Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-05-29
R0CHAMBEAU STATUE UNVEILED.
The Compatriot of Washington Honored
at the National Capital.

The Compatriot of Washington Honored
at the National Capital.
Washington, May p. The President
of the United States today joined with
the official representatives of the French
Republic in unveiling the statue of
Marshal de Rochamneau, the compa
triot of Washington and the com
mander- in chief Of the French forces
in America during the Revolutionary
War. 1t was an event combining many
demonstrations of international good
will, with French sailors from the
battleship Gaulois mingling their
cheers with American blueiackets,
French flags entwining their folds with
the Stars and Stripes, and with oratory
and music expressive Of Eranoo-Ameri-
can friendship.
The ceremony of unveiling was fixed
for IL O'Clock this morning, but long
before that hour the streets were filled
with marching men and great crowd
! eager to hear the exercises and witness
the review. A battalion of French sea-
men moved by special train from Anna
polls early in the day. and, headed by
the crack band from the French BATTLE
ship, swung through Pennsylvania
avenue to La Fayette Square, where
the shrouded figure of tbe French field
marshal awaited the signal for unveil-
| ing. The American soldiers, sailors
| and marines already had assembled,
| and gave their French brothers-in-
| arms hearty welcome. The American
| troops were under command OF Major
General S. Is. M, Young. and embraced
battalion of engineers, battalion OF
| sailors and marines. with the Marine
| Band, battalion of cavalry and field
artillery and brigade of National
Guardsmen of the District Of Col
umhia, representing in. all the various
| branches Of the United States military
and naval services.
President Roosevelt and the members
of the Cabinet arrived at the unveiling
stand shortly before II O'Clock, and
took position Immediately facing the
draped figure. Alongside the Presi-
dential party sat the French Ambassa-
dor, M. Cambon, Gen. Brugare, Vice
Admiral Fournier and other distin-
| guished representatives Of the French
government, and also the Count and
Countess de Rochambeau and Count de
La Fayette. descendants of the gallant
soldiers who fought with Washington.
Cardinal Gibbons was to have opened
| the exercises with an invocation, but,
l
| DIR. Stafford delivered the opening
| prayer. At its conclusion, President
| Roosevelt stepped to the front of the
platform and extended generous well
come to the French guests. AS the
| President closed his remarks, the
| Countess de Rochambeau drew aside
the wells enyeloping the figure, bring
| ing into view the massive bronze pro.
| portions of the famous French COM
mander, standing proudly erect with
arm outstretched, directing the fortunes
of war on the field of Yorktown. A
great cheer went up from Frenehmen
and Americans alike, and at the same
instant the Marine Band broke into the
inspring strains of the Marseilles
| As the French national hymn died
away, Ambassador Cambon escorted to
the front Of the platform the youthful
sculptor, Nj. Hamar, who executed the
statue. Then the Ambassador, speak
ing in French, delivered a brief ad-
dress. Following the French Ambassa-
dor, Gen. Horace Porter, the United
States Ambassador to France, spoke.
The orator of the day was Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts, who began his
address as tine French band concluded
selection. As Mr.. Lodge closed, the
French band played the ''Star Spangled
Banner. . The closing remarks were
by Gen. Brugere of the French army.
Bishop Satterlee brought the cere-
monies to close with the benediction
and the French and American forces
passed in review before the President.
This afternoon the French guests
visited the Capitol and tine Congress
sional Library.