Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-24

here to testify her feeling: the foreign rep
resentatives of the nations of the world.
Included in this number were, of course.
eminent men of armies and navits of
France and the United States. President
Roosevelt. accompanied by his cabinet and
escorted by a guard of honor of nine Min.
ute Men, commanded by Gen. T. II. Nc
kee, arrived at the stand just few min
uteS before the time for the exercises to be-
gin and took his seat amid the applause of
the guests in the stands and the multitude.
The Presidents escort wore continental
uniforms and suggested the time when
Rochambeau and his brave soldiers marched
and fought on the soil of the country the
people of which were then paying tribute
to the memory of the French leader. Other
detachments of the Minute Men surrounded
the base of the statue. which was guarded
by sailors and marines of the two nations
participating in the ceremonies. Two sail
ors were from the French battle ship eau
lois. while the marines belonged to the navy
OF the United States.
The two other Sandstone on the east ard
the other on the west side of the statue
were filled, and crowds stood around in
front OF them. To the three stands sur
rounding the yelled statue the admission
was limited cards being required, and off,
GERS prevented entrance of those not 7ro-
vided with authority. On the streets near
by, wherever people were allowed to stand.
there was constantly increasing and much
absorbed crowd. From the windows and
balconies of the houses overlooking the
scene of the ceremonies hundreds of per-
looked upon the yelled figure and the scene
below. Later they looked with eagerness
upon the quickly changing features of the
program. the execution of which had
brought two great countries officially and
historically closer together.
Several light falls of rain interfered little
with the ceremonies. One of these occur
red while Ambassador Cambon was speak
ing. Umbrellas were raised and those
without protection submitted to the damp
ening process without attempt to get away.
The scene was too full of attraction for an
ordinary rainfall to run anybody home. The
atmosphere itself was sticky, and the light
rains brought no greater discomfort than
was existing.
The place for the monument was wisely
selected, but as a location for a crowd to
witness such historical event 1t was not
good. The consequence was that thousands
of persons contented themselves with lining
the streets for blocks along the line of the
military parade to follow the ceremonies.
The few thousands who could crowd into
suitable spots around the statue did so. and
were rewarded by witnessing scene of
splendor and consequence.
The speeches in French gave interest to
the proceedings rather than detracted from
them. The French speakers talked with
the liveiness of manner and characteristic
delivery that adds charm to the spoken
utterances of the people of that nation.
Their brilliant uniforms contributed to the
imposing features of the day.
The stand on which the exercises took
Of the United States and France, the col
ors of the two countries being intertwined
throughout the place
The fags draped about the monument
were released by the Countess de Rocham-
beau. who pulled the cords. The drapery
parted gracefully and the statue stood re-
vealed.
A great shout arose as Rochambeau's
figure stood out clear and commanding.
President Roosevelt led in the applause.
A Slight Hitch.
The immense covering of the monument
did not fall to the ground. but chung to the
bronze piece in Rochambeaus left hand.
This represented the plans of the battle of
Yorktown French and American sailors
and marines stationed at the foot of the
monument seized the ground ends of the
flag and endeavored to pull 1t from the
bronze scroll that fastened it.
While the pulling and twisting was Wig
orously going on President Roosevelt arose
and called to the uniformed men to cease
their efforts. They did SO, and the drap-
cry remained clinging to the monument
when the exercises were ended.
The incident was not without sentiment
to President Roosevelt. The tenacious hold
ing of the colors of the United States to
the statue of the French soldier suggested
sentimental thoughts in many minds.
Assistant Secretary Peirce presented the
| sculptor of the monument, M. Hamar, who
| bowed to the cordial greetings of the spec
| tators.