The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-30


 bowed in joint homage to the mem ory of George Washington before the tomb of the father of the republic al Mount Vernon, Va, yesterday.
 The ceremony was deeply touching As the flags of the three great nations f1oated from the historic tomb. Rene Viviani and Marshal Joffre, of the French comission; Arthur James Bal four, of the British commission, and Governor Stuart of Virginia, spoke of the soldier who gave to the United States her liberty. a. With barred heads the crowd of sev- eral hundred listened as M. Viviani, one of the greatest orators of France, delivered his eulogy. Many who un- derstood the language he spoke wept and those who did not were deeply stirred at the solemnity, earnestness and emotional voice of the speaker. He said:
 we could not remain longer in Washington without accomplishing this pious pilgrimage. Tn this spot lies all that is mortal of 8 great hero. Close by this spot is the modest abode where Washington rested after the
 
 nation it's emancipation. In this spot meet the admiration of the whole world and the veneration of the American people. In this spot rise before us the glorious memories left by the soldiers of France led by Ro- chambeau and Lafayette; descend ant of the latter, by friend, M. de Chambrun, accompanies us.
 Honors MT. BaIfour.
 And I esteem it a supreme honor as well as satisfaction for my con- science to be entitled to render this homage to our ancestors in the pres ence of my colleague and friend, MT. Balfour, who so nobly represents his great nation. By thus coming to lay here the respectful tribute of every English mind he shows what nations that live for liberty can do.
 When we contemplate in the dis- tant past the luminous presence of Washington, in nearer times the ma jestic figure of Abraham Lincoln. when we respectfully salute President Wilson, the worthy heir of these great memories, we at one glance measure the vast career of the American peo- pie proclaimed and won for the nation plep reclaimed and won for the nation the right to govern itself, it is because it proclaimed and won the equality of all men. that the free American people at the hour marked by fate has been enabled with commanding force to carry it's action beyond the seas; it is becausesit was resolved to extend it's action still further than Congress was enabled to obtain with the space of g. to proclaim the necessity for na- civil peace. In the name of France, I salute to the young. army which will share in our common glory.
 Recalls Unnamed Heroes.
 While paying this supreme tribute to the memory, of Washington I do not diminish the effect of my words when turn my thoughts to the mem ory of so many unnamed heroes. ask you before this tomb to bow in earnest mediation, and all the fervor of piety before all the soldiers of the Allied nations, who for nearly three years have been fighting under differ ent flags for the same ideal. l beg you to address the homage of your hearts and souls to all the heroes, born to live in happiness, in the tran quil pursuit of their labors, in the en- joyment of all human affections, who went into the battle with virile cheerfulness and gave themselves up 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 d1sap- pear with their bodies.
 Their monument is in our hearts. Not the living alone greet us here, the ranks of the dead themselves rise to surround the soldiers of liberty.
 Bears Frances Greetings.
 At this solemn hour in the history of the world, while saluting from this sacred mound the final victory of justice, send to the republic of the United States the greetings of the French republic"
 It was a magnificent scene, high up on one of the most picturesque spots on the Mount Vernon estate Below rolled the Potomac river, and in the
  flower, rode at anchor. awaiting the return of the distinguished party 1t
 The little group Of international figures stood about the entrance of the tomb-the British and French com missioners with their aids. members Of President Wilson's cabinet and their wives, United States army and navy officers, the French and British Am" bassadors, and many men prominent in Washington's official life.
 To the left of the tomb entrance stood a group of sailors holding two great wreaths, one of bronze, the gift of the French commissioners, the other of lilies, the gift of the British. On each were tied the colors of France, Great Britain and the United States.
 Mr. BaIfour's Speech.
 Then came forward MT. Balfour, Foreign Secretary of Great Britain, who stood for moment in silence, a tall, erect kindly figure. Overcome with all that the situation meant in the lives of the two great Anglo-Saxon countries, MT. Balfour abandoned his decision not to speak, and gave ex- presson to few sentences, evidently straight from the heart. England had honored Washington as she never had before.
 "M. Viviani," said MT. Balfour, "had expressed in most eloquent words the feelings which grip us all here today He has not only paid a fitting tribute to great statesman, but he has brought out thoughts most