New-York tribune., 1918-04-30
Sir Commit Guthrie
Publicly Decorated
With French Cross

In the presence of more than one
Thousand members of the Arts and
Sciences Forum of the Twilight Club
at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel last night
NJ. Andre Tardieu, French High Com
missioner to the United States, con-
ferred the Cross of Knight of the Le-
gion of Honor of France on Sir Connif
Guthrie, representative in America of
Great Britain's Ministry of Shipping.
This is the first time in the history
of the country that the decoration ever
has been conferred in public.
NJ. Tardieu, in making the presenta-
ton. said he had been delegated by his
country to bestow the cross as re-
ward to a gallant soldier who had
fought valiently in France; had shed
his blood on the soil of France and
who had been grievously wounded for
the sake of our great common cause.
"It IS meant to reward" said the
High Commissioner, "the man of en-
ergy and brains who, for many months,
has managed in America the British
fleet, without which the victory Of the
Allied forces would not be possible" F"
Few occasions have brought together
a more distinguished assembly than the
of the French High Commissioner. Be-
side M. Tardeu the speakers included
George w. Wickersham, former Attor-
ney General of the United States;
James w. Gerard, former Asbassador
to Germany; Abram 1. Elkus, former
Ambassador to Turkey; Myron T. Her.
rick, former Ambassador to France;
Augustus Thomas and Supreme Court
Justice Charles L. Guy. cambridge
al 0f
ping Board. acted as toastmaster.
M. Tardieu, who, after comforting
the decoration on Sir Commit, respond
ed for his country. He declared France
would fight on forever if necessary;
that Germany had forced the war on
his country that it might satisfy it's
lust for the land of France, and that
the cause of France to-day was the
cause of all the Allies-a fear that
lished as the law of the world.
Justic Guy, the first speaker, de-
clared America had resolved that if
France fell she would fall with her
'If we do fall, though" said the speak.
er, "there will be no enemy left to
celebrate
Former Ambassador Herrick told OF
a conversation he had with President
Poincaire in the early days of the war
1lc QtCldISQ lLG Il IGUCn ITpSlQc0C nae
told him all France believed that if the
Germans ever won Paris they would
blow it from the face of the world
bit by bit.
Mr.. Elkus retold briefly some Of the
things he had seen on his memorable
journey back to this country from Tur.
key. He made vivid in the telling the
ravages OF the Germans and their al
lies and reused his hearers to applause
when he said it was these deeds of Ger
many that had allied the world of de-
cency and humanity against her.
In q brief speech before introducing
the first speaker Toastmaster Colby de
Tended President Wilson and the gov
ernment against their defamers. H,
said the schoolboys Of to-day though
Of the defamers Of Lincoln and Wash
ington exactly as those of the mex
generation will look on those who are
now speaking openly against the Presi
dent.
Among those who were guests of tn,
Twilight Club were Colonel E. w. Va,
c. Lucas, DR.. T. Iyenaga. Jacob II. SchifF
Edward J. Wheeler, Merle st. Croi:
Wright, Sir Frederick W. Black, Count
ess d'Bryas. Gertrude Atherton. Mrs
Philip Lydig, Professor Franklin II
Giddings, James Spcyer, Ebert II
Gary, Otto II. Kahn, Thomas w La
mont, Adolph Lewisohn, Henry Nor
genthau, George c. Wilson and D1
Talcott Williams,