Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-07

Blue Point, N. ", July G.-With the
arrival of President Taft, Ambassador
Jusserand of France; Ambassador
Bryce of Great Britain; Secretary of
War Dickinson and Vice Admiral Uriu
of japan the celebration of the Booth
anniversary Of the discovery of Lake
| Champaign, which had been confined
during the past two days to the states
OF New York and Vermont, today took
on an international scope, and really
a Worldwide Importance, for Ambas-
| sador Jusserand and Bryce and Pres
idert Taft all committed their respec-
tive countries to policies of peace and
in the shadow of an old fortress which
had witnessed some of the bloOdieSt
battles in all history they expressed
the hope that never again would the
peace among the great nations of the
world be Interrupted by war.
The President and the other dstin-
guished guests had an afternoon of in
terest from the moment of their ar
rival at go p. Nj. by special train
from Albany. The President and the
ambassadors and the members of their
statfs were shown through the historic
ulIlS vi olu IL DIS Tic EdllNtS tGtli
Fort Ticonderoga, which is now in
course of restoration. There was his
toric 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 reVolutiOnists
A heavy rain fell during the morn
ing over the Lake Champlain country.
threatening postponement of some Of
the outdoor features and left the steep
roads leading up to Fort Ticonderoga
dangerously slippery. After the Pres
ident had inspected the fort and had
enjoyed the view of the lake from its
commanding position he proceeded to
the srandstand which stood half way
down the hill, and which was surround
ed by several thousand people. Tho
cheering OF the people as the Presi-
dents automobile was seen coming
coming down the steep incline was
suddenly changed to a tense silence
when the big machine, it's wheels lock-
ed by the brakes, but slipping over the
treachercus surface began to skid to-
ward the edge of the roadway. The
chauffeur quickly got the car under
control, however and the danger was
over in an instant. The President was
the least concerned of any person in
the large throng.
An afternoon shower came up follow
ing the ceremonies at the stand and the
President had to walk a quarters of a
mile or more in the rain to the boat,
which, after a 20-mile sail up the lake
landed its distinguished passengers at
Fort Henry, where the special train
again was boarded for the trip to Bluff
Point and Hotel Champaign, where the
President and the other guests are
uuartered The President seemed rath
er to enjoy the shower than otherwise.
During his ride up the lake the rain
stopped and the sun shone again.
The President roamed here and there
about the big steamer, the Ticonderoga.
and finally, gathering up Messrs. Bryce
and Jusserand, Governor Hughes of New
York and Governor Prouty of Vermont,
all hands repaired to the spacious pilot
house, where they met the captain and
sat for nearly an hour enjoying the
changing panorama of water and noun
tairs. The President was the guest to-
hight at dinner of Walter Witherbee on
the latter's houseboat. which is anchored
in the lake of this point. There, for the
first time on the trip, the President met
his son, Robert A. Taft, and his daugh-
ter, Miss Helen, who have been guests of
the Witherbees for several days.
Tomorrow the scene of the celebration
shifts to Plattsburg, where the President
NIB hr;af cd
where Senator Elihu Root will deliver
the historical Grafton of the celebration
Mr.. Taft will take back with him to
Washington several relics from "Old tt
which We're given him today. Among
these were an ancient key and the head
lof an Indian tomahawk.
Ambassador Jusserand in his speech
was most felicitous in his expression of
peace and good will toward America, to-
ward Great Britain and toward all the
world. He referred with much feeling to
the fact that France ard Great Britain
soon are to celebrate the completion of
100 years of peace.
Ambassador Bryce took up this theme
and declared that although he was sur
rounded by martial scenes and men of
arms. he, himself. was a man of peace.
Not until I visited the old fort yonder
today" said Mr. Bryce, "did I realize how
many memories cluster around it's ruins.
But cannot but believe its creator meant
this beautiful spot for something else
than fighting, and / trust that it will
never see fighting again"
Ambassador Bryce declared that the
English and the French in the fighting
about Ticonderoga found each other wor-
thy foes. And while he admired them
he said, for their courage in the cause
they went forth to fight for, he hoped
they would never, never do it again.