Connecticut western news., 1917-05-03
ALLIES AT TOMB
 0F WASHINGTON
ViViani and BaIfUur Place
 Bronze WreathS There.
PLEDGE THEIR FAITH ANEW

flied by Lafayette and Rochamheau
 In Darkest Days.
 In quiet but tremendously impor. tant ceremony at the tomb of George Washington at Mount Vernon repre-. sentatives of three of the allied coun- tries who are fighting for democrac, and the liberty of man joined hands fguratively, and reconsecrated the en. ergies of their nations to the prosecu- tion of the war until the ideals of Washington become actual facts in Europe.
 Kneeling before the vault in which reposes the body, Arthur l. Balfour, British secretary of state for foreign affairs. placed upon the tomb wreath of palms in a ceremony that was the most notable ever participated in bl Great Britain in honor of un American
 Tributes to Washington.
 Rene Niviani, formerly French pre- mier, and Marshal Joffre, fresh from Frances hattlc lin"s. commcw9"Htn:l the greatness of Anerica's first great general as only heroes are honored in France. A simple bronze wreath was placed on the tomb.
 Brief tributes were paid to the mem ory of Washington in addresses by Mir Balfour, NJ. Viviani. Marshal Joffre and other members of the commission
 To England the ceremony meant the final healing of the breach made by thr Revolutionary war, to France a recon. secration of the ideals of the two coun- tries along the best lines of democracy.
 Tears stood in the eyes of those as sembled about the shrine as NJ. Vivi- ani, in words of burning emotion. ex- Rlted tho American hero. He spoke in French; few standing there with bared heads understood the words, bat teTC was no mistaking the spirit of ths French statesman. Tears rolled down his own cheeks as he finished.
 EneIand's Tribute.
 MT. Balfour followed Viviani in pay ing tribute to Washington. He spoke briefly and with scarcely less emotion:
 My friend, M. Viviani, ill phrases burning with emotion, not only has paid a tribute to the great hero who lies buried here, but he has brought our thoughts down to this greatest crisis i'll the worlds history.
 France, England, Russia, Belgium. Servia and now America have joined in great conflict that democracy may live. They are fighting for what they believe to be the cause of liberty rrNI. |, any words on liberty can have any greater meaning than at the tCmb of Washington. I do not propose to make a speech. That already has been made by master of speech.
 But with your permission I would like to read a short inscription which the British nation wishes put on the material tribute to the great American the funeral wreath we have brought today. It is thus:
 Dedicated by the British mission to tht immortal memory of George Washington, soldier, statesman, patriot, who would have rejoiced to see the country of which he was by birth. a citizen and the country which his genius called into existence fighting side by side to save mankind from sNbjection to a military despotism.
 The pilgrimage down the Potomac was made in the presidential yacht Mayfower. AS she reached the middle of the river opposite Mount Vernon the call of the bugle floated forth. The crew came to attention. Heads were barred, and while the ship drifted slow Iy by the nations shrine the strains of the Star Spangled Banner" fioated out over the river.
 The passengers were taken ashore in launches. American officials paired off with the visitors and walked up the long winding path that leads to the | tomb. The proceedings there were simple. M Viviani stepped forward to the doors of the edifice and made his address. As he finished he mo- toned for two French orderlies who had brought the simple bronze wreath Marshal Joffre stepped to his side, and the two famous Frenchmen lifted the wreath, stopped under the low arch | and deposited their burden on the stone receptacle that holds the morta remains of America's hero.
 Balfour Also Moved. | MT. balIouT was NiSipis hioNSu "S h' | stepped forward to add his tribute to Washington. His voice quavered, but his every word was heard by those bared there. When he finished Lieu. tenant General Bridges stepped to his side, tenderIy they lifted the bronze palm branch, covered with lillies and oak leaves. Intertwined in the flowers were small French, British and Ameri can flags. Stopping as Viviani and Joffre had done, they placed their me morial alongside and quickly with l T.'ow
 .Ac3 Governor &:.art of v.rc!n!a added his simple words to the homage paid hy NJ. Viviani and Mir. Balf0ul The ageh negro caretakcr changed tn" | ,-..+os of tha tomb A,rp.,csn hand.