Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-06
LEGION TO invite
WALES TO DETROIT
National Commander Visits
Stimson to Learn Proce-
dure Of Issuing Bid.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
The Prince Of Wales is to be invited
to be the guest of the American Legion
at its annual convention, in Detroit, in
October, 1881. Plans to that end ma
terialized In Washington this week
They were set in motion by Ralph T.
ONeil Of Topeka, Kans., newly elected
national commander Of the Legion. Col
oNeil went to the State Department in
company with his fellow townsman,
Senator Arthur Capper, Republican, of
Kansas, to confer with Secretary Of
State Stimson on the diplomatic pro-
cedure necessary in connection with an
invitation to the member of a royal
family overseas. In addition to dis
cussing the princes projected visit at
Secretary Stimson's desk, Col. ONeil
and Senator Capper talked with As
sistant Secretary of State William r.
Castle, jr., who Is in general charge of
the departments Western European af-
fairs.
Pays Respect to Lindsay.
The national commander of the
Legion also paid his respects to Sir
Ronald Lindsay, the British Ambassa-
dor, and conveyed to him the organi-
zation's ardent desire to entertain
King Georges heir in Detroit next year.
The Prince of Wales is expected to go
to Argentina some time in the
Spring or Summer of 1881, and at the
end of his sojurn in South America
to come to North America and wind up
his stay on this side of the Atlantic
with a protracted vacation on his big
ranch in Alberta, Canada. On the
presumption that his royal highness
will be setting his face in the home
ward direction during the Autumn, the
American Legion figures that he will
be in Eastern Canada around about the
time Of its annual big get-together in
Detroit during the first fortnight of
October. Detroit being just across the
river from Windsor, Ontario, the
prince wouldn't have to step very far
of British soil for the Legion conven-
ton, even If q more extensive visit to
the United States is not on his itin-
erary.
Col. O'Neil and the executive officers
OF the Legion would like to have a
chance of presenting their invitation to
the future King of England in person.
They are given to understand that he
will tarry in Bermuda en- route to South
America, and the invitation, If agreeable
to the prince, will be submitted to him
there. Sir Ronald Lindsay, who is
understood to be in full sympathy with
the Legion's anxiety to do honor to the
Prince Of Wales, has been asked to find
out whether Wales would receive Col.
O'Neil and his associates in the West
Indies for the purpose of accepting the
Detroit bid.
To Greet Him as COmrade.
The Legionnaires want to greet Ed
ward Albert, Prince of Wales, Duke of
Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, heir
apparent--that'S his full official title
not as future crowned head, but as a
World War comrade-in-armS, He saw
real service on the British front in
France from the outset OF what young
Englishmen called 'the show" until the
armistice as an officer OF a guard -egi-
ment. The prince was tremendously
popular with the British Tommies.
They were never too tired or wet or
mud-caked to give him rousing cheer
every time he appeared in their trenches,
their camps or their hospitals, all of
which he visited necessarily. Wales was
member of the general headquarters
staff Of both Lord French and Sir
Douglas Haig, who were the commanders
in chief of the British Expeditionary
Forces IN France, respectively, in the
early and final periods of the war. The
prince had thorough military educa-
ton at SandhurSt, the British military
academy-John Bulls West Point-after
leaving oxford University.
When American Legionnaires piled
through London a couple of years ago
on the way to their big convention in
Paris, they were received by the Prince
of Wales and found him a regular fell
low. He is today about the same age
as the average American World War ex-
service man, viz, SO. Soldering is still
his passion. He does his duty with his
guard regiment every year and is fire.
quently seen in uniform.
Aid to Understanding.
Apart from wanting to show their
fondness and respect for the prince as
brother warrior in France. the Le-
gionnaires believe his coming to their
1881 convention would help to forge
a new link in Anglo-American under
standing, Wales likes visiting America
and Americans. He's often SAID ne
would be here oftener II cornerstone
Iaying bazaar opening, parades, speech
making and other home duties lncum-
bent upon the heir to the throne al,
lowed him more leisure Tor traVel
The Prince of Wales struck up a
great friendship with Col. Lindbergh
when the latter few to London from
paris in May, 1927. after crossing the
Atlantic in the Spirit OF st. Louis.
Doubtless the American Legion VIII IN
wife "Iindy'' to be in Detroit to help
II do the honors If Edward ALBERT OF
the House of Windsor consents to be
in Detroit next October. The last time
the prince approached American soil
was On the occasion of the dedication
Of the international Peace Bridge, near
Buffalo, in the Autumn OF 1927, where
he was greeted in the name OF the
United States by Vice President Dawes.
tCopyriSht. 1882