The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-25
The JeWeled Hands of the Countess De
Rochambsau Remove the
Yelling Flags.
THE FLO YER OF FRENCH CHlvALRY THERE
President Roosevelt Delivers the Address
Welcome and General Brugere Gives
Pledge of Undying Franco
American Frier dship,
American Frief dship.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, May 24-Amid the enthu-
siastic demonstrations of a concouse of
people, the superb bronze statue of Gen
eral Count de Rochambeau, who brought
the forces of France across the sea at
the hour of greatest peril in the Ameri-
can revolution, was unveiled today
Seldom has an event presented so many
brilliant features of military pageantry,
and at the same time given occasion for
sthe manifestation of the strong bones of
friendship existing between the French
Republic and the United States. For the
first time in its history. the national
capital witnessed the sight Of rank on
rank of Frenchu seamen swinging
through Pennsylvania Avenue and ming
ling their cheers with those of the Amer
lean blue Jackets and soldiers, while at
the same time the French tri-colors were
entwined with the Stars and Stripes and
the sound of the Marseilleise 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 figure were great stands
to accommodate the many distinguished
officials and guests invited to take part
in the exercises. On every hand the col
ors 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 am
phitheatre were gathered representatives
of every branch of the Government, in
Guiding the President of the United
States and members of his Cabinet, the
Chief Justice and Associate Justices of
the United States Supreme court, the
Lieutenant General of the army, and the
Admiral of the Navy. Senators and rep
resentarives.
Not less distinguished was the repre-
sentation of France, designed by Presi-
dent Loubet and including General
Brugere, the highest field officer in the
French army; Vice Admiral Fournier, in
spector general of the French navy:
the venerable General Count Chalendar,
the descendants of Rochambeau and
Lafayette, and others distinguished in
French military, official, literary and
artistic life. With them were the French
Ambassador, NJ. Cambon, and the entire
staff of the French Embassy, all in bril-
liant diplomatic uniform, while the diplo-
matte corps was represented by the Ger
man, Russian, Italian and Mexican Am
bassadors. and the ministers from many
foreign countries.
President Roosevelt and the members
of the Cabinet were escorted from the
White House by a file of minute men.
dressed in the uniform of continental
days. The President noted the appro-
priateness of the uniform for this occa-
sion and made a brief complimentary
speech to the escort. When the Pres-
dent arrived at the Presidential stand
the entire assemblage arose and greeted
him with lusty cheers. After an i'm
pressive invocation by Rev. DIR. Stafford
who took the place of Cardinal Gibbons.
President Roosevelt delivered the adj
dress of welcome. He spoke in strong
voice and with great earnestness paus-
| ing frequently at the outbursts of ap-
plause.
AS the President concluded his address.
the Countess Rochambeau caught up the
| chords to the flags enveloping the
statue, and the massive bronze figure
emerged through the folds of red. white
and blue. At the same time the boom
boom" of an artillery salute came
! from a battery of heavy guns nearby.
! and the strains of the French National
| hymn the Marseillaise came from the
marine band 1t was an inspiring mo-
ment and led by President Roosevelt the
entire assemblage Joined in cheering.
Another demonstration occurred at the
! close of General Brugeres address. when
with characteristic French vehemence he
gave this pledge of undying Franco
American friendship:
Entire vous, entire nous: la vie. a
| la mort
Between you, between us; in life. in
death" "
The ceremonies today were the cul-
mination of the efforts OF M. JuIues
Boeufve, of the French Embassy. ex-
tending over the last two years. He has
sought to strengthen the bonds of friend
ship between the two countries. and to
this end has urged to a successful con-
clusion the legislation by which the
statue was made possible.