at Lancaster House, a Government building devoted solely to purposes of state entertainment of distinguished visitors. There were thirty other diners, including eight members of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister sat at the first of six round tables in the sumptuous dining hall. The other tables were presided over by Lord Curzon, Lord President of the Council; Viscount Milner, member of the War Cabinet; the Right Hon. George M. Barnes, Pensions Minister; the Earl of Derby, Secretary for War, and Sir Alfred Mond.

The dinner was not an elaborate affair, the menu conforming strictly to the prescribed war rations. There were no speeches, but toasts were drunk to the King and the President. Early in the evening, before Major Gen. Pershing left his hotel, ex-Premier Asquith called on him.

Enthusiasm in France

An even more thrilling welcome awaited General Pershing on French soil. "I salute the United States of America, which has now become united to the United States of Europe," from the lips of General Dumas, commanding the northern region, were the first words that greeted Pershing as he stepped ashore at Boulogne on the morning of June 13. It was the first time in history that a soldier wearing the American uniform had landed on the European Continent with sword in hand for the purpose of using it against an enemy. As Pershing himself said, it was a historic moment.

The scenes that greeted him, the reception that followed, both at Boulogne and in Paris, were both historic and deeply significant. Drawn up on the landing quay was a detachment of French infantry in battle uniform. They came only recently from the trenches. As the American chief greeted their colors, they came to salute and stood like iron statues as he passed slowly down the line. Pershing's face showed his emotion. They were all grizzled or middle-aged veterans. There was not a youth among them that little detachment of the army of France. Their faces, too, showed

eagerness at his coming, and the few Americans who were there felt heartthrobs of pride at the splendid way in which their leader fitted into the picture. As the boat neared the landing stage Pershing's figure stood out prominently from the centre of his staff, and the common French utterance was: "Truly, here comes a man!"

Among the officials that met him were René Besnard, Under Secretary of State for War; Brig. Gen. Pelletier, who is chief of the French Mission to the American expeditionary force; General Dupont, who represented General Pétain; General Dumas, commanding the region of the north; Sir George Fowke, representing Sir Douglas Haig; Captain Baron de Courcel, who was to act as Pershing's official interpreter; also the Military Governor of Boulogne, and representatives of the French and British Navies. The American War Department was represented by Captain Boyd, Military Attaché.

After a drive through Boulogne, where great crowds gathered in all the streets, the entire staff departed by special train for Paris. Immediately after the start, General Pershing received the French newspaper men in his private car, and afterward the representaives of the American press. To the former he said, after expressing his pleasure at landing in France: "The reception we have received is of great significance. It has impressed us greatly. It means that from the present moment our aims are the same." To the Americans he declared that this arrival of the advance guard of the American Army "makes us realize the fullest importance of American participation. America has entered the war with the fullest intention of doing her share no matter how great or how small that share may be. Our allies can depend on that."

Stirring Reception in Paris

The reception at Paris was by far the greatest given to anybody since the outbreak of the war. From the moment the fortifications were reached every housetop, wall, and window was filled with cheering thousands. At the Gare du

Nord special cordons of troops lined the platforms, while dense ranks of soldiers flanked every street for blocks and patrolled the route of the party all the way to the Hotel de Crillon, in the Place de la Concorde, where the General made his temporary headquarters. Paris turned out literally tens of thousands, and it seemed every one was waving an American flag, while cries of " Vive l'Amerique!" became a sustained roar all the way from the Gare du Nord to the Boulevards. General Pershing was visibly affected by the welcome as he stepped from the train. Bands in the station played "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the "Marseillaise." Those who greeted him were Marshal Joffre, M. Viviani, M. Painlevé, Minister of War; Generals Foch and Dutail, Ambassador Sharp, and all the attachés of the American Embassy.

To the masses in the streets as they followed the automobiles from the Gare it seemed the coming of Pershing was veritably the coming of an army. Here was America to help them, America, which had always stood in popular imagination as the symbol of incredible wealth and greatness. In the person of the simply dressed American General they cheered the whole American Army -millions strong, if need be, to carry the war to victory.

In the evening Ambassador Sharp gave a dinner at the American Embassy, where the General met the chief members of the French Cabinet and officers of the army and navy.

