Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-08-30
HONOR WASHINGTON
I. BY FLORAL TRIBUTE
Japan's Special Ambassador
Places Wreath on Mt.
Vernon Tomb.
NOW WORLD CITIZEN.
1shii Pledges His Country TO Princi-
pies of Right and Justice for which
Washington Fought.


the special ambassador from Japan, plac-
ing a wreath Of roses and chrysanthe-
NUNS on the tomb Of George Washington
at Mount Vernon to-day. claimed the right
for Japan to honor Washington's memory
and reaffirmed her devotion to the allies
cause and the principles for which they
wage battles.
The members of the Japanese mission,
with Secretary and Mrs. Daniels as hosts.
sailed down the Potomac on the Presi-
dents yacht Mayflower. Accompanying
them were Ambassador Sato, secretaries
Lansing, Redfield and Baker. Post Mas
ter General Burleson. Speaker Clark.
members Of the Senate and House. high
officers Of the army. navy and marine
CORPS members of the missions of other
European countries and many prominent
people in diplomatic and official life
With the red sun of Japan on a white
field waving with the Stars and Stripes
above him, the representative of one Of
the oldest civilizations on earth. on the
soil of one of the youngest, paid re-
markable tribute to the memory of the
only man who has alike been honored
and 10 honored by the nations warning
for democracy.
NOW WOHLD CITIZENS.
viscount Ishii said:
"In the name Of my gracious sovereign.
the Emperor Of Japan, and represent
ing all the liberty loving people who own
his sway, I stand to-day in this sacred
presence-not to eulogize the name Of
'Washington-for that were presumption
but to offer the simple tribute of peo-
pies reverence and love.
washington was an American, but
America, great as she is. powerful as she
is, certain as she is of her splendid
destiny-cannot lay exclusive claim to
this immortal name. Washington is now
a citizen Of the world; to-day he belongs
to all mankind. And men come here
from the ends of the earth to honor his
memory and to reiterate their faith in
the principles to which his great life was
devoted.
Japan claims entrance to this holy cir
Gle. She yields to none in reverence and
respect-nor Is there any gulf between
the ancient East and the new born West
too deep and wide for the hearts and the
understandings Of her people to cross.>
1T Is fitting then that men who love
liberty and Justice better than they
love life-that men who know what honor
is-should seek this shrine and here. in
the presence of these sacred ashes. re-
dedicate themselves to the service Of hu-
manity.
RENEW PLEDGE OF FEALTY.
1T is a fitting place. at this time.
when al 1.-The world 10 filled with tur.
moil and suffering for comrades in .
holy cause to gather and here renew
their fealty to a righteous purpose
firm in the determination that the
struggle must go on until the world 10
free from menace and aggression.
Japan Is proud to place herself be-
side her noble allies in this high re-
solve and here in the presence of these
deathless ashes. she re-affirms her de-
votion to the cause and the principles
for which they wage battle. fully de-
termined to do her whole part in Sc
curing for the world the blessings Of
liberty. justice and lasting peace.
! "As the representative of my peo-
pie, then. I place this wreath upon
the tomb of Washington with reverent
hands and in so doing 1t Is my proud
privilege to again pledge my country
to those principles Of right and JUS
tice which have given Immortality to
the name Of Washington"
/ SECRETARY DANIELS SPEAKS.
In introducing the special ambassador
Secretary Daniels recalled that. when. in
the early hfties. It was determined to send
an American mission to Japan. 1t was
headed by a naval officer. Commodore
Perry. who. to the courage Of an officer.
added the accomplishments Of a diplomat.
He related how Perry won the confidence
Of the Japanese people and their rulers
and how the Japanese people learned from
the Perry mission the broad and fraternal
spirit Of the American people.
To-day" said the secretary. Japan
- - Tync ..
ington, in the hope that there may fall
upon us all double portion Of his spirit
Of faith in the triumph Of the right and his
readiness to make the supreme sacrifice
for the principles for which America,
Japan and their allies are now contendins
in the arena Of war. They have drawn the
sword to end military fuedalism. They
! will sheath 1t only in q victory that will
guarantee permanent peace"