New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-14
MR.. TAFT GIVES DIPLOMAS.
VEST POINT EYERCISES.
NJ. Jusserard, General Chafee and
Eu-Gouernor Murphy Speak.
[sr TELEGRAPH TO rHn rnrsUNr.l


beauty. in which brilliant uniforms. glittering
swords and other military gear were set off
rather than eoetened by the hardly less martial
rain,ent of the feminine visitors, the class of
1905 was to-day graduated from the Military
Academy, and score of distinguished generals,
active and retired. headed by Lieutenant Gen.
erals Chaffee and Miles and Major General John
R. Brooks welcomed the future commanders
into the army. Secretary Taft formally pre-
scented each cadet thu hard earned diploma and
tn. French Ambassador, M. Jusserand, speaking
as a French soldier, recalled the ancient COM
radeship existing between the soldiers of the
nations of washington and Lafayette and the
memories of that comradeship associated with
yvezt Point Ex-Governor Franklin Murphy of
New-Jersey spoke briefly, as chairman Of the
Visiting Board. These few addresses. the per-
Torrance of the band and the part played by
the hundreds of admring fathers, mothers. rela-
tsxes and visitors constituted the whole Of the
simple ceremony which attended the admission
of ia cadets large, put not the iafse6t o4aeS
that has been graduated
The exercises took place on the lawn. tent
covering q small platform sheltered the special
s,,.s+s ,vtile the visitors sat in a wide semi
circle around the graduating class under the
shade trees near the barracks
On The platform, besides the superintendent of
fhe academy Brigadier General A l.. Mills, the
French Ambassador, the Secretary of War and
Lieutenant General Chaffee, chief OF staff, were
Lieutenant General Miles, retired. who came to
witness the graduation of his son Sherman;
Major Generals Brooke and Webb and Brigadier
Generals Barlow, Page, Dunwoody, CIous. Has
broucls and Griffin. The retired officers were
all in civilian dress and the most conspicuous
personage on the platform was the attaohe OF
the Brazilian Embassy. Major Pederneiras, who
wore a huge white helmet adorned with black
plume a scarlet coat with many green facings
and huge cavalry boots. The civilian guests in
Guided the visiting board, headed by ex-Gover-
nor Murphy Of New-Jersey.
The brief exercises were simple. Prayer by
the chaplain and music by the band were fol-
lowed by the address Of Ex-Governor Murphy,
who prefaced his remarks with a brief comment
that he recognized that the cadets were 1.-THE
real thing and the whole show at the cere-
mony. Mr. Murphy directed a laugh at Score
tary Taft by describing him as "a man who
had, despite the handicap of being handsome,
risen to be a good Judge, excellent governor
Of distant territory and finally en- efficient
Secretary Of War. However distinguished this
career has been, 7 am told that II has only
begun. and will go much farther" he added.
amid general applause. Ex-Governor Murphy
| congratulated the cadets on the presence of Gen.
eraI -Chaffee. "Ki. record and his face will
mean much to you IN memory" said he "as
well as his record Of duty performed, his face
scanned with the storm and stress Of many
services" The speaker closed with a brief ap-
| peal to the cadets to honor the flag they were
now to serve
Lieutenant General Chaffee spoke next. Walk
ing to the edge of the platform he stood looking
into the faces of the cadets for few seconds
and then said with absolute informality: GOOD
morning, gentlemen of the class OF 1905" He
reminded the class that they had already learned
their duties and declared that he meant to speak
10 them about their responsibilities. Then he
launched into blunt, soldierlike warning
against the carelessness in handling government
funds and property which he described as prev
alent among young officers and the cause of
much unhappiness and distress in the army. He
closed his remarks thus:
And now. young gentlemen, 7 want to con-
graduate you and say that I bring a well
come to you, welcome from the whole army.
rank and file. in camp. on post and beyond seas.
You are now of them and they interested In
your welfare.
Ambassador Jusserand spoke next. After
acknowledging the hearty applause that greeted
him, he said In part:
The previous speakers have made me very
happy by their references to French wishes.
French wishes usually good wishes, such
wishes Will bring luck to you American oni-
GERS I cannot help remembering the first occa-
sion ON which French wishes were expressed on
this very spot, expressed by a French officer,
Iafayette TO the head OF your army, the founder
OF your Republic to George washington More
over young gentlemen wish to claim kinship
with you Like every Frenchman too belong
TO the army and yet may not claim brother
hood for did 1 serve IN the army now my rank
would be a second class private and that means
not first class private. daughter and ap-
plause.l
You are about to begin life OF g. sacred char
acter The material with which you will deal Il
prectouS-Inore precious than gold. Your ma
tsrial II man, tho plain American soldier. Yours