The Press., 1902-05-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.

washington, May 26, 1902.
A brilliant intermingling Of the flags of
France and the United States, the march, |
ing In the same column of the soldiers
and the marines of the two nations, and
a medley of the "Marseillaise" and the
'Star Spangled Banner" marked the ded- |
ication of the statue of the Count de
Rochambeau on Lafayette square last
Saturday. On the platform erected for
the occasion there gathered about Presi- |
dent Roosevelt the French guests who
have come to this country to participate
In this auspicious ceremony, and the rep
resentatives of the many foreign nations
who have embassies or legations In Wash
ington. Members of the supreme court,
senators and representatives added by
their presence to the brilliance of the as
semblage, while the Marine band, which
was out in full strength, and the French
band from the war-ship "Gaulois'' fur
nished inspiriting music.
1t was just 11.3O, when, after brief
welcome by the president, the Marine
hand struck up the Marseillaise," and
the Countess Rochambeau stepped for
ward and drew the cord which let fall the
French and American flags and disclosed
the statue of the hero, who came to the
relief of Washington in the hour of his
need, bringing with him 200 men to bat
tie in the cause of freedom. AS the dra-
foil ho
monument battery of artillery doomed
on the White lot and the soldiers pre-
sented arms, the guests cheered and there
was general hand-shaking. Following
the unveiling Senator Lodge delivered al
beautiful oration, and then the president
and the distinguished party of visitors re-
viewed the soldiers and marines, the Ma
rine band playing the ''Star Spangled
Banner"
Hardly had the last strains of martial
music died away when the president, re.
turning to the White House, received the
official notification of the death of Lord
Pauncefote, British ambassador to the
United States. Immediately the flags
were ordered at half-mast, and in marked
contrast to the gayety which had marked
the morning hours were the exchanges of
condolences and the somber tones in
which all spoke of the sudden demise OF
the dean of the diplomatic corps. Lord
Pauncefote, who had been accredited to
Washington since 1898, was extremely
popular in Washington. In manner he
was both democratic and affable, and at
all large public and social functions he
had been seen and in all charitable un-
dertakings he had taken an active part,
while his advice and counsel had been of
material aid to the younger diplomats.
1t was through his efforts that the gen.
eral arbitration treaty between the United
States and Great Britain was effected,
and what he regarded as the crowning
work of his diplomatic career, the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, was brought about by
him and Secretary Hay with finished d.
plomacy. 1t had been his ambition to
negotiate treaty which would forever
settle the Alaskan boundary problem and
the seal fishery question, and it was for
that reason that he entered on third
term In Washington, Notwithstanding the
fact that he was already seventy four
years old and was entitled to retirement
at seventy. He will be succeeded as dean
of the diplomatic corps by Herr Won Hol-
leben, the German ambassador.
| The most notable event of the week In
the senate was the speech on the Philip
pine bill delivered by Senator Hoar, and
which both his followers and opponents
conceded to have been remarkably elo-
quent Grafton. The scene which was pre-
sented as the venerable old man appealed
to his colleagues In the most feeling terms
was extremely dramatic and picturesque,
and the pathos which he injected into
some of the passages was remarkable.
Other notable speeches of the past week
have been those of Senators Bacon and
Beverldge. So far as l can ascertain
there still remain to be delivered speeches
by Senators Patterson, Burrows, Spooner
Bailey, Pettus and Clay. When these
gentlemen have spoken the measure will
be considered under the fifteen minute
rule, and understand number of amend.
ments will be accepted by Senator Lodge
manager of the bill. The hope that the
bill will be disposed of by the end of the
month has ''gone glimmering."
Illustrative of the methods which some
senator's have to adopt in order to secure
needed public buildings, a good story Ii
told of Senator Mitchell of Oregon. Wher
Senator Hoar concluded his speech in the
senate on Thursday two bells sounded
through the senate end of the capitol
that being the signal for recess, soma
thing seldom taken. Inquiry revealed
the fact that the United States senate hal
taken a recess to discuss the merits of
6O-pound Oregon salmon, over which Sen
ator Mitchell was to preside as host
The salmon proved to be all that tn,
host had hoped, and as result, 1t /.
said, the senate will promptly and unani
mously pass bill for public building
at Portland, which by some Oversight
failed to get In as an amendment to th'
omnibus public buildings bill. There Il
) absolutely nothing ishy about this stor.
except the salmon.
Since the passage OF the naval appro
4 priation bill the house of representative
3 has enacted no important bills, but 1t ha
. accomplished large amount of routin
. work. On Friday the house passed 10
pension bills and then adjourned unit
t to-day, In order that the members Nigh
q be free to attend the Rochambeau statu
: exercises.
The action of the president, taken o.
Friday, abolishing the rule by which tn