Evening journal., 1917-04-30
MT. vernon Visited
BY ALLIED MISSIONS
Balfour and Viviani, on
"Pious Pilgrimage" Pay
Tribute TO Washington
THREE NATIONS
FLAGS WERE THERE

MOUNT VERNON. Va, April &c.
The flags OF Great Britain, France and
the United States hoated proudly to-
gether yesterday over the tomb of
George Washington. Beneath them.
spokesman Of the three great domoc-
racies paid homage to Americas sol
dior and statesman, and pledged
themselves. each to the other in the
name OF the dead, to prosecute the
present mighty struggle against au-
tocracy on the lines he himself had
followed in bringing America into be-
/ ing.
Foreign Minister Balfour, head OF
the British mission in this country for
conference on the prosecution OF the
/ war. delivered an eloquent eulogy
upon Washington and was followed by
/ NJ. V.vlani head OF the similar mission
| from France.
Ylyiani Lauds "Great Hero"
| NJ Viviani said:
I'VE could not remain longer IN
Washington without accomplishing
this pious pilgrimage. In this spot
! lies all that is mortar of great hero.
| Close by this spot is the modest abode
where Washington rested after the
! tremendous labor OF achieving for a
nation its emancipation. In this spot
meet the admiration OF the whole
world and the vcneration Of the Amer
| lean people In this spot rise before
MS the glorious memories left by the
soldiers Of France led by Rochambeau
and Lafayette: a descendant of the
/ latter, my friend NJ. de Chambrun, &C
companies us, and esteem 1t a SUI
preme honor, as well as a satisfaction
! for my conscience. TO be entitled TO
render this homage TO our ancestors
In the presence OF my colleague ana
friend, Mr.. Balfour. who so nobly rep
rescnts his great nation.
"By thus coming TO lay here the re-
spectful tribute Of every English NINA,
lie shows, in this historic moment OF
commun on which France has willed,
what nations that live for liberty can
when we contemplate in the distant
past the luminous presence OF Nashlhg
ton. in nearer times the majestic inquire
of Abraham Lincoln, when we respect
fully salute President Wilson, the wor
thv heir of these great memories, we at
one glance measure the vast career OF
the American people. II is because tue
American people proclaimed ana won the
equality of all men that the Tree Amen
can people at the hour marked by tate
has been enabled with commanding force
10 carry its action beyond the seas IL
is because il was resolved TO extend its
action still further that Congress was
/ enabled to obtain within the space OF
| a few DAYS the vote of CONSUMPTION and
/ 10 proclaim the necessity for ma
tional army in the full splcndor OF civil
peace.
Statutes "Young Army"
"In the name Of France, ] salute the
Young army which will share IN our com
mon glory.
"While paying this supreme tribute
10 the memory of Washington, ! do not
diminish the effect Of my words when
turn NV thoughts 10 the memory OF 40
many unnamed heroes. I ask you before
this tomb 10 bow in earnest meditation
I and al the fervor or piety before all the
soldiers of the allied nations who for
nearly three years have been fighting
under different flags for the same ideal
beg YOU TO address the homage of your
hearts and souls 10 all the heroes. born
to live in happiness. in the tranquil pur-
suit of their labors IN the enjoyment OF
all human affections. who went into bat
tie with virie chceriulness. and gave
themselves mp, not TO death alone but
to the eternal silence that closes over
those whose sacrifice remains unnamed,
in the full knowledge that. save for
those who loved them. their names would
disappear with their bodies. Their
monument is in our hearts. Not the liv-
ing alone greet us here; the ranks of the
dead themselves rise to surround the sol
diers of liberty.
"At this solemn hour in tho history
of the world. while saluting from this
sacred mound the final victory OF jus
tice. send TO the Republic Of the
United States the greetings OF the
French Republic"