The Wrangell Sentinel

REGARDING THE PARIS TRIP

To the Editors of America

The American Legion has not attempted heretofore to inform the press of the country of the many events planned in connection with its visit to France in September, which will have a direct influence on future international relations marked increase in international goodwill cannot help but be the outcome of this visit of at least 20,000 ex-service men to a foreign country. No event, in the opinion of many men of America and Europe, is so rich in opportunity to build foundations of better understanding between nations, their peoples and problems, both political and economic.

The Presidents and State Departments of both the United States and France have endorsed this visit and justified it on the grounds above.

It is with full knowledge of our responsibility to the Government and people of the United States that, acting for the 700,000 members of the American Legion, I address this accounting of the activities of the Second A. E. F. to date and its plans on arrival in France.

1. The Paris Convention will be held September 19 to 23

2. Five steamship companies of American, British and French registry have allocated fifty ships to transport the Legionnaires to France and return.

3. The SS Leviathan which carried 40,000 members of the First A. E. F. to France in 1917 and 1918 will be the Flagship of the Legion fleet. It will sail from New York on September 10.

Except for the most expensive space, this ship has been sold out for weeks. Amongst the more notable Legionnaires already booked on the Leviathan is General Pershing, with Marshal Foch, the only Honorary National Commander of the Legion.

4. Army and Navy ships and airplanes will escort the Leviathan to sea, as she was escorted in War days.

5. More than 40 percent of the Legion overseas movement will be women, wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of Legionnaires.

6. The President, Vice-President, Cabinet Members, Governor of each State and other figures notable in American life will be invited to attend the Paris Convention as distinguished guests.

PARIS PLANS

1. The last official act of the National Commander, acting for the Legion, on leaving the United States, will be to visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery on September 9th, in company with General Pershing and a representative of the French Embassy. A wreath, made by the disabled men of America and so fashioned that it may be separated in equal parts, will be laid on the tomb. The other half will be taken on the Leviathan to France, and the first official function there will be the laying of it on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris.

2. The Convention will assemble Monday morning, adjourning at noon for the parade of veterans through the streets of Paris. It is worthy of note that approximately 20 Legion bands, drum corps and drill teams will participate in this and other Convention functions.

3. President Doumergue and Ambassador Herrick will address the Convention at its first session. Other figures prominent in French life will speak during the week.

4. Possibly the most outstanding events of the convention week, in international importance are the two dinners which will be given on Monday and Tuesday nights. On Monday, The American Legion will officially entertain President Doumergue. Officials high in French official life will also attend. Tuesday night The Republic of France will entertain the Legion National officials and representatives from every state in the United States at a dinner.

5. Distinguished guests of the Legion will occupy boxes in the historic Trocadero where the Convention will be held, placed in seats of honor at the Legion's dinner to President Doumergue, seats in the Reviewing Stand for the parade, as well as the recipients of every other social function.

6. Fully 75 percent of the Paris bound Legionnaires have already paid for reservations on at least one of the 20 separate itineraries the Legion will operate to the American cemeteries and battlefield

These trips will take place each day of Convention Week

7. Special memorial services will be held at each of the American cemeteries each day with a War-time Chaplain in charge.

8. Sunday afternoon, September 23rd, the National Commander, and as many Legionnaires as care to do so, will hold special, official memorial services at each of the American cemeteries each day with a war-time chaplain in charge.

9. Sunday afternoon, September 23rd, the National Commander, and Legionnaires as care to do so, will hold special, official memorial services at the American cemetery at Suresnes, just outside Paris.

10. An official Legion Tour of the Allied Countries will follow the Convention. Stops will be made at Nice, Monte Carlo, Genoa, Rome, Lucerne, Strasbourg, Metz, Lux., Antwerp and London. The Legion takes this tour which because of transportation difficulties is limited to 250, at the request of the Governments concerned. Official government and municipal receptions and entertainments will take place at each city

Thousands of Legionnaires have planned tours to practically all European countries, following the Convention.

The last official return sailing of Legion ships will be so that all will be back in the United States by October

The American Legion could ask no greater favor than to request the news disseminating agencies give its plans and acts the closest scrutiny that our people may know the men and women of 1917 and 1918 are doing as they did then - trying to be of help to this country and to the world

Sincerely Yours,

HOWARD P. SAVAGE
National Commander