The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-05-03
FOR
SEVENTEEN |
BODIES OF THOSE KIILEE'
AT VERA CRUZ COMT'
THIS WEEK.
[By Bond P. Geddes, United Press
Staff Correspondent

STAFF Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 2.--Hearts
and thoughts of nation turned to-
night to the seventeen American boys
lying dead at Vera Cruz. A nation s
pride, nations grief. a nations
gratitude is theirs. Expressions OF
these sentiments was the effort which
all heads Of the government made 20
night.
That 90,OOO,OOO Americans in spirit
may mourn their death and carve
their names in enduring letters on the
pages Of American heroism. plans for
fitting tribute for their return
"home"-were made
With all martial pomp and cere-
mony, the bodies of the dead blue
jackets and marines, killed in Vera
Cruz April 81, 20 and %, Will be
brought to New York next week. A
national requiem there is planned, a
memorial typical American. The sew
enteen leaden caskets. each envelop-
ed in the stars and stripes will be the
biers and shrine at which The country
will mourn.
Secretary OF the Navy Daniels to-
night announced tentative plans for
the obsequies. The cruiser Montana
was chosen as the funeral ship to
bring the bodies from Vera Cruz to
New York. She will sail Monday, it
is believed, and arrive at New York
about next Saturday when public Of
fciaL ceremonies will be held at the
Brooklyn navy yard. ,ss,
Arrangements for the arrival OF the
Montana surpass in naval ana military
pomns xny4hIp9 Ajnce tke.-4s -
tIs6 sfalne dad Pffssfdsnt Wilson, II
possible; Secretary Daniels, Secretary
OF War Garrison, Assistant Secretary
OF the Navy Roosevelt, and Assistant
Secretary OF War Breckenridge will
represent the government in the cere-
monies.
At sea on the Delaware breakwater,
three giant dreadnoughts. the Iowa,
Indiana and Massachusetts. will meet
the Montana and act as an escort Of
honor to New York. The three con-
voys will sail from the Philadelphia
navy yard. Not the least impressive
OF ceremonies will be the scene at
sea when the Montana with her burd-
en- Of death. is Joined by her escorts.
With flags fiu.tering at halt mast.
the four warships will steam into New
York harbor. Tolling Of bells and
hoarse, muffled salutes from harbor
craft will be the first national dirge
to "our boys who fell at Vera Cruz"
Blue Jackets and marines, with
wfsps of crere tied to their arms,
will be the pallbearers to. transfer
the seventeen, flag palled. leaden
caskets to navy launches from the
deck of the Montana. Ca,ssons,
draped in crepe, and drawn by blue
jackets, will carry the dead to the
navy yard parade ground.
Hundreds of soldiers, marines and
sailors, with bands playing dirges,
will participate in the public services
Federal, city and state officials will
Join in tributes to these who fell for
the honor of their country and their
flag.
Captain Albert Gleaves. command
ant of the navy yard, will make ar
for the public ceremonial
A parade in New York City is among
the features under consideration.
Other memorial services are planned
at cities where the dead blue jackets
and marines resided. At Chicago the
naval band and 1000 apprentices OF
the great lakes naval training station.
will participate by direction of Secre.
.ary Daniels today. While the coun-
try mourns its dead. fathers, mothers,
and others bereaved by the flying bul.
lets at Vera Cruz were not to be for
gotten. Theirs is the more personal,
the more poignent loss and grief. To
them, after the nation has given its
homage, will be given their dead for
private interment. At each open
grave the government will pay final
tributes in taps from the soldiery.
Unless their families request other
wise. a new section in Arlington ma
tional cemetery will be the final rest
ing place Of the honored dead.