Produced by Tamise Totterdell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Library of Congress, Serial & Government Publications Division) The Stars and Stripes _The Official Newspaper of the A. E. F._ _By and For the Soldiers of the A. E. F._ VOL. 1--NO. 1. FRANCE, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1918. PRICE: 50 CENTIMES. A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF [Illustration] In this initial number of THE STARS AND STRIPES, published by the men of the Overseas Command, the Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces extends his greetings through the editing staff to the readers from the first line trenches to the base ports. These readers are mainly the men who have been honored by being the first contingent of Americans to fight on European soil for the honor of their country. It is an honor and privilege which makes them fortunate above the millions of their fellow citizens at home. Commensurate with their privilege in being here, is the duty which is laid before them, and this duty will be performed by them as by Americans of the past, eager, determined, and unyielding to the last. The paper, written by the men in the service, should speak the thoughts of the new American Army and the American people from whom the Army has been drawn. It is your paper. Good luck to it. (Signed) JOHN J. PERSHING, Commander-in-Chief, A. E. F. ---- MEN ON LEAVE NOT TO BE LED ROUND BY HAND ---- Impression That They Will Be Chaperoned Wholly Erroneous. ---- SAVOY FOR FIRST GROUP ---- Zone System to Be Instituted and Rotated to Give All Possible Variety. ---- "PINK TICKETS" FOR PARIS. ---- Special Trains to Convey Soldiers to Destinations--Rules Are Explicit. ---- As a great deal of misapprehension regarding leaves, the conditions under which they are to be granted, etc., has existed in the A.E.F. for some time past, the complete and authoritative rulings on the subject are given below.