AMERICAN LEGION

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1927, Page 3

AMERICAN LEGION

WELCOMED TO FRANCE. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, Sept. 18. Never since the great Peace Procession has the City seen such a blaze of lights and tho streets so crowded as to-day for France’s welcome to the America Legion. Ten years ago they come amidst other scenes in the dark days of 1917, now their way was decked with flowers, and those bad times were forgotten in the blaze of Paris most splendid and gayest welcome.

For tin? past fortnight ship after ship lias been pouring in Legionaries till 32,090 throng the city to-day. Tho Leviathan brought to Cherbourg the last contingent of twelve hundred war veterans. led by General Pershing. It was strange and wonderful to see General Pershing leitding a procession of the same soldiers lie had led a decade ago. escorted by French war invalids, veterans and bauds playing ‘‘MadeIon.” “Over There” and “Star Spangled Banner,” which was joined in by laughing, weeping soldiers and flip crowds. The procession could hardly move through the crowds, shouting, singing and throwing flowers, till tho streets were literally covered with blos-

General Pershing won the hearts of the people of Cherbourg, wlien lie stopped bis motor car and picked up and kissed little girls, stepping out to band him bouquets. The crowd went wild with delight though they did not know, bow Pershing was affected by the sight of children since 1 1 is wife and two of bis own children were burned to death years ago.

Finally before going to Paris General Pershing stepped out of tin l Towji Hall and said: —“We are not strangers. but old friends come to visit too villages and battlefields, where, in the mbM of rain and mud. we lived and fought with you. AYb are going to live again the hours when our com-rades-in-arms under the Tiicolour. I ninn Jack and Stars and Stripes, waged the greatest war for civilisation and right that the world has ever seen.’’

The arrival in Paris was changed to Garo Dcs Invalides, instead of Saint Lczare. owing to the fear of Communist disturbances. Five hundred soldiers with fixed bayonets wore drawn up outside tbe station. No incident, bowover, marred the histone oecasron. The most dramatic moment came when M. Pain love and M. Petaiii stepped up tn welcome Pershing. M. Painleve with great emotion gave him tho simplest greeting: “Ten years ago,” lie said, “I was Minister of War and it- was an unforgettable day when I received you and tlic first American soldiers.”

General Pershing’s reply "' ;ls even briefer. “1917 was dark as niglit and the future of the Allies was black, loday is one of marvellous splendour.” As lie passed out from the station there were shouts of “Long Live Pershing.” ‘Hie procession passed through cheering crowds to tho Are do Triomphe. for their first not on Fiench territory, the laying of a wreath on the Unknown Soldiers’ tomh. after which there was a formal welcome at the hotel. Meanwhile Paris was given over to carnival. One of the happiest phases is the reunion with the families of French girls who married American soldiers. The celebrations will continue for a week.