Pershing at Napoleon's Tomb Among the most moving episodes was Pershing's visit to the tomb of Napoleon, in the Hôtel des Invalides, on June 14, for here was witnessed the impressive scene of the American commander standing with uncovered head at the resting place of the world's most famous soldier. Pershing, accompanied by his staff, was received at the Hôtel des Invalides by General Niox, the military commander of the historic monument, and General Malterre. As the American party entered the spacious grounds leading to the building they encountered a number of

veterans of the French wars who have their home at this institution. One of these was a grizzled soldier of the Crimea, who still wore the ancient uniform and carried on his breast decorations of the old days. As the veteran saluted General Pershing the General stopped and extended his hand, saying: "It is a great honor for a young soldier like myself to press the hands of an old soldier like yourself, who has seen such glorious service."

Passing into the Invalides, General Niox conducted the American commander within the vast rotunda with its walls hung with battle flags, and thence the party proceeded below to the crypt where the sarcophagus of Napoleon reposes. Entrance to the crypt is rigorously restricted, and it is seldom that any one is admitted except crowned heads or former heads of States, as in the case of ex-President Roosevelt when he visited Paris.

General Pershing and his staff were conducted to the crypt by Marshal Joffre, who followed the precedent laid down by Napoleon, that only a Marshal of France might remain covered in his presence. The great key was inserted in the brass door of the crypt. Marshal Joffre and General Niox drew aside while General Pershing faced the door alone. He took a deep breath, stepped suddenly forward, and with a single motion threw his arm straight out and turned the key. In a tiny alcove at one side of the crypt the Governor of the Invalides unlocked the case, drew out the sword, and raised it to his lips. Then he presented the hilt to General Pershing, who received it, held it at salute for a moment, and then kissed the hilt. The same ceremony was followed with the cross of the cordon of the Legion of Honor, General Pershing holding the cross to his lips before passing it back to the Governor. This was the most signal honor France ever bestowed upon any man. Before this occasion not even a Frenchman ever was permitted to hold the historic relics in his hands. Kings and Princes have been taken to the crypt that holds the body of the great Emperor, but they only viewed the sword and cross through the plateglass of the case in

which they rest. The relics had not been touched since the time of Louis Philippe.

Visit to President Poincare

After his visit to the Invalides General Pershing made a formal call on Ambassador Sharp, and was then escorted with military honors to the Elysée Palace to be presented to President Poincaré. At 1:30 o'clock the President and Mme. Poincaré gave a state breakfast in honor of the American commander. Other guests were Premier Ribot, Paul Painlevé, Minister of War; Marshal Joffre, René Viviani, Minister of Justice, and Ambassador Sharp.

General Pershing received a remarkable greeting from the Deputies when he entered the diplomatic box in the Chamber of Deputies at 3 o'clock, just before Premier Ribot rose to tell the Chamber what the Allies purposed doing in Greece. The first part of the session partook of the nature of an official parliamentary reception to General Pershing, the United States figuring in M. Ribot's speech and being the theme of an eloquent oration by M. Viviani. Once they were aware of General Pershing's entry, the Deputies rose and stood, cheering, until the General bowed his acknowledgments. Then the galleries caught up the enthusiasm and violated the tradition of the House by joining in the applause. The Deputies again rose and turned toward General Pershing, cheering, when M. Ribot finished his speech by quoting President Wilson's phrase in his message to Russia:

The day has come to conquer or submit," and declaring: "We will not submit; we will vanquish." M. Viviani followed M. Ribot, describing the spirit of the United States and the principles for which both republics were fighting. General Pershing was compelled to respond to another demonstration after M. Viviani's speech, and at 4 o'clock he left the Chamber, followed by a storm of cheering.

Premier Ribot said in the course of his speech:

The people of France fully understand the deep significance of the arrival of General Pershing in France. It is one of the greatest events in history that the people of the United States should come here to struggle, not

in the spirit of ambition or conquest, but for the noble ideals of justice and liberty. The arrival of General Pershing is a new message from President Wilson, which, if that is possible, surpasses in nobility all those preceding it.

The people of Paris gave Pershing and Joffre a remarkable reception on the morning of June 15, when the two Generals stool bareheaded together on the balcony of the Military Club, looking down on the excited crowd on the Place de l'Opéra. "Vive Joffre, who saved us from defeat! Vive Pershing, who brings us victory!" cried an excited girl, clinging to the arm of a be-medaled permissionaire, in a brief moment of silence, and at her words cheering burst forth tenfold only to cease long after the club balcony was vacant and the crowd was at last convinced that its two idols had definitely withdrawn.

