The Washington times., 1902-05-04

{" HE uureiiing of the statue o
RochaEseau, the famous Frenel
i field marshal who contributed 81
much to the independence of the
United States. viii be made the occasion
OF imposing demonstration. The date OF
which the event is TO occur-May 24-is
the anniversary of Rochambeaus en-
trance into the military service OF
France, in 1872. He was then but seven
teen years of age. and almost immediately
after his entry into the army became a
cornet. in I'LL he attained the grade of
field marshal and during the American
Revolution commanded the French mill
tary forces which came to the aid CT
Washington and his struggling country
men.
The statue will be OF bronze upon a
handsome and massive granite base. II
will be erected upon the southwest cor
ner Of Lafayette Square. forming COM
nes;on piece to the statue of Lafayette
on the southeast corner of the same
square. 1t is about the same size as the
Lafayette group and is a highly orna-
mental work Of art.
Suggestion of Friendship.
The bronze figure represents the field
marshal, In the full uniform OF his high
rank, standing with the right arm out
stretched, evidently directing an attack
upon the British lines. But the most
striking and significant feature OF the
memorial is the symbols figure at the
base of the truncated granite pyramid.
This shows the figure cf woman hurry
ing forward with the flags of France and
the United States borne a;oft in her left
hand Beneath her fee. IS the prov OF a
ship, suggestive OF the force which
France has sent over the seas to the aid
of America. Below are the arms OF
France and the United States, including
the American eagle linked together The
general conception. while beautiful in the
extreme, serves the greater purpose of
suggesting the friendship existing be-
tween the two Republics.
The statue completed will cost 22,j00,
OF which $500 was expended by the gov
ernment OF France for the purchase of
the bronze figure OF Rochambeau and the
allegorical figure Of France and the Spirit
OF Liberty which is te stand under it.
Later $4,000 was appropriated by Con-
gress TO defray the expenses attending the
preparation of the site and the erection of
the pedestal for the statue.
II is a replica Of the original bronze
statue OF Rochambeau erected at Ven
dome, France, the old home of Count de
Rochambeau, June 4, 1900 1t was nodded
IN Paris by Fernand Hamar, French
artist OF repute.
Program for dwelling.
A special commmittee was appointed |
come time ago TO arrange program for |
the unyeiling Of the statue. consisting of !
Assistant Secretary Of State Peirce, Com
mander Rodgers. OF the United States
Navy. and Col. Theodore Bingham, of the
Army.
President Roosevelt will preside and
make q short opening address, TO which
M. Cambon. the French ambassador, will
respond on behalf Of the French govern
mcnt. Gen. Horace Porter, the United
States Ambassador 10 France, will return
TO this country for the occasion and will
make short address. The address of the
day. however, VIII be delivered by SEN
ator Henry Cabot Lodge OF Massachu-
setts. Cardinal Gibbons will pronounce
the benediction. The special music for
the occasion will be rendered By the
United States Marine Band
Grandson to Attend.
Count Rene de Rochambeau, the great
grandson OF the field marshal, has sent
omclal notice to the French embassy In