New Britain herald., 1914-05-11
NATION PAYS TRIBUTE
 TO NAVY HEROES Silent Thousands View Procession in Honor Of Vera Cruz Dead. SEVENTEEN ELABORATED C0ffINS

President Wilson, Sec. Daniels, Gov.
 Glynn, Senators, Congressmen and
 Blueiackets Participate in Funeral
 New York, May 1.-The dead from Vera Cruz were landed on American soil today and city, state and nation paid their tribute.
 Two hours before the city was astir, seventeen fag-draped cof- fins were removed from the boat deck of the armored cruiser Montana and placed on caissons on the plaza in Battery Park. Few witnessed this ceremony for the sun was but half risen; but thousands later lined the streets to watch the slow procession wind it's way to the navy yard. Perhaps not since the Dewey parade has there been such a spon- taneous demonstration.
 President Wilson Arrives.
 President Wilson arrived in the city from Washington shortly after o'clock almost unobserved. He was driven immediately to the home of
 
 Battery to take a place in the pro- cession It had at first been ar ranged that the president was to go to the navy yard to receive the na- tion's dead on Government ground but at the last moment MT. Wilson changed his mind and was driven to the Bat tesv so as to participate in the cere- monies from the beginning to end. Yl> L. fkA~ fhra heroic dead were upon gun caissons, police had lined the way and the pro- cession was ready to move.
 Bluejackets in Line.
 Twenty-four picked mounted police led the way. Behind them were the combined bands of the dreadnoughts Wyoming and Texas. and behind the bands six hundred bluejackets from these ships.
 Next came the collins, in single file. At the side of each rode a policeman, and at the corner of each caisson trudged national guardsman. The Stars and Stripes alone covered the caskets. Behind the last caisson came the carriages bearing the president, secretary of the navy, senators, con- gressmen and representatives of the state and city With President Wilson were Dr. Grayson, his physician and Secretary Tumulty.
 Very Pathetic Scene.
 Never had the Battery witnessed such a scene as todays. Noiselessly, almost, tugs nosed up to Pier A, and with precision that is the navy's, the seventeen dead were landed, grouped on the caissons, and the b1uejackets who were to march be- gan to assemble The men from the Texas came by tug from the navy yard whence their ship was to sail later in the day for Mexican waters. The Wyoming men came ashore in their own boats. It was the Wyom- ing that conveyed the funeral ship in- to the harbor yesterday.
 The cortege began to move at g o'clock, the ships band playing g. funeral march, bluejackets with arms reversed. The crowd stood silent and with barred heads. Through the sky scraper canyon of lower Broadway, past old Trinity church and into the city hall plaza the procession passed.
 The stock exchange was closed in honor of the dead, as were other ex- changes in the city. In the schools special exercises were carried out
 Rides With President.
 At the city hall Mayor Mitchell, af- ter delivering a brief address in be- slowing the city's wreath, entered the presidents carriage and rode with him to the navy yard.
 ''The people of New York pay their solemn respect to these honored 60o d coil h. Ioi ITO the stricken families of these men their loss is irreparable. Nothing that we can say now, nothing that we can do can mitigate it. But to the Amer ican people their loyalty and sacrifice give new inspiration.
 'These men gave their lives not in war. but in the extension of peace. Our mission in Mexico is not to en- gage in conquest, but to help restore to a neighboring republic the tran. quillity and order which is the base of civilization.
 '"The highest tribute paid in thia hour to the dead of Vera Cruz is tn. renewed pledge of loyalty to the na- tion, it's honor and it's service, inspired by their brave deaths, and the heightened resolution of our people to enter. whenever the need arises, the path of patriotic service"
 Heads Are Barred.
 It was just 10:5O when the process sion reached the navy yard. Presi- dent Wilson, Secretary Daniels, Cover nor Glynn and the others on the pr residents stand stood bareheaded while the collins were taken from the caissons and placed in a line in front of the stand
 The transfer occupied fifteen minutes. As each coffin was placed before the president the sailor pail hearers joined linc thnt aanlad tlao