Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-30
BRITISH AND FRENCH MISSIONS
PAY VISIT TO MOUNT VERNON
NJ. VIVIAN, in Burning Words, Eulogizes
First President, Minister Balfour Speaks
Briefly and Lays Wreath on Tomb

Flags of England and France fankea
tire Stars and Stripes over Washington 5
tomb yesterday. ENJOYS of England
and France laid tributes on the grave
and paid spoken tribute to the memory
of the nations hero.
The ceremony at Mount Vernon was
impressive in its sheer simplicity
Scarcely more than a hundred persons
saw it. No music was played. there
were no introductions.
The Mayfiower bore the leading hg-
u-es Of the three nations to the spot
which has long been this country
sanctuary AS the vessel came opposite
che historic home of Washington a
bugler sounded taps, echoing clear ana
mellow over the wide expanse of the
Potomac at that point. the Mayfiower
hand PLAYED The Star Spaugled BAN
rer," and then the distinguished WISH
ors. among them Foreign Minister ~ /
four and Cen Bridges OF Great 6ritain'
land Vice Premier Nivianl and MafShai
Joffre Of France, came ashore IN ten
ders.
DISTINGUISHED Men In Party.
In each of the foreign parties were
visitors of note other than the men
mentioned Among them Maj L. w. b.
Rees. hero of England's aviation corps;
Lieut.. Col. Jean Fabry, blue devil OF
France" wooden legged and many times
wounded, and other men whose namt-
will live in history. The British and
French ambassadors accompanied the
mission from their countries. In the
marty also were Senator Swanson and
Representative Padgett. chairmen OF
the Senate and House naval commit
Vance
Cormick.
A majority of the members of the.
cabinet, with their wives: Gen. Hugh
J.. Scott, chief of STAFF, and other high
oficers OF the army and navy repre-
scented this country.
With no attention to precedence the
visitors walked directly TO the TOMB,
gathered about II in silence, and NJ
viviani stepped to the toregroun 40, ann am.
began his speech. Though many did not
understand his words. they sensed the
spirit of his speech, charged with in
tense earnestness.
Lay Bronze Wreath on Tomb.
A corporal and a private of the
French army bore the bronze palm
with which that nation usually honors
only her own hero dead.
THAT was at Marshal Joffre's re-
quest" explained member OF the party
later The marshal wanted the tribute
borne by simple soldiers, the kind of
men, he said, who fight in the trenches
and become the unsung heroes OF the
war"
Nj. Balfour. evidently speaking with
deep feeling, said a few words. and
then read the tribute he had written
to be placed upon the wreath he was
to lay in the tomb
visitors to the soil of the state, and
Marshal Joffre. speaking slowly and
distinctly. with head slightly bowed,
said. in French:
name and memory of Washington. l
respectfully salute here the great
soldier and lay upon his tomb the palm
we offer our soldiers who have died
for their country.
British Envoy Pays Tribute.
Corp. Pins and Private Abel Jolly
came forward with the palm. and
they and Gen. Joffre stopped to get
under the low iron grating. AS
Marshal Joffre emerged. Mr.. Balfour
came forward and bore a wreath Of
lilies and oak leaves to the tomb.
while Gen. Bridges stood outside the
iron grating at salute.
Piloted by Miss Harriet Clayton
Comegys. regent. and eleven vice re-
gents of the Mount Vernon Ladies'
Association. the party went to the
and threes, went through the historic
home. laden with relics OF revolutionary
days.
Marshal Joffre pausei as he entered
the board hall way before the key Of
the Bastille, sent to Washington by
Lafayette, In 1889. ard the letter CT
presentation. framed below. was read
TO him. The letter concludes. That the
principles Of America opened the Bas-
tile Is not to he doubted, and there
fore the key comes - tn. righ- place"
Joffre interested in Relics.
Marshal Jonre's attention was d.
rected to the opposite wall. where hung
q hunting horn. also presented to
Washington by Lafayette. and Wash
ington's swords. willed to his nephew
with the admonition not to unsheath
them save for self-defense or defense
Of his country.
Marshal Joffre indicated he wished to
stroll through the rooms at his leis-
ure. and he did so. in company of Col.
spencer Cosby and the marshaPs aid.
Lieut. dc Lessen He paused a long
while in the Lafayette room. where
there hung portraits of LAFAYETTE