Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-03-12
REPATRIATION OF
SOLDIERS BODIES
NOW IS COMPLETE
America Plans to Beautify
3. sFields of Honor" in
( Europe.
MANY SLEEP IN LANDS
THEY HELPED TO SAVE
French Aid in Tender Care of
Graves Of Men Who
Died for Them.
LRv Associated rress.l

PARIS. March 1.-THE work OF re-
turning TO the United states the
bodies OF American soldiers. who died
In France was completed today with n
finEl shipment of 1900 bodies from
Bres; for New York This brings the
total number Of American bodies re-
turned to i5,o25.
The simple announcement Of the
completion o; the task marks the
close OF one OF the most trying and
difficult problems ever placed before
thes American army. The American
Graves Registration Service. the
SPECIAL branch OF the army organized
for sthe purpose, began work in Feb
ruafy. 1890.
Agents o: that service will now go
TO England and assemble ninety
seven American bodies destined for
shipment to America. These were
American soldiers who died In wide
ly scattered parts OF ireland, Scot
lang, Wales and England. Five hun
dren other bodies o; Americans
whose relatives have decided to
leave them in England. will be con-
eenfrated III beautiful little per-
mahent cemetery at Brookwood. sur
rev England. the British government
haynS given the site. This work
VIII be completed by July.
An extensive scheme OF beautitica-
ton has been developed by a special
Inc arts commission for the four
cemeteries in France which are to
be ihe permanent resting places o..
nearly 10000 Americans who fell in
thesworld war. Original plans called
1ortthe expenditure OF nearly $4,000. :
eoos but in the interest OF government
economy this sum has been reduced
to about 100000
work vii! begin Immediately after
this appropriation is made by Con-
grets. Colonel II. F. Rc,hers who
has. been in charge OF the graves reg
istration work. probably Will direct
ftheswork.
The four fields OF honor are sures-
mes; cemetery. near Paris Bony, near
ST sQuent!n: Beileau Wood near
Ghatehu-Th!crry. and the Arronnc. or
Romagne cemetery. near Ronagne
sous -Montfaucon.
For the latter. n scheme has h.en
worked out which Will make I, very
much like Arlington Cemetery. Each
cemetery is TO have a rest house and
chnpel Tor visitors. and every grave
- 20 N4"' hcu with u Uniform head =
stone.
One OF the most touching features
OF ihe four cemeteries has been ,he
way IN which French reorie have
made them their own. Sunday ney.y
goes by without; scores OF French pco.
lesvis!'inE them and placing flowers
on fhe graves. This manifestation o..
friendship and appreciation caused
many relatives to leave the bodies In
/. The beaut!fying o, the se,ds ~,
honor VIII take two years bu, =
great deal OF preliminary work has
aiready been done and the cerne.e-Iee
In ths!E preser; state. aye impressive
WHEN ;he Graves Registration 81
vice beEa. Is work. the bodies we-.
in more than 500 cerne-c-!e. scat,.r.s
IN every par, u France. Alsace
Faine and Germany. Several thous.
and men we!s employed under ~.
direction Q. American army officers
Concentration OF bod!.&.ii. ,hs.fop-
helds o. honor has ,.trnnle,es
me Graves Registration serv,c. viii
maintain PERMANENT once in parl.
iorathe convenience Q: AMERICAN Wis
itors.