New-York tribune., 1902-05-25
A BRILLIANT PAGEANT.
FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN FRANCE AND
THE UNITED STATES THE DOMI-
NANT NOTE.

Washington. May 24-Amid the enthusiastic
demonstrations of a great concourse Of people.
the bronze statue of Rochambeau. who brought
the forces Of France across the at the hour
of greatest peril in the American Revolution.
was unveiled to-day. Seldom has an event pre-
sented so many brilliant features of military
pageantry and at the same time given occasion
for the manifestation Of the strong bonds OF
friendship between the French Republic and the
United States. For the first time IN its history
the national capital saw rank on rank of French
seamen swinging through Penpsylvania-ave.
and mingling their cheers with those Of the
American bluejackets and soldiers while at the
same time the French tricolor entwined
with the Stars and Stripes. and the sound of the
'Marseillaise" was heard along with the Star
Spangled Banner"
The ceremony OF unveiling occurred at the
southwest corner of Lafayette Square. almost
directly opposite the White House. where the
massive figure OF the French general has been
erected. Surrounding the statue were great
stands TO accommodate the many officials and
guests invited to take part in the exercises
On every hand :he colors OF France and
America were blended. one stand being hung
with great folds Of red. another with white
and still another with blue. Within this amphi-
theatre were gathered representatives OF every
branch OF the government. including the Presi-
dent OF the United States and members of the
Cabinet. the Chief Justice and associate Jus
tees OF the United States Supreme Court the
LiGtenant General OF the army and the
Admiral OF the navy, Senators and Representa-
tives. Not less notable was the representation
of France designated by President I.ouber and
including General Brugere. the highest field
officer in the French army; vice-Admiral Four
nier. Inspector General OF the French navy; the
venerable General Count Chalendar. the de-
scepdants OF Roehambeau and Lafayette and
others distinguished in French military. off,
eial. literary and artistic life. With them were
the French Ambassador. NJ. Cambon. and the
entire staff of the French Embassy. all in
brilliant diplomatic uniform. while the Diplo-
matte Corps was represented by the German
Russian, Italian and Mexican ambassadors and
the minister's from many foreign countries
President Roosevelt and the members OF the
Cabinet were escorted from the White House
by file of minute men. dressed in the uniform
of Continental days. The President noted the
appropriateness of the uniform for this occa-
sion, and made brief complimentary speech
10 the escort. When the President arrived at
the stand the entire assenblage rose and greet
ed him with cheers After an impressive in
vocation by the Rev DR. Stafford. who took the
place Of Cardinal Gibbons. President Roosevelt
n
a strong voice and with great earnestness
pausing frequently at the outbursts of applause
GREAT oUTBURsTs OF ENTHUSIASM
AS the President concluded his address the
Countess Rochambeau caught up the cords to
the flags enveloping the statue and the massive
bronze figure emerged through the folds of red
white and blue At the same instant the boom
of artillery salute came from battery OF
heavy guns near by and the strains Of the
French national hymn came from the Marine
Band II was inspiring moment and led
by President Roosevelt the entire assemblage
joineo in cheering. Another demonstration oc-
CURED at the close of General Brugeres address,
when, with characteristic French vehemence, he
gave this pledge of undying Franco-American
friendship:
"'Entre vous. entire nous; n la vie. a In mort
''betwecn you. between US; In life, i'm death"
The ceremonies to-day were the elimination
of the efforts of NJ. Boeufve. Of the French EN-
bassy. extending over the last two years. He
has sought to strengthen the bonds of friend
snip between the two countries, and TO this end
has urged to a successful conclusion the legisIa-
tion by which the statue was made possible.
A proposed ball on the French man-of-war
Gauois while in New-York waters has been
abandoned because of the Martinique disaster
This affair not the official programme
but intended to be given by General
Hrugere on May 2S as an appropriate incident
of entertainment while in this country. In
view, however OF the appalling loss of life and
suffering of the people OF Martinique ii
determined 10 abandon the proposed ball. The
members of the mission are deeply affected by
the many manifestations of sympathy from the
American nation, which has so nobly responded
to the needs of the sufferers in a practical way
Receptions in honor of the members of the
Rochambe mission We're have been given
by Mrs L. u. Letter this afternoon. and by Am
bassadOr CambOn of the French Embassy mis-
evening but they were abandoned account
Of the death of Lord Pauncefote.