
II was not until the dark days OF dis
aster in the spring of 1918 that neces-
sity forced the issue and Marshal
Fosch was unanimously selected as al
lied commander-in-chief. Calm. conf
dent and aggressive. this great SOL
der at once inspired all ranks Of the
allied armies by his exceptional quail
tiles Of leadership. The world knows
well the story of allied success under
his direction and no words Of mine
can add to the glory Of that achieves
ment."
He then greeted Gen. Diaz, Gen.
jacques and Admiral Beatty, paying a
tribute to the achievements of each.
Text ef Marshal Foeh,s Address.
Following is the text of Marshal
.Foch's address:
OmceHa. nonrcommissioned officers
CONTINUED On Pa::e = Column z.l