The Washington times., 1917-04-30
FRANCE AND ENGLAND
KNEEL AT MT. VERNON
Homage Paid Memory Of Washing
ton by Our Allies in War.

It was a simple tribute paid t
America and to democracy at Mt. Yer
non yesterday.
England and France, our allies, knel'
at the tomb of George Washington
the father Of those ideals which have
made them our allies. 1t was simple
tribute. this laying OF two wreath:
upon the tomb which holds the mortal
remains OF an American hero. But Its
simplicity only added to its dignity
its significance. In the words OF Mr.
Balfour, there was no more fit place
on the face of the earth for tribute
and a plea for liberty to be made
than at the tomb OF General Wash
tngton.
Lacking the ceremonies which
usually mark an offering of its kind,
the informality OF the proceedings
was a marked feature. There were
no cheers, no long speeches, no bands.
Gathered around the tomb OF the
American hero stood a quiet group,
uncovered, some OF them with eyes
averted, as If in prayer. At the end
of the few words spoken by the four
speakers, there was bit of ap-
plause, sincere, heartfelt applause.
Stiffness Is Eloquent.
And when Mr.. Balfour, accompanied
by General Bridges, stopped and en-
tered the sarcophagus and placed a
wreath on the tomb, and as he was
followed by Marshal Joffre and two
French soldiers, one a corporal, the
other a private, who likewise laid on
the tomb a tribute from France, the
stiffness was eloquent.
And when the ceremony was con-
cluded the little group dispersed. An
old negro, one Of the employees, limp
ed forward and locked the doors OF
the sarcophagus. The visitors left
and walked up the hill to visit the
home during his life of the man they
had honored.
There were no ceremonies attend
ant upon the arrival of the dis
tinguished visitors at Mt. Vernon.
Sightseers were excluded from the
grounds, and the group of newspaper
men gathered on the wharf were the
only persons who witnessed the ar
rival of.the Mayf1ower.
Far up stream, white against the
bluish-black waters Of the Potomac
she was sighted, rounding a bend in
the river. With white spray dashing
from her bow she came. swiftly.
silently, and presently she was op
posite the landing. The engines
slowed, and she decreased her speed.
BuEIer Sound Taps.
Over the stretch of water there
came the faint tolling OF the ships
bell The flag, iuttering proudly
from the stern. was lowered to half
mast. Then, as the yacht glided
smoothly through the water, a bugler
stepped to the bow. The bell still
tolling, the notes OF taps" came
floating shoreward. Clear, sweet and
true, they came, such a sound as
Washington must have heard at the
close Of a weary day at Valley
Forge.
The bell ceased its tolling, the last
notes of taps echoed family from the
bluffs across the river.
The flag rose to the peak of the
mast again, and stroog. seemingly
triumphant after the sad notes of
Spangled Banner" softened a bit and
made sweeter b. the intervening
stretch Of water. were heard by those
who waited ashore. The last notes
died away, and a naphtha launch put
out from the steamers side, now
anchored in midstream.
The shallowness of the channel at
this point makes the landing of a yes
sci the tonnage OF the Mayfiower l. :
possible and the visitors were taken
to the wharf in two launches.
Secretary OF the Navy Daniels was
the first TO step from the small boat. |
He was followed by Secretary of the |
Treasury McAdoo. Mrs. McAdoo. Sec |
retary Of State Lansing, Secretary of |
Agriculture Houston, several women |
Of the Cabinet, and finally by Mr.. Bal |
four. General Bridges, Marshal Jofrre |
and other members of the French and |
British missions.
Along the Winding Path.
With no attempt at formation of |
any sort, the group mounted the long
flight OF steps and the winding path |
which leads to the tomb of Washing
ton. The party gathered in a semi
circle around the sarcophagus. uncov-
cred and waited. Premier Viviani, |
Joffre. Mr.. Balfour and Gem
eral Bridges and Governor Stuart of
Virginia stood in the center. To one
side. borne by two United States sail
ors and two French soldiers. were the
British and French wreaths, one of
flowers, the other OF bronze
Premier Viyiani was the first to
speak. He spoke in French, fervent-
1y, head uplifted, at times cIenching
his hands. His speech was a simple,
heartfelt tribute to America, TO /
Washington, the father OF America.
He was followed by Marshal Joffre,
Papa" Joffre, as he is called in
France.
Mr.. Balfour. stepping beside those
who had just spoken, said only a few
words. His cultured, musical voice
seemed to vtbrate with feeling. He
read first the few words which had
been placed on the wreath.
Dedicated by the British Commits
sion to the immortal memory of
George Washington, soldier, states
man, patriot, who would have re-
1oiced to know the country OF which
he was a citizen by birth and G. coun-
try which his genius called into ex-
istence, was fighting side by side to
save mankind from the subJection of
= military despotism."
Voices Feeling Tribute.
His closing words were: And
there is no spot on the face of the
earth where a plea for liberty will
be more significantly received than
1T the tomb OF Washington"
Governor Stuart In a short speech
expressed the pride felt by his ma