Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-12-15
Foch, Burdened
With Gifts, Sets
Sail for France
IL Have Come to Love All
Americans" Declares the
French Marshal in Fare.
well Message.

New York, Dec. l4.-(By A. P.)-
Ferdined Foch grey and slight. but
bearing with him every honor that
America could bestow one of alien
citizenship, badc farewell to cheering
throngs here today and sailed away
to France.
His baggage were six great cases
! filled with gifts from the people OF
this continent in token of their es-
TEEN of the man who hurled Ger
many's legions back from the soil
of France and won victory in his
tory's greatest conflict.
From Ocean to Ocean.
Since coming to America in Oc-
tober Marshal Foch has travelled
nearly $4,000 miles from ocean to
ocean, made more than 500 speeches.
His luggage included score and a
half OF parchments, attesting he had
been accorded honorary degrees by
Americas leading universities and
colleges. There was one crate full
of Montaaa wild cat of the bob
tailed, splitting but not very danger
Gus type, presented by American
Legionnairs. Another crate con-
tanned white Chester pig from
Iowa, also a legion gift. There was
as whole box Of medals and
medalions; golden and bejeweled
sword in a golden scabbor, and a
half dozen or SO Of loving cups. A
union bricklayers card was to be
found. also in the marshaps pos
session.
And out in little town of Indiana
where the marshals special train
stopped for few inoiflcntsA~hc re-
ceived from a wan-faced little wom-
an potted geraniuin.
Take it." she implored, "and plant
it on the grave of my son. He fell
near Soissons.' The geranium has
been carefully preserved and will be
planted by Marshal Foch in his own
garden, "in honor Of the son Of the
little woman of Indiana
Farewell Message.
II have come to love all Amer
leans for their spirit of diligence and
for their generous-heartedness,' said
Marshal Foch in his farewell mes
sage to the American people, trans
mitted through the American Le-
gion Weekly, organ of the ex-service
mems organization.
with deep regret | bid you good
by the allied leader said For al
most seven weeks the legion has en-
tertained me marvelously in your
splendid country. My experience
here leads to two thoughts.
when first / met you and came
to admire you as fighters, cheerful,
subject to discipline under your
splendid leader, General Pershing,
the days were dark indeed. Yet you
smiled then as you fought, and your
cheerfulness and bravery helped
much to bring us victory and peace
when next | met you it was in
your country. The alarms of war
were over You were engaged ac-
lively in those pursuits Of peace
which are SO essential to happiness
and prosperity-hard work. | have
come to love all Americans for thelt
spirit OF diligence, for their gener-
ous-heartedness. France and the
United States are indeed close to-
gether, as they always have been.
Two Thoughts.
"These two thoughts--of the
American abroad at war, of the
American home at peace-lead te
only one conclusion, that the Amer
leans are young, sturdy. honorable
God-fearing, full of faith and hope
that they are to be admired, respect
ed, trusted by all peoples every
where.
"And Of what type is the repre-
sentative American today? Tht
type you find in the American Le
| gion. He is the man who sacrihcee
| all to fight for his flag and worlc
freedom. He is the man who nov
will see to it that we have peace OF
earth. good will toward men,
I'VE in France are doing ou
share to keep ourselves worthy o
the victory we have won. We know
YOU are doing yours.
Long live the American people
Long live the American Legion!