Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-10-31
w ar Vets
Gather for
Convention
Legion Members Equivalent
To Division Already in
Kansas City-Diaz and
Jacques Arrive.
City in Riot Of Color
ny Tho Associated rrr.a


Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 3o,-Equiv-
alcnt OF war strength division, made
up OF men from New England to
San Francisco, their wives and rela-
tivcs, had arrived tonight to attend
the national convention OF the Amer
ican Legion, which begins tomorrow.
Included in the hundreds OF arrivals
were General Armando Diaz OF
Italy and General Baron Jacques OF
Belgium.
They arrived within half an hour
OF each other and were given rousing
welcomes.
Another notable to come was Vice
President Coolidge, who will be
President Harding's official represen-
tative.
This big midwestern city tonight
was a riot of color and crowds.
Olive drab and naval uniforms were
much in evidence.
Three outstanding propositions
are engaging the attention Of legion
politicians-the choice for next ma
tional commander, the selection of
the next convention city and fight
to bring the permanent headquarters
from Indianapolis to this city.
After Next Convention.
There seemed to be general ac-
ceptance among delegates that
man from the south or west would
be the next commander.
New Orleans and San Francisco
apparently have come out as the
strongest contenders for the next
convention.
A resolution voicing a demand for
immediate action by congress on the
bonus proposition will be one of the
principal issues taken up, it was said.
The resolution committee began
work today, sitting several hundred
resolutions.
Mexican Band Plays.
All preparations had been made to-
night for seating the delegates at the
opening session tomorrow in the big
convention hall. The chief Of staff's
band from Mexico City sent by
President Obregon, entertained
visitors in the hall this afternoon.
The credentials committee today
certified the total convention voting
strength at 1860.
Delegates from Alaska, Africa.
Chile, the British Isles, Canada, Pam
anna, Canal Zone, China, Cuba,
France, Guatemala, Hawaii, Japan,
Mexico, Peru, Porto Rico, atid Tur-
key will be seated.
Greeted by cheering thousands,
General Armando Diaz of Italy and
General Baron Jacques Of Belgium
arrived today to attend the national
convention of the American Legion.
After being escorted by a guard
/ of honor through lanes Of men,
women and children, the visitors
were hurried to the homes of the
Kansas City men, whose guests they
will be while here.
Attends Aerial Derby.
The two men had breakfast and
then heard mass. The remainder Of
the forenoon they spent resting.
This afternoon General Jacques at.
tended the legion's aerial derby.
General Diaz had more stren-
uous day. The local colony of
$1,000 Italians took him in charge
this afternoon. With his staff he
occupied q box at a theater and
heard Titta Ruffo, Italian baritone.
Tonight he was the guest OF the
local Italian colony at dinner and
was presented with a jeweled sword.
Not the least part of the legion
gathering is the first national con-
vention of the women's auxiliary Of
the legion.
About 500 delegates will attend
the auxiliary convention, beginning
Tuesday, at which this national aux
iliary organization will be perfected.
Another point which leaders plan to
bring up, is the question Of eligible
| ity which is now limited to mothers,
wives, sisters and daughters of 1e-
gion members or service men who
gave their lives during the war.