New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-23
Official Wreaths Placed
on Equestrian Statue
in Paris
M. THOMAS SPEAKS
AND SHARP REPLIES
Rene Besnard Tells Amer.
lean Club u. S. Cannot
Remain Spectator

Paris, Feb. 22.-All the great depart
ments of the French government-the
War Office, the Foreign Office and the
navy-and the municipality of Paris
were represented to-day in the ceremo-
MES at the foot Of the equestrian
statue of Washington IN the Place
dTena.
The statue was erected in 1900 by
the women Of America. Many hun
dreds of Parisians and Americans
watched the placing Of the wreaths.
General Savetier laid one at the foot of
the statue for General Lyautey, the
French Minister of War, and H. Cleve-
land Coke placed one for the Empire
State Society Of the Sons Of the Ameri-
can Revolution. One of the most beau
tiful wreaths was that in behalf Of the
Municipal Council Of Paris.
Albert Thomas, the Minister of Mu-
nitions, represented the French govern
ment. Standing upon the base OF the
monument, he recalled that the first
and only alliance made by the Ameri-
can Republic was with France, and he
traced the analogies Of the two peoples
and nations.
Wars for Liberty Are Long
Referring to the American Revolu-
ton and the War of Secession, and
comparing those conflicts with the
present struggle in Europe, Minister
Thomas said:
"The tenacity of Washington and
Lincoln is emulated in France to-day.
Peoples like ours never tire easily. All
wars for liberty are long and have al
ways been waged 10 the bitter end"
William c. Sharp, the American AM
bassador 10 France, spoke of the Amer
lean satisfaction (which must be
brought TO Us all in the participation
in this ceremony Of our brothers under
another flag. | take il that everything
which pertains 10 the lie and achieve
menJs OF George Washington, and in
particular the principles for which he
stood, are as dear 20 the Frenchman's
heart as are those Of Lafayette to the
Americana
A detachment Of thirty members Of
the American Field Ambulance was
among those grouped around the statue.
Recalls Washington's Words
The French government was repre-
scented at the Washington Birthday
dinner of the American Club tonight
by Rene Besnard, Under Secretary of
State. VI. Besnard recalled the words
of Washington. to Congress in 1883:
The highest ambition Of every
American should be 20 look beyond his
own fireside, 70 reflect upon that his
conduct interests not only himself, his
country and his posterity. but that its
influence may extend TO the world and
prepare the political happiness or mis-
fortune Of generations and of ages 10
come"
America consequently, said VI. Bes-
nard, when brought face TO face with
a people led by the most monstrous
folly Of violence and tyranny the world
has ever known could not remain for
long simple spectator.
at is not thirty months" said he,
that we have had before US the most
formidable adversary any nation ever
encountered lNe most IOTHluGDlt "hE
machine of all ages, prepared in deep
mystery and perfected during forty
years by a predatory people. We re-
sisted the brutal shock, and since then
we have held our enemy in check
"All those that German barbarism
has put in mourning, all those that
mourn innocent victims in Belgium,
Serbia or Rumania, or their kin disap-
peared at the bottom of the seas-all
are awaiting our victory as PREPARATION
for the past and guarantee for the
future"
VI. Besnari proposed French toast,
drunk on Washington's Birthday in
New York l22 years ago: TO the
President of the United States: May
the day that gave him birth mark an
epoch in the annals Of liberty. To the
French Republic: May she triumph
over her enemies and obtain the tran
guilty of peace founded upon justice
and reason"