Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1917 — PERSHING WILL COMMAND GREAT AMERICAN ARMY [ARTICLE]

PERSHING WILL COMMAND GREAT AMERICAN ARMY

Forces Will Serve Under U. S. Major General and Not Under Foreigner. MEN NOW IN TRENCH CAMPS (Thousands of American Soldiers, Just Arrived In France, on Fighting 1 J_ine—Paris Is Flooded With U. S. Bluejackets. ' J , •••• ' •* . ..... Washington, June 29. —Publication of further details of the landing of American troops in France is not permitted by the war department. Cables from Paris said General Pershing made his first visit to the encampment yesterday. Official reports received in Washington are incomplete. Many American naval officers and men are now on leave in Paris, where French crowds are greeting them enthusiastically. 5.... , . ■ -f- ■— *♦ 1 . ** A French Port June 29—The American expeditionary forces in France will served under Maj, Gen. John J. Pershing and not under any British or French commander. This became known definitely following the arrival here from Paris of Major General Pershing, who came here with his staff to review the first contingents of Americans who landed on French soil. Paris, June 29. —Paris is flooded with American naval officers and bluejackets—men from ships that accompanied the American expeditionary army on its voyage to France. They were feted and cheered and petted by adoring crowds everywhere they went Some of the men were granted four full days’ leave. - Major General Pershing, the American commander, has left the hotel in which he has been staying since his arrival in Paris to make Ids home in a fine old residence in the Rue de Varenne, so as to be near his headquarters. The house, which has a magnificent garden, formerly belonged to Prince Gortchakoff. It was leased before the war by Ogden Mills of New York, who placed it at the disposal of General Pershing.- . : . ■ “What We Are Fighting For." The American commander was asked to comment on the article entitled “Why We Are Fighting," published in the Army Bulletin, in which General Petain, the French commander in chief, explained the objects of the war and .wiry a premature peace must not be Concluded: General Pershing said: “I have read General Petain’s article with deepest interest. His. answer to the question is complete and logical. The facts set forth should convince the world of the justice of our great cause. I cannot think it possible that anyone should hold a different view of why we are in the war. It is quite beyond reason that anyone knowing the truth should fail to condemn the course pursued by the German government, and the truth has been clearly pointed out by the distinguished commander .in chief of the French army. “There must be no peace except a lasting peace. The ideals for which the allies are contending must be held sacred. France will continue her splendid fight for human rights and human liberties and fresh examples of heroism by her valiant armies will still further inspire those fighting by her side.”

Encamped Near Trenches. Washington, June 29—Somewhere in France thousands of America’s fighting men are encamped ready to »take their places in the trenches beside the seasoned campaigners of the allies. General Pershing’s men in khaki will be augmented as fast as possible by other trained troops. This was as far as officials at the war department would go today in discussing future plans, now that have arrived on French soil.' However, it transgresses no rules to indicate that National Guardsmen are likely to be in the units sent abroad ahead of the new national army. No one here believes this new army can be molded into fighting form before next spring at the earliest. Meantime, other fighting forces, seasoned by service in this country, in Mexico, Haiti, Santo Domingo or the Philippines, will take their places in the trenches of France.