The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-25
Another Friendly Link Binds
France and United States
BRONZE STATUE UNVEILED
Veil Which Concealed Figure of Ro-
chambeau Pulled Aside Amid the
Booming of Cannon and
Cheer From Thousands.

Washington. May 24-Amid the enthuss
| iastic demonstrations of a great con-
course of people, the superb bronze statue
of Gen. Count de Rochambeau who
brought the forces of France across the
sea at the hours Of greatest peril in the
American revolution, was unveiled to-
day. Seldom has an event presented so
many brilliant features of military page
antry, and at the same time given oc-
casion for the manifestation of the strong
bonds of friendship existing between the
French republic and the United States.
For the first time in Its history, the ma
tional capital witnessed the sight of rank
on rank of French 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 Marseillaise was heard
| along with the Star Spangled Banner.
When the Countess de Rochambeau, at
the conclusion of President Roosevelts
address Of welcome, caught up the cords
to the flags enyeloping the statue and the
massive bronze figure of the great French
general emerged through the folds of red,
white and blue, the "booml" 'boomr
of an artillery salute came from battery
of heavy guns nearby, and the strains
the French national hymn, the Marseil-
laise, came from the Marine Band.
Inspiring Moment.
1t was an inspiring moment, and led
by President Roosevelt. the entire assem-
blage joined in cheering. Another demon
straton occurred at the close of General
Brugere's address. which was delivered
/ with characteristic French vehemence,
| and portrayed Frances friendship in the
| following words:
"Ent-e vous, entire nous; la vie. a la
mort. tB @een YOU, between u.s. life
or death.
The ceremony of unveiling was fixed
for II O'Clock this morning. but long be-
fore that hour the streets were filled with
marching men and with a great crowd
eager to witness the exercises and
| view
A battalion of French seamen arrived
by special train from Annapolis early in
the day, and headed by the crack band
from the French battleship swung
| through Pennsylvania avenue to Lafa-
yette Square. where the shrouded figure
/ VI lIle ETeItn lelu IndI sudl dWdiLtu luc
signal for unwilling, The American SOL
diers, sailors and marines already had
assembled and gave their French brothers
in arms hearty welcome.
The American troops were under the
command of Major General s. M. B.
Young and embraced a battalion OF en-
! gineers. a battalion of sailors and ma
rines, with the Marine Band a battalion
of cavalry and of field artillery and a
| .-i. =
District of Columbia, representing in all
the various branches the United States
military and naval service.
| President Roosevelt and the members
of his cabinet arrived at the reviewing
stand shortly before II o'clock and took
position Immediately facing the draped
| figure
Roosevelt Speaks.
| The President spoke as folows
Mr. Am bassador and You. the Repre-
sentatives of the Mighty Republic of
France: l extend to you. on behalf of
| the people of the United States, the
warmest and most cordial greeting We
| appreciate fully all that is implied In
| this embassy. composed of such men as
those who have been sent by President
| Loubet' to commemorate the unveiling of
| the statute of the great marshal, who
| with the soldiers and sailors of France
struck the decisive blow in the war which
started this country on the path of in
| dependence among the nations of the
| earth. (Applause).
Mr.. Ambassador, the American people
peculiarly because they are American
people and because the history Of the
| United States has been so interviewer
with what France has done for us; also
because they are proud of the whole
world which acknowledges and must ever
| acknowledge In peculiar degree the
headship of France along so many lines
In the march of progress and civilization
| the American people through me extend
| their thanks to you and in their name ]
| beg to express my Acknowledgements to
| the embassy that has come here and to
| President Loubet and all of the French
| nation, both for the deed and magnani-
| nous spirit that laid behind the doing
| of the deed, and thank you" cloud ap-
plause).
Drew Aside the, Veil.
As the President closed his remarks tho
Countess De Rochambeau drew aside the
vail enveloping the figure bringing into
view the massive bronze proportions of
the famous French commander standing
proudly erect with arms outstretched,
directing the fortunes of war on the field
of Yorktown. A great cheer went up from
Frenchmen and Americans alike and at
the same instant the Marine Band broke
into the inspiring strains of the Marseil-
laise. 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, speaking
In French, delivered a brilliant address
Following the French ambassador, Cen
eral Horace Porter, the Unit ed States
ambassador to France, @General Brugere
spoke in French, saying In part:
MY first and most agreeable duty Ii to
thank the government of the United
States on behalf of the French mission
for having invited the French nation to
participate in these imposing exercises
which can but strengthen the bonds of
friendship uniting the two nations.
When France took active part In
the war of Independence. right and lib
erty were at stake; the cause was just
and sacred. l do not wish to underrate
the value of the material and moral aid
which the troops under Rocnambeau and