The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-06-28
MISSIONS or BOTH COUNTRIES
GATHER WITH v. S. OFFICIALS
AT wAsHINGToNs TOMB
PLEDGE FRIENDSHIP.
FLAGS or THREE NATIONS
UMFURLED OVER TOMB
Belgian Baron M%oneheur and Russian
Ambassador Bahkmetieff 5cstow
Floral Wreaths and Deliver
Messages From Across
the Seas.

Mount Vernon, Va, June 26.-Bel.
GUM and Russia united at the tomb
of George Washington in paying hom-
age to the American patriot and to
the spirit of Liberty and Freedom
which his memory incarnates. Over
the tomb were Belgian, Russian and
American flags. The official diplo-
matte missions from the Belgian and
from the Russian democracy pledged
themselves and their countries to
every effort at destruction of autoc-
racy and the safety OF democracy.
The missions, accompanied by mem
bers OF the cabinet and other high
government officials, went down the
Potomac on the presidential yacht
Mayfiower.
Lay Flowers on Tomb.
A semi-circle was formed around
the tomb, and Secretary Daniels in
troduced Baron Moncheur, head Of
the Belgian mission, and Russian Spe-
cial Ambassador Boris A. Bahkmetieff.
Baron Moncheur and Ambassador
Bahkmetieff placed floral wreaths on
the tomb beside similar wreaths laid
there by Foreign Secretary Balfour Of
Great Britain, former Premier viviani,
Marshal Joffre of France and Prince
Udine of Italy.
The splendid courage of the Bel
gian soldiers at Leige prevented the
expected march to France" said Sec
rotary Daniels in presenting Baron
Moncheur.
There is no brave man or oma
who was not thrilled by Belgian pa
triotism and sacrifice In battle and
Belgian fortitude In disaster. Belgium
is a nation of heroes"
Baron Moncheur replied, earnestly
and slowly:
I'm this solemn hour, when freedom
is locked in a death struggle with the
powers OF darkness, we come to pay
homage to the great founder of Amer
lean liberty.
Quotes George Washington.
Although his body lies here. his
work survives, and his spirit still lives
in the American people, / know Of
nothing which typifes that spirit bet
ter than the words Of Washington,
when, in bequeathing his sword to his
nephew, he added the injunction that
ii should never be drawn except in
defense of liberty and justice, and
that when once drawn, II should never
be sheathed before the complete vic
tory OF right over wrong"
You have done what Washington
would have done. and therefore, in
paying homage to the father Of your
country, l offer a tribute of devotion
and gratitude to the whole American
people"
Secretary Daniels then presented
Ambassador Bahkmetieff, O "spokes-
man Of q nation whose long friend
ship with this country was strength
ened when II became a Republic"
Feeling Of veneration.
Ambassador Bahkmetieff said in
part:
with a feeling OF deepest venera-
tion have we approached this sacred
tomb. Fate has bestowed on us the
blessing to be witnesses and partak.
ers OF such an epoch from the horrors
and ruins OF heroic Belgium and Po-
land, ruins soaked by blood of name
less martyrs. From the cries of sor-
row and misery OF innocent victims,
there is rising the dawn Of a new life,
life OF peaceful prosperity, justice and
humanity growing out OF the con-
Quired and smashed remnants Of mill
tant autocracy.
with a feeling OF solemn venera-
tion and overwhelming emotion, I be-
stow ON this immortal tomb this
wreath as a tribute to the hero, to the
knight OF Liberty and Democracy
from the messengers OF Russia's free
DOM"