Legion Retreats

Retiring Commander Howard Paul Savage and his band of good-will bearers rounded off the American Legion's reoccupation of Europe by visiting Belgium and Britain before retreating in good order for the U. S.

In Belgium. Good order was momentarily threatened at the palace gates in Brussels when 50 or so Legionaries and wives, who had read in Paris newspapers that King Albert was to receive the Legion, were refused admittance to the royal presence. Legionary Henry Brechner of Philadelphia, onetime pugilist, shouted, "I'll show you I'm as good as you are. I wasn't in the ring three years for nothing!" and punched the jaw of a California member of the official Savage party. Legionary Brechner was thrown out.

King Albert and a slender lady in lavender whom many of the Legionaries thought must be a young princess "or something," stood in front of a fireplace in the palace to receive the callers. Commander Savage and Ambassador Hugh S. Gibson had to poke and pull some of the delegates to show them that the slender lady was Queen Elizabeth, with whom they might shake hands also. Ambassador Gibson introduced the delegation by saying: "There they are, your Majesty. They have fought at Oudenarde, Courtrai, Bruges and Ghent."

King Albert scanned the delegates through his thick glasses and said: "I hope they do not have to fight at these places again."

Upon Commander Savage, King Albert pinned the Order of Leopold I, commander's rank (equivalent of commanderhood in the Legion d'Honneur, which Commander Savage already possessed).

In Britain. The good-will bearers left their luggage at the Hotel Cecil, formed ranks on the Embankment and marched to Whitehall with a wreath of poppies, to Westminster Abbey with another wreath.

The British Legion gave a luncheon with the Prince of Wales, in double-breasted grey suit, as toastmaster. The Prince talked quietly with Commander Savage and Ambassador Alanson B. Houghton until a red-coated attendant rapped the gavel. Then he lifted his glass to "The King!" made a short speech and raised his glass again "To the President of the United States." Earl Haig, British commander-in-chief in the War, recalled incidents of U. S. gallantry. Lady Edward Spencer Churchill and Mrs. Adaline Wright Macauley spoke for their respective Legion Auxiliaries.

The British Government's reception was an evening function in the Great Hall of the House of Lords. Premier Baldwin, pipe in pocket, fanned the fires of Anglo-American friendship. Ambassador Houghton sought to bank the same fires with the broad hint: "I would remind my countrymen that good men are scarce and that they will soon be needed at home."

Next morning "the biggest fleet of sight-seeing busses ever allowed to pass Buckingham Palace gates" carried the legionnaries to their Majesties' home.

Commander Savage and 249 others clasped the hand of King George V. The King asked whether the Commander and his mates had had a good time, and added "If you have not, I should like to know the reason why!" Later the Bishop of London addressed the legionnaries at Sunday service. Said he: "I am prefectly certain that the young people of the schools of your great country are not taught to love Britain as they should. . . . This business must be taken in hand. . . ."