IN FRANCE AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 221, 19 September 1927, Page 7

IN FRANCE AGAIN.

PERSHING AND PARTY.

Pilgrimage "Of The American

Legion.

WELCOME AT CHERBOURG.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

PARIS, September 18.

The steamer Leviathan, with General John J. Pershing, former Chief of Staff of the United States Army, the staff of the American Legion and the remainder, of the legionaries, who are on a pilgrimage to France, arrived at Cherbourg at dawn yesterday. The liner was escorted by American destroyers. Members of the French ex-Soldiers' Association went out in tenders and warmly welcomed the legionaries.

Both parties united in singing French and American marching songs. The Americans then landed amid gun-salutes and marched to the Cherbourg railway station, headed by bands and colours.

When the visitors arrived at Paris the crowd at the Invalides station included many legionaries wearing Uniform and caps of varied colours. French infantrj* mounted a guard of honour.

The Minister of War, Mr. Painleve, and prominent army leaders welcomed the Americans. M. Painleve recalled his meeting with General Pershing when- the first Americans arrived in France in 1917. General Pershing's first act was to lay a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. PARIS EN FETE. Stars And Stripes Blend With Tri-Colour. CARNIVAL REIGNS IN CITY. PARIS, September IS. Never since the great Peace Procession has Paris seen such a blaze of lights and the streets so crowded as to-day for France's welcome to the American Legion. For the past fortnight ship after ship has been pouring in legionaries till 32,000 now throng the city. It was strange and wonderful to see General Pershing heading a procession of the same soldiers he had led a decade ago, escorted by French war invalids, veterans and bands playing "Madelon," "Over There" and "The Star Spangled Banner."

The procession could hardly move through the crowds of people who shouted, sang and threw flowers until the streets were literally covered with blossoms.

"We Are Old Friends." General Pershing won the hearts of the people of Cherbourg when he stopped his motor car and picked up and kissed a little girl who had stepped out to hand him bouquets. The crowd went wild with delight, though they did not know how General Pershing is affected by the sight of children since his wife and two of his own children were burned to death a few years ago.

Finally, before going to Paris, the American general stepped out at the Town Hall and said: "We are not strangers, but old friends. We have come to visit the villages and the battlefields where, in the midst of rain and mud, we lived and fought with you. We are going to live again the hours when, as comrades-in-arms, under the tricolour, the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes, we waged the greatest war for civilisation and right the world has ever seen."

Ten Years Ago And Now! The most dramatic moment came at the Gare des Invalides, in Paris, when M. Painleve and Marshal Petain stepped up to welcome General Pershing.

M. Painleve, with great emotion, gave him the simplest greeting. "Ten years ago," he said, "I was Minister of War and it was an unforgettable day when I received you and the first American soldiers."

General Pershing's reply was even more brief. "The year 1917 was as dark as night," he said, "and the future of the Allies was black. To-day it is one of marvellous splendour." As General Pershing passed out from the station there were shouts of "Long live Pershing."

The procession passed through cheering crowds to the Arc de Triomphe. There was then a formal welcome to General Pershing at his hotel. Meanwhile Paris was Riven over to carnival.

One of the happiest phases of the pilgrimage is the reunion with their families of French girls who married American soldiers. The celebrations will continue for a week.