A Wreath for Lafayette

General Pershing's personal program of official calls, dinners, and ceremonies came to an abrupt end in the afternoon after he visited Picpus Cemetery, where he placed a huge wreath of American Beauty roses on the tomb of Lafayette. Then he announced definitely that next day he intended to get down to work at the headquarters of the American Army, which was already in full operation, in the Rue de Constantine. The ceremony at the tomb was very brief, simple but impressive. With half a dozen officers of his staff he motored to the cemetery, where he was received only by the Marquis and the Count de Chambrun, descendants of Lafayette, who conducted him to the tomb. The wreath was carried behind by two orderlies. The Marquis de Chambrun said a few words welcoming General Pershing, who replied simply, expressing the great pleasure of every American to visit the tomb of one who had done so much for the United States-to pay a tribute of devotion which sealed friendship forever. Then the wreath was placed on the slab, while General Pershing and the officers stood at salute. The streets along the route to and from the cemetery were lined, as usual, with crowds, whose cheers seemed to indicate their appreciation of General

Pershing in this symbolic fashion repaying the debt of Lafayette.

General Pershing spent his third and last day in Paris before leaving for the front in making official calls, paying a visit to Marshal Joffre, with whom he had luncheon, and visiting the Senate. During his visit to the Senate there were scenes of enthusiasm similar to those in the Chamber of Deputies on the previous day. The Senators stood when General Pershing appeared in the diplomatic box, accompanied by the American Ambassador, and applauded him for several minutes. The General had to bow his acknowledgments repeatedly.

M. Ribot, the Premier, alluded to the presence of the distinguished American soldier, and called on Foreign Minister Viviani to address the Senate. M. Viviani, speaking at first with restraint, launched with great beauty of expression into an oration, in which he described the refusal of the United States to see the ideals of civilization, of democracy, and of right in battle with destructive forces without taking her part, which, he declared, was a great and noble part. The speaker was frequently interrupted by applause, and at the close of his address all the members of the Senate stood and, turning again toward General Pershing, clapped their hands and shouted, " Vivent les Etats Unis." General Pershing rose and bowed several times before the demonstration subsided.

The Senate took a recess of half an hour, so that the members might be introduced to General Pershing, and Antonin Dubost, President of the Senate, escorted him through the immense lobby of the Luxembourg Palace, introducing him to the members, Baron D'Estournelles de Constant assisting in the presentations.

Organizing for the Front

With the great series of official and popular greetings at an end General Pershing set to work to establish his headquarters in France. Marshal Joffre was designated by the French Minister of War to continue his work, begun in Washington, of assisting to organize American participation in the war. He

will, therefore, be the representative of the French Government in co-operating with the American Commander, Lieut. Col. Fabry, as Chief of Staff, and Lieutenant de Tessan as aid, both members of the French War Commission to the United States, continue with the Marshal. According to a statement made by the War Department at Washington on June 13, General Pershing, in conference with French army heads, will determine where the American expedition shall be sent, and his recommendations, which will be practically final, will be approved by the authorities at Washington. He will be an independent commander, like Field Marshal Haig, necessarily co-operating with the French high command while on French soil.

General Pershing was preceded to France by various special units of the American Army, and on May 24 the first United States combatant corps went to the front under Captain E. I. Tinkham, who won the War Cross at Verdun, and Lieutenant Scully of Princeton. It was

a proud moment when the first detachment of the American field service, consisting mainly of Cornell undergraduates, departed for the Aisne battlefield. They were armed with carbines, attired in khaki uniforms, and drove American fiveton motor cars. As they left, the Stars and Stripes, floating over the cantonment in a historic French forest, spread out in the breeze, and other contingents cheered them on their way. Other American sections, drilling in preparation for active participation in the fighting, included detachments from Andover, Dartmouth, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Chicago, and Williams College, while a large body from Princeton is awaiting organization. Most of them intended to serve with the American Ambulance Corps, but selected the fighting corps after the United States decided to enter the war.

An official statement issued by the British War Office on May 28 said that, counting the Americans serving in the British and French armies and the additional units ordered to France, there would shortly be 100,000 Americans in