Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-05-11
FLAGS FLY At HALf MAST
PRESIDENT WILSON GOES TO
NEW YORK TO PARTICIPATE
in FUNERAL SERVICE
EMBLEMs COVER C0FFIEs
STARS AND STRIPES ARE WOUND
ABOUT BlERs or THE NINE
TEEN YOUNG MEN

New York, May 1.-THE dead ma
rines from Vera Cruz we're landed on
American soil today, and city, stats
and nation paid their tribute.
Two hours before the city was astir
10 frag-draped coffins ewre removed
from the boat deck of the aTmore1
cruiser Montana and placed on cais-
sons on the plaza IN Battery park.
Few Witnessed this ceremony, but
thousands later lined the streets TO
watch the slow procession wind it's
way to the navy yard.
Perhaps not since the Dewey par
ade has there been such spontan-
eous demonstration. That, however,
was noisy tribute to returning
victor; this a reverent one to the re-
turning dead.
Weather could not have been bet
ter. The sky was almost csoudless
and there was just enough breeze to
stiffen, afloat and ashore, the thou
sands of flags which flew at half mast
Silent thousands, long before 50 ~
began making their way towj
Ter Manhattan; others masss =
the city hail. where the p4. +
was to halt briefly; stil1 othesyw
the approaches to the Ma.
bridge, and finally a great
gathered at the navy yards whs
eulogies were to be said. Many wore
little bows of black: others wore
bands of black on their sleeves.
lPresident Wilson arrived in the
city from Washington shortly after
o'clock, almost unobserved. He was
taken Immediately to the home of his
friend, Colonel q. M. House. and
thence to take a place in the process
sion It had afterward been arranged
that the president was to go to the
navy yards to receive the natioHis
dead on government ground. but -
the last moment Mr.. Wilson changed
his mind and was driven to the Bat
terry so as to participate in, the cere~
monies from beginning to end.
Twenty-fonr mounted policemen Leo
the way. Behind them were the Conn
bined bands Of the dreadnaughts wy
oming and Texas and. besides ths
bands. 600 bluejackets from these
ships.a ,<sx.
Next came the coffins. in single
file. At the side of each rode a po-
liceman and. at the corner of escz )
caisson marched National Guards
man. The Stars ana Stripes alona
covered the caskets.
Behind the last caisson came the
carriages bearing the president the
secretary of the navy. SENATOR'S con
gressmen and representatives Of ths
state and city.
h Wilson Speaks With Feeling
4 President Wilson had no formal az
Idress prepared for the ceremonies -
the Brooklyn navy yard, Secretary
Daniels read to him the names Of the
/ 10 American dead IN whose honor
the services were held. The prezz-
dents reply was delivered with slow
impressiveness His voice was low
and fervent and his face was grave
! 'Mr. Secretary he said. Il know
the feelings which characterize alB
who stand about me are not feelings
that can be expressed in eIoqueneo
or oratory, For my own part, :
have mixture Of feelings
] The feeling that is uppermost =
one of profound grief. that these LADS
should have had to 90 to tHszr DEATH
But yet / feel profound pride anz
envy tlfat they should have been Per
mitted to do their duty so nobly.
Their duty is not an uncomue1
thing. Men are performing It IN tha
ordinary walks Of lie. but what gives
these men peculiar distinction Is thar