New-York tribune., 1910-12-08
UNVE|L STEUbEN STATUE
Miss Helen Taft Releases Flags
Covering Monument.
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT
He Tells How Much Country
Owes to Aid of Raron-Ger-
man Ambassador Speaks.
From The Tribune Bureau.

Washington. Dee I'm the presence of
a large and distinguished gathering Miss
Helen Taft this afternoon pulled the siken
cord which released the two large Aneri-
can flags covering the monument erected
By the American people to General Baron
Won Steuben. Of Revolutionary fame. Presi-
dent Taft, accompanied by Mrs. Taft and
Miss Taft and the White House military
and naval aids, was escorted to and from
the Urveiling exercises by Troop 3 of the
18th United States Cavalry. The Secretary
of War presided at the ceremonies and
the German Ambassador, Representative
Bsrtholdt and Dr. Charles J. Hexauer.
president of the National German-Ameri-
can Alliance. delivered addresses
Following the address of Count j Fl.
Won Bernstorff, the German Ambassador,
the statue was unveiled, while Battery z
of the Sd Field Artillery fred a salute of
thirteen guns and the members Of the
North Eastern Singers Association sang
THE Star Spangied Banner" the Marine
Band playing the accompaniment: The
base of the monument was completely hid
den by wreaths and lunches of flowers.
The Rev DR.. Charles T. Steck said the
opening prayer and the Rev. Dr.. William
T Russell pronounced the benediction
Every branch of the American army and
navy was represented in the unusually
long parade which followed the unveiling.
Representatives from all the large Ger
man-American associations in the Atlantic
states. including six hundred from New
York took part in the parade.
The effect of Steuben's instruction IN
the American army said President Taft
in the course of his address. teaches US
a lesson that it is well for US all TO keep in
mind and that is that no people, however
warlike in spirit and ambition, in natural
courage and self-cofidence. can be made at
once by uniforms and guns. a military
force Until they learn drill and discipline
they are mob, and the theory that they
can be made an army over night has cost
this nation billions of dollars and thou
sands OF lives
The statue TO General Baron von Steuben
was erected at a cost of $4,000 approprl-
sted hv act Of Congress approved February
%. 1908 The model submitted by Albert
Jaegers, of New York, was selected by a
committee of experts headed by the late
Augustus St Gaudens. and shows the gen
eraI standing on an eninence inspecting
the great mandauvres Of 177S, He is heav-
lily cloaked to endure the hardships OF the
rigorous winter campaign at Valley Forge
The sash is reminiscent of his service on
the staff of Frederick the Great; his hand
lightly at rest on the hilt of his sword, he
is following with keen interest the unfold
ing movement of the troops.
4 group. Military Instruction" on one
side Of the pedestal. represents Baron Won
Steuben's life work, the work for which
this nation honors and remembers him
the drilling and training of the American
army An experienced soldier is shown in
structing youth in the use of the sword
On the opposite side is group Com
menoration.'' which depicts America teach
ing youth 10 honor the memory of her
heroes. a foreign branch is grated into
the tree of her national life. She Yields TO
her heart the foreigner who has lent his
life and fortune TO the veal and woe of
her people, embodying the idea of unity
and fraternity Of all nationaIities under
the guidance of a great republic.