Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-08
PRESIDENT PAYS TRIBUTE
To GERMAN SOLDIER
Ceremonies Are Held at Monument
Erected in Lafayette Square in
Honor of the Brave War Leader in
Fioht for Freedom of United States.
Ten Thousand in Line of March.

,By Associated trcAr)
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Dec. Am
other statue, erected in honor OF
distinguished foreign soldier, who
helped bring success to American
arms in the revolution. was unveiled
in Lafayette Square today. and hlied
the last OF the four corners in this
beautiful park facing the White
House. At the other three corners
stand The heroic bronze figures OF La
Fayette. Rochambeau and kosciusko.
German Americans gathered from
all parts OF thescountry TO participate
in the imposing military and civic
parade and in the unwilling ceremo-
MES. Pre- ident Taft paid high tribute
10 Won Steuben for his work in bring
ing efficiency TO the American arms.
Miss Helen Taft. the Presidents
daughter, pulled the silken cords
which released the American fiags
draped about the statue. Count Won
Bernstorff. the German ambas sador.
Representative Richard Bartholdt. of
ST. Louis. and Charles Hexamer, pres
ident of the German-American ALI
ance. delivered addresses in which
they recoupied the services of Won
Steuben. Secretary of War Dickinson
presided.
impressive Scene.
The scene at the unwilling was one
of unLsuA impressiveBess. LaFay-
cite Park lay deep in snow. but the
brilliant winter sun was shining from
cloudless sky. An amphitheatre OF
flag draped stands had been erected
about The statue and from scores OF
STATS German and American flags
were flying. Soldiers. sailors and
marines were drawn up in the streets
adjacent 10 the square. President
Taft's advent was heralded by blast
of trnfnpets and he was escorted from
the White House by a troop OF cav
airy.
Ten Thousand In March.
As Hiss Taft pulled the unwilling
cord, a signal flashed TO the Wash
ington monument grounds soon was
answered by a roar of a cannon sa-
Lutte. The cord leading to the fias
draping the statue became fast in
some manner. Miss Taft had TO tug
at IL for some time and finally IL
DTOhe. several cc-iOAS itcnC0 AOt
ward and soon carried the flags away.
In the parade which followed the IN
yelling. 10000 men. soldiers, sailors
and civilians marched.
President Taft's address in part
follows:
I'VE dedicate today the last Of the
monuments which fiil the four corn
ers of this beautiful square and which
testify to the gratitude of the Ameri-
can people to those from France.
from Poland and from Prussia. who
aided them in their striskgle for ma
tional independence and existence
LAFAYETTE. Rochambeau. Kos ciusko
and Won Steuben contributed much 10
the success of American arms in the
revolution. The assistance of the first
three was of perhaps more ccnspic-
uous and spectacular than that Of
Won Steuben. but il wa not so vaiua-
bic. Won Steuben was a trained sol
der from boyhood.
Brought Discipline
..~Baron Won Sfeuben came TO this
country. ac,uafed by the highest mo-
lives Of patriotism. 20 help US achieve
liberty. and he brought with him that
which was without money and with
out price and which he infBsed into
the rank and file Of the revolutionary
arrry--discipline and organization.
The effect Of Sreuben's instruction
in the American army teaches rs a
lesson that Il Is well for Us al TO Keep
in mind and that is that no people.
however. warlike in spirit and smbi-
ton. in natural cour&sc and seis-con-
adence. can be nace al once. by uni.
forms and guns military force. Unsii
they learn drill and di,cipiine they
are a mob. and the theory that they
can be made an army II has cost this
nation billions Of dollars sndfthou-
sands q lives
The history OF Won Steutrn's life
shows hun kindly. cons iderate.
brave and ACCOMPLISHED soldier.
WIN Baron Steuben came 10 this
country he found Germans e. had
precrded him and who. like him. had
elected 10 make this their permanent
home. Since MS day. miilicns Of bis
uounfryrpeh have come 70 - Amer.
cans. and u adds great infere.f -
our celebration. and crrhasizes the
propriety Of the action Of couxress n
erecting this statue. TO know that she
German rscc since the revolution. has
made - large a part of our popuis-
ton ard rlaycd 80 prominent a PAR
n fbe Great growth and development
/ - - r.IIr.nfrr