Evening star., 1940-06-02
Pershing Gives Talk
On War al Dinner
O'f Baltic Society
A. {. F. Group Celebrates
23d Anniversary Of
Emburkution for France


: With European war developments
dominating their OF the record
talks, Gen. John J. Pershing and
two score members OF the Baltic
Society met at dinner last night at
the Army Navy Club to celebrate
the 23d anniversary Of their en-
barkation for France on the White
Star liner Baltic on May %,
1917. AS the Marine Band Orchestra
played "Over There" "Tipperary,"
the Long, Long Trail" 'Madelon, /"
and other World War tunes, the
commander in chief of the A. E. F..
and those who sailed with him on
the Baltic exchanged "reminiscences
of 1917 and 1918 and discussed the
latest war news from Europe.
Accompanied by Maj. Gen. James
G. Harbord, his first chief of staff,
and later commander of the S. o. S.,
Gen. Pershing, with military pune
.tuality, arrived promptly. He was
warmly greeted by his Baltic ship
mates, some of whom had travelled
far to attend last nights reunion.
Gen. Pershing made a 15-minute
of1-the-record talk on the European
war situation. His address, an ex-
temporaneous one, was loudly ap-
plauded. Those who heard it said
that it was one of the finest speeches
he ever made. Gen. Pershing left
the dinner about 10 o'clock, leaving
MS colleagues to carry on.
Gen. Harbord Presides.
Gen. Harbord, who presided, also
discussed the European war.
enough the outlook for the Allies
now seems dark, it is no worse than
1t was early in 1913" he said. Brig.
Gen. Samuel D. Rockenbach. who
commanded the A. E. F.s tank units.
made talk on the use of tanks and
mechanical troops by the Nazi army
In the present war. Other Baltic
veterans also spoke.
The trend of the discussions. 1t
was said, was strongly pro-ally.
The group accompanying Gen,
Pershlng on the Baltic included Sc
officers, 68 field clerks and civilians
I and 81 enlisted men. These formed
the nucleus of the American general
headquarters in France.
The party that sailed on the Baltic
the first Army personnel to 90 to
France after our entry into the
World War, included some of the
A. E. F.'s best known leaders. Among
others in the party were Eddie
Rlckenbacker, famous flyer and
automobile racer; Frederick Palmer
war correspondent, and Col. Charles
E. Stanton, author of the phrase
Lafayette, we are here"
Pershing Commander of Society.
Gen. Pershing is commander of
the society, and Gen. James G.
Harbord, Col. Hugh H. Young and
Col. Hugh B. Moore are its vice
commanders Col. George E. Adam
son, an Army veteran who has been
with Gen. Pershing since punitive
expedition into Mexico in pursuit OF
Pancho Villa, is secretary treasurer
OF the society, with Warrant Officer
Charles B. Shaw, who is still on the
active list Of the Army, as deputy
secretary-treasurer. Col. David S
Stanley is chairman of the Executive
Committee. Other members of the
Executive Committee are Col. George
S. Patton, jr., commanding officer
at Fort Myer; Maj. Samuel T. Hub
with Gen. Pershing since the punitive
Others attending the dinner in
cluded Maj. Gen. Merritte w. Ire
land, Maj. Gen. Walter A. Bethel
Col. Parker Hit, Front Royal, Va;
Col. James B. Taylor, Hampton
Va; Col. John S. Chambers, Gov
ernors Island, N. Y; Col. George E
Adamson, Col. Hugh B. Moore, Texas
City. Tex: Col. Hugh H. Young
Baltimore; Maj. Eugene j. Heller
Maj. Samuel T. Hubbard, jr., New
York City; Maj. Frederick H
Schwartz, st. Louis; Capt. Grover
w. Roth, Baltimore: Capt. Dixie B
Guynn, Capt. Thomas M. Wilson
1t. George S. Linthicum, Baltimore;
Warrant officers Charles A. Part
ridge, San Francisco; Charles B
Shaw and Oliver E. Scheid, Colum.
bus, Ohio; Sergts. Harry Cooper anc
Louis A. Beaman, Camden, N. j.
Bertin E. Casson and Capt. Ray T
Middleton, Vienna, Va.