Putnam patriot., 1914-05-15
NATION HON0RS
 VERA CRUZ DEAD
Tribute to Sailors and Marines
 Who Fell in Mexico
WILSON DELIVERS EULOGY
Noted Men Join Escort-Presidentia Salute of 2f Guns Is Turned From Honor to Wilson to
 Honor to Enlisted Men.


 New York.-The President of the United States, the Governor of the State of New York the Mayor of the City, delegations from Congress and the Legislature, the navy, the army, the militia and a million New York CTS paid the tribute due to heroes who die in war, to the remains and the memory of the seventeen lads who fell fighting for the Stars and Stripes on the streets of Vera Cruz.
 The ceremony, from the landing of the bodies to the arrival at the Navy Yard, was simple but tremendously impressive. The music of the massed bands of the battleships Texas and Wyoming, the tolling of bells and, fln- ally, the salutes for the dead and the salute of twenty-one guns to the Pres ident fired at the Navy Yard later added the touch of martial solemnity to attend the funeral of the boys in blue.
 Through the streets as silent as though the hour had been the middle of the night the cortege moved from the Battery to the City Hall, from the City Hall, along the fringe of the lower east side to the Manhattan Bridge and across to the Navy Yard. First, with the military escort, came the caissons carrying the seventeen fag-bedecked caskets in which the bodies of the heroes were brought home. Then, in a long line of earri- ages, rode the officials and the citi- zens who had assembled here to pay honor to the boys who died carrying the flag of the United States into foreign country on a mission of peace.
 For three hours the mighty engines of business in the financial district were hushed. Flags everywhere hung at half-mast. The exchanges were closed and the worries of business were laid aside.
 Besides the seventeen lads whose bodies were taken through the streets the memorial services at the navy yard were also In honor of two more victims of snipers' bullets. Secretary Daniels in reading to the President
  vices were being held, really read nineteen names, because word had just been received that two of the wounded bound for home on the So- lace had died of their wounds.
 With nothing to mar the memorial service, as it had been planned, ex- cept a crush at the navy yard which soon filled the receiving ward of the hospital there with women who had tainted, following the breaking of the police lines, and a wild scramble across the parade grounds by 10000 persons who wanted to get nearer the Presidents stand, there was a feeling among the national, State and city officials who directed the service that fitting tribute of respect and ad- miration had been paid the memory of the heroes.
 There was military and naval pomp. There were blazes of color from uniforms. flags, gold braid, flowers. There was solemn music from bands and from school chorus. There were the crash of rife volleys the sad notes of a final bugle fare well.
 But more than that, there was the absolutely sincere homage of the un- organized, unprogrammed populace. Barred, bowed heads and tear-filled eyes manifested this.
 The conclusion of the tribute was on the bare, broad plain where sail ors and marines drill In the Brook lyn naval station. There, facing the cluster of fiag-covered collins, looking further to close-filled ranks of fight ing men, and still beyond to an as- sem blaze of civilians which must have numbered more than 12,000 President Wilson spoke the eulogy of the heroes.
 Before the rifles of their comrades volleyed over them and Taps" rang out the President, gazing sorrowfully down on their fower-strewn caskets, his voice breaking with emotion, en- vied them their heroic end and prayed he might die as nobly and unafraid.
 The last of the r f1ag-drapped caskcts containing the bodies of the Vera Cruz heroes left the Brooklyn Navy Yard following the services, most of them destined for distant cities where individual memorial ex- ercises will be held in their name. Relatives or special committees took charge of them and one had a guard of honor of two petty officers of the Navy, by special request of Con- gres sman from his State.