LATIN AMERICA: A-Dancing

• Share

LATIN AMERICAN

General John J. Pershing left Peru after having attended as U. S. Ambassador and Envoy Extraordinary the centenary exercises of Peru's Independence day.

He and his party then hied them up hill and down dale across the Andes. For many days and many nights no echo of their footsteps was heard.

Subsequently, it was told how the General had been rowed and towed across the great lake district of the Andes, how trains had chugged him across the great Patagonian Plain, how he had visited a U. S. ranchero, had tasted his first cup of yerba mate (herb tea), had danced the Argentine tango with his host's daughter. At Bahia Blanca, Argentine, after being shown the great docks, the General was received by the civic authorities in the City Hall. Then occurred an incident which General Pershing said pleased him more than anything on his trip. A young American woman, babe in arms, demanded to be presented to the General. Her demand was granted and she, her baby and her bashful husband were led forward. The husband was a former soldier in Pershing's army. He told the General that, although he had served in the War, he had never before seen his Commander-in-Chief.

"Well," remarked General Pershing, "here we all are, in South America." With that he took the baby in his arms and the ever-present camera men successfully induced the quartet to pose.

One bright summer morn, a crowd collected at the railway station of Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. Upon the platform was the Minister of War, General Justo, surrounded by many Cabinet members, Army officers, other dignitaries, including Señor Honorio Pueyrredon, Argentine Ambassador to the U. S. and a delegation from the U. S. Legation.

Away in the distance tooted the whistle of a train. Soon it appeared in sight, belching forth steam and smoke. A little later, General Pershing stepped from his compartment and received the ovations of the assembled multitude.

Then began a round of heatic entertainment. A call on President de Alvear, a visit to the races, dinners and sightseeing tours.

Before returning to the U. S., the General will visit Uraguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba.