Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-12-08
Taft Pays High Tribute to German
Whose Military knowledge Made
American Arms Proficient.
HELEN TAFT RELEASES FLAG
Daughter of the President Frees
Figure Of Draperiss.
ADDRESS BY THE AMBASSADOR
Ksiser's Representativa Recognizes
Bond Between Two Countries.
MONUMENT OF REAL FRIENDSHIP
statue More Thnn Mere Testimonial
% ReEaTd for One Man--steuben
Not Adventure, Bnt Defender .
Of IAbc-ts.

81 Idbcr-t;.
wAsHINGTON. Dec. 7.--Another statue
erected In honor OF a distinguished for
eign soldier who helped bring success to
American arms in the revolution, was un-
yelled today and filled the last Of the
four corners In. Lafayette Square facing
the white House At the other three cor
mere stand the heroic bronze figures ot
lafayette. Rochambeau and Eosciuszt-
German-Americsns gathered from ali
parts Of tho country 20 participate IN the
imposing military and civic parade ana
ceremonies. President Taft paid high
tribute 70 Won steuuen for his work in
bringing efficiency TO the American arms.
Miss Helen Taft, tho presidents daugh-
ter, released the American flags draped
about the statue. Count Won Bernstorff,
the German ambassador; Representative
Richard Bartholdt OF st. Louis Mo-, and
Charles Hexamer president Of the Ger
man-American alliance, delivered ad-
dresses IN which they recounted the ser
vices Of Won steuben. Secretary Of War
Dickinson presided.
unveiIfnE sceac Impressive.
The soene AZ the unvelling was one OF
unusual fninressiveness. Lafayette park
lay deep In snow. but overhead brilliant
winter snn was shining from a cloudless
skv. An amph!theater OF flag drapeo
utarda had been erected about the statue
and from scores OF etaffs German and
American fiaes were flying. Soldiers, sail
ors and marines were drawn up In the
streeta adiacent 10 the square. President
rats advent was heraided by a blast OF
trumpets and he was escorted from the
White House by troop Of cavalry.
President Taft's remarks follow
eve dedicate today the last Of the monu-
nentg which ill the four corners of this
beautifui square and which testify to the
gratitude OF the American people to those
from France, from Poland and from
Prussia who aided them IN their struggle
for national Independence and existence,
Lafayette Roehambeau, Kosciuszko ana
Won steuben contributed much TO the sue
cess of American arms In the revolution
The asHlatance Of the first three ives per
hapus more eOnspicnous and speetacViAl
than that OF Won steuben, but/it was not
20 valuable.
Won stouben Trained soldier.
wan steuben, q trained soldier, learned
his profession IN the best Of schools that
a. actual warfare. The character ana
severity OF the drill and discipline OF the
Geruan army we're as excePdonal N the
DAYS OF Frederick william and OF Freder'cN
the Great as they are today
.'Baron Won steuben infused into the
rank and file Of the revolutionary army
discipline and organization
"The eject OF Won steubens instruction IN
the American army teaches us lesson
that ia well for US all TO keep In MIND
and that Is that no people, however war
ike in spirit and ambition In natural
courage ana sslf-oonfidence, can be mace
AZ once by uniforms and guns military
forca Until they learn 20 drill and disci-
milne. they are q mob and the theory thAl
they can be made an army over night mas
cost thts nation billions of dollars and
thousands Of lives.
,,YaTh,ngton, that calm, sane. Just judge
OF men. recognized fully the debt that he
ana the army OF the people owed to Won
steuben, and II gratifying ~ know that
he gave his evldeace as he laid down his
command OF the army in e. letter fun OF ex-
pressions OF gratitude to his comrade In
arms whose important sjd al a critical
iuncturs he fully appreciated
when Baron steuben came TO this coun-
try he found Germans who had preceded
him and who. like him, had elected 10
make this their permanent home. Since his
day millions OF his eountrymen have come
10 be Americans and it emphasizes the
proprIsty OF the action Of congress in erect
ing this statue to know that the German
race since the revolution has played so
prominent a part in the great growth and
development OF our country.
1T is particularly appropriate that there
Is present the German ambassador, the per
sonai representative of the nlustrious sue
cessor Of Frederick the Great"
address os German Ambassador.
Count Johann Heinrich Won Bernstein,
the German ambassador in his address
said
Il highly appreciate the honor and priyi-
leRs OF appearing before and addressing
thiA Imposing gathering after having had
the pleasure OF hearing the eloquent speech
made BY the president Many defendants
Of the old Gersaan stock who have found
new home in this hospltshle country and
now form q natural bond OF an ever in
Creasing friendship between Germany and
the United states, have come to washing,
ton today to do honor 20 tbe memory OF
one OF the most distinguished oc their
number at the foot OF his statue, which
is also the work OF an American citizen
Of German descent. ! am therefore very
pleased 10 be able 10 regard this mouu-
ment not only as one erected TO the Wemor-
o. distinguished German officer, who ably
served this country, but also as a moUu-
ment 20 the unbroken friendship which
has existed between Germany and the
United states since the birth of the people
OF the United States as q nation. Iu those
days the great king from whom Steu6en
learned the art Of war issued l.is order
refusing transit through Prussian terri
tory 20 the Hessian and othei German
troops hired 10 fight against the colonists.
Frederick the Great was also one OF tine
first 70 recosniEe the independence Of the
colonies By concluding treaty of com
H.ercs with the United states. This mouu-
ment viii al the more be token Of the
Old friendship existing betweea the Two
great nations, as the United states COM
gress besides municficently providing for
De erection of this statue. has decided 20
esent q copy OF IL 20 the emperor Here
~ in Germany whoever regards one OF