New-York tribune., 1909-07-07
MIR. TAFT AT "OLD I'll"
SPEAKS FOR PEACE
HOPES CH1MPLAIN MAY
NOT SEE VAR 1G4IN.
ambassadors Bryce and Jasseran3
Echo Sentiment for an Era of
international Good Feeling.

piuil FClHIr = l., July with the arrival
of President Taft of Ambassador Jusserand OF
France; Ambassador Bryce of Great Britain:
Secretary Dickinson and Vice-AGmira1 Urtu. "
Japan. the celebration of the 300th anniversarv
of the discovery of Lake Chemplaia. which lad
been confined in the last two days to the states
of New York and Vermont. to day took on in
ternationaI interest Ambassadors Jusserand
and Bryce and President Taft all committed
their respective countries to policies Of peace.
and. in the shadow of an old fortress which had
witnessed some of the 1ereezt battles in his
tory they expressed the hope that never again
would the good feeling among the great nations
of the world he interrupted by a war
The President and the other distinguished
guests had an afternoon of continuing interest
from the moment Of their arrival at 80 O'Clock
by special train from Albany The President
arrived at Albany from Norwich Conn. and
New York. the French Ambassador from Wash
ington and the British Ambassador from Ienox
Mass The various cars then were made into
one train for the run to old Fort TicOnderoga
where the principal celebration Of the day was
held. The President and the ambassadors and
the members Of their stats were shown through
the historic ruins Of ~OId IT," as the natives
can tne StrOngnOld which IS now in OF
restoration There was historic interest in the
old place alike for the representatives Of Great
Britain. of France and the United states for
the rocky promontory was held in turn by the
French, the English and the American RevoIu-
tionists
MANY RELICS ON VIEW
Some of the old cannon we're in place today,
and hundreds of rusty relics were on view.
Of Of
Indian conflicts; others were links of history
leading back To the fights OF NIOntcaIn Aber-
crOmbie and Amherst, to the famous taking u
the place by a band of eighty-three American
cOlonIsts under General Ethan Allen. and TO
naval battles which helped TO make famous the
waters Of the lake discovered three centuries
ago by Samuel ChampIain Below the fort. on
the placid waters Of the lake. and set among a
fotilla of modern naval vessels OF the smaller
classes. was a reproduction of Champlain's lit
tie caravel. the Don de Dieu
A heavy rain that fell during the morning
the Lake ChampIain country Threatened q
postponement of some OF the outdoor features
and left the steep roads leading up Fort
TicOnderoga from the water Level dangerously
slippery. After the President had inspected the
fort and had enjoyed the view Of the lake from
its commanding position he proceeded to the
grandstand. which stood halfway down the hilI
and which was surrounded by several thousand
persons.
AUTOMOBILE SKIDS-
The cheering Of the people as the Presidents
automobile was seen coming down the steep in
cline suddenly changed 20 tense silence
when the big machine. its wheels locked by the
brakes but slipping over the treacherOus sur
face. began to skid toward the edge Of the road
way. The chauffeur quickly got the car under
control however. and the danger was over in
an instant. The President was the least con-
cerned OF any person in the throns.
A shower came up following the ceremonies at
the stand and the President had 10 walk a
quarter of mile or more in the rain to the
boat which after twenty-mile sail up the
lake landed its passengers at Port Henry.
where the special train again was boarded Cor
the trip to Bluff Point and the Hotel ChampIaIn.
where the President and the other guests are
staying
The President seemed rather to enjoy the
shower than otherwise. He was provided with
an umbrella, and. walking alone behind Captain
Butt his military aid. held the umbrella over
himself with hand while he acknowledged
cheers and applause along the way by lifting his
hat with the other To reach the boat from the
home Of s H P PeIL the owner of the estate
upon which the old fort is situated and where
the President had stopped for a brief call and
Il
rocky and steep path. but not once did ne lose
his footing
During the ride up the lake the rain stopped
and the sun shone again The President roaned
here and there about the big steamer. the Ticon-
deroga and finally gathering up Ambassadors
Bryce and Jusserand. Governor Hughes Of New
York and Governor Prouty of Vermont they all
repaired to the spacious pilot house. where they
met the captain and sat for nearly an hour en-
mountains.
The President was the guest tonight at din
ner of Walter Witherbee on the Iatter's house
boat which is anchored in the lake OF this
point There. for the first time the trip. the
President met his son. Robert A. Taft. and his
daughter Helen who have been guests OF the
Witherbees for several days.
At PLATTSBURG TO-DAY.
The scene of the celebration shifts to Platts-
b,,re tomorrow where the President again viii
make a brief address and where Senator Elihu
Root will deliver the historical grafton OF the
celebration. Mr. Taft will take back with him
10 washington several relics from "Old II
which we're given to him to-day. Among these
we're an ancient key and the head Of an Indian
tomahawk-
Ambassador Jusserand in his speech this az
ternoon was most feIcitous in his expression OF
Daace and good will toward America. toward
Great Britain and toward all the world He
referred with much feeling to the fact that
E-rance and Great Britain soon are to celebrate
the completion of one hundred years Of peace
Ambassador Bryce took up this theme. and
declared that although he was surrounded BY
martial scenes and men of arms. he hinselS
was a man of peace
Not until I visited the old fort yOnder to-
day." said Mr. Bryce. did l realize how many
memories cluster around its ruins. but cannot
but believe it's creator meant this beautiful