Evening star., 1927-09-28
LEGlONNAIREs FLY TO LONDON
Hundreds Touring England in Ad
vance of Official Party.

LONDON, September % PD.--AI-
though the visit of the official party
of American Legionnaires here will
not take place until early next month.
many hundreds Of American veterans
already are here in addition to the
party which marched through London
on Monday evening.
Many OF the Legionnaires utilized
the air lines to travel from France
and then proceeded to the provincial
towns and districts, where some have
relatives or friends. while others jour
neyed to Scotland, Wales and Ireland
for short visits.
Applauded at Vatican.
The reception of the American vet
Grams at the Vatican was most pic
turesque. A great crowd gathered
in st. Peters Square despite a hot
sun to see the Legionnaires pass. ap-
plauding the men as they entered the
apostolic palace.
When the flags Of the Americans
reached tbs courtyard OF st. Damaso,
the papal gendarmes, and the Palatine
Guard rendered military honors. Led
by the papai master of ceremonies
and preceded by Mgr. Burke and Vice
Rector Breslin, all mounted the snow
white staircase. with the Swiss Guards
in their multi.colored uniforms stand
ing on either side with their hal
herds at present arms.
In the immense Clementine Hall,
with it's priceless frescoes, another
detachment of Swiss Guards was lined
up to render homage to the Legion
naires. who then We're taken into the
vast consistorial hall, which was
nearly filed.
After a short wait. the arrival of
the Pope was announced. The pontiff
then entered. He was preceded by
the noble guard and members Of the
ecclesiastical court, including Mgr.
Mella and Callori and the Rev. Joseph
Wolff, head chaplain of the Legion
naires.
The benignant figure Of the pontiff
stood out in his white cassock, with
white cap, sash ard slippers, the
only color being a large gold pectoral
cross suspended from a gold chain
and the episcopal ring shining on his
right hand.
Mgr. Burke presented the leaders
of the Legionnaires. with whom the
Pope exchanged kind words, speaking
especially with Howard p. Savage. re.
tiring commander of the Legion. The
pontiff took great interest in the flag
OF the LegiOnnaires, examining 1t and
repeating the words printed on it.
Kiss Hand Of Pope.
Afterward the Pope. followed by
Mgr. Burke, the vice rector, and Rev.
Wolff, went around the Legionnaires,
each one Of whom kissed his hand.
He said few words to some of them.
When he came to Frank Schober of
Philadelphia, who. was blinded in the
war. the pOntiff put his hands on
Schober's head, saying May the Lord
bless you, dear boy. for what YOU
have done and for what you have suf.
| fered. We are sure He will give you
strength to undergo deprivation, also
reWardfng you"
The Pope then sat on the throne
and delivered short address in which
he thanked the Legionnaires for
naVlnX come to see him. He ex.
pressed great satisfaction to see them
as guests lin this house of the father
of all the faithful
He was very glad to review the
Legionnaires mot as a military but
as paternal review" he continued.
Smiling. he added: Thus making the
personal acquaintance with each one
OF you representing millions of Amer.
NoiS oo uedI W my neaTt. Inc Pope
said he was indeed gratified that such
a large representation of Americans
should come from such distant coun.
try. He said he was also pleased he.
cause their presence recalled two facts
OF particular interest in the history of
the world. first. the World War: sec.
ond. the contribution given by young
America-still young luckily for her
in that decisive moment for the future
OF old Europe and of the whole world"
The Pontiff ended by saying that
with these sentiments he impaired to
all the apostolic benediction, blessing
especially their great country, ey-
pressing his best wishes for her pros
perity and happiness. as much as it is
possible to reach on earth. He also
blessed everybody dear to the Legion
naires and all religious objects carried
by them.