Evening star., 1918-05-30
Americans of All Classes
Gather at Cemeteries to
Honor the Dead.
PRESIDENT ATTENDS
ARLINGTON SERVICES
Chief Thought Centers on Present
=.
World Conflict in Paying Re-
spect to War Veterans.


chief executive, members of the Senate
and House of Representatives, high
government officials, veterans of for
mer wars waged by the United States,
down to the humblest citizens Of the
land, participated today in exercises
and ceremonies in memory of those
who laid down their lives for liberty.
Not alone was the day given over to
memorials for those who died in ear
those men and women who have
passed beyond in the present world
struggle received the heartfelt trib-
utes Of a grateful nation.
In compliance with the Presidents
proclamation the day took on an add
ed significance and solemnity as a day
of national humiliation and prayer.
though in all of the tributes and ora
tions there was sounded a note of
calm confidence and high resolve that
the objects to attain which the nation
became a participant and cobellig-
erent in the titanic world struggle
shall be achieved.
Chief Interest at Arlington.
Chief interest centered in the ex-
ercises at Arlington national ceme-
terry, attended by the President of the
United States and held under the aus
pices Of the veterans Of the war be-
tween the states. Memorial exercises
for the dead of the battleship Maine
also held a the Mainn y,1Apnnrfal q
In Arlington.
At Battle Ground national cemetery
officials of the District government
participated in the exercises. Elabo-
rate ceremonies were held at the Sol
diers' Home cemetery, in Congress
slonal cemetery and in all of the
burying places in the District where
lie the bones of those who defended
the nation in its days of stress and
strife.
Thought Centered on France.
While in no manner was the honor
annually shown to the veterans of
of the nation largely was centered
on the battlefields of France where
the German military machine is en-
gagged in another drive against the
forces of democracy.
That American troops are aiding in
the attempt to stem the German tide
was source of satisfaction as well
as the recent news that the Ameri-
cans had carried out successfully
their first offensive action.
Although even the vanguard of the
expeditionary forces has yet to OBJ
serve the first anniversary of its ar
rival in France, and even though q
great. part of the time of the Ameri-
can armies overseas has been given
to training. the casualty list has be-
gan to mount into the thousands The
blood of American youth has been
spilled for the first time on a Euro
pean battlefield.
Presidents Proclamation.
the day. one Of public humiliation.
fasting and prayer on which the people
were asked to gather at their places Of
worship and pray for the victory of the
American armies.
The Presidents proclamation says:
Whereas. the Congress Of the
United States, on the second day Of
April last. passed the following reso-
luton:
".Resolved by the Senate (the House
of Representatives concurring), That,
it being a duty particularly incum.
bent in a time of war humbly and
devoutly to acknowledge our do
pendence on Almighty God and to i'm
plore His aid and protection, the
President of the United States be. and
is hereby. respectfully requested to
recommend a day of public humilia-
ton, prayer and fasting. to be OBJ
served by the people of the United
States with religious solemnity and
the offering of fervent supplications
to the Almighty God for the safety
and welfare of our cause. His bless
ings on our arms. and speedy res
toration of an honorable and lasting
peace to the nations OF the earth
Citizens Exhorted to Pray.
And whereas it has always been
the reverent habit of the people of
the United States to turn in humble
guidance in the affairs of their COM
monwealth: now, therefore. I Wood
row Wilson, President of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim
Thursday, the thirtieth day of May,
already freighted with sacred and
stimulating memories. a day Of pub
lie humiliation, prayer and fasting.
and do exhort my fellow citizens of
all faiths and creeds to assemble on
that day in their several places of
worship and there. as well as in their
homes, to pray Almighty God that
He may forgive our sins and short
comings as a people and purify our
hearts to see and love the truth, 20
accept and defend all things that are
lust and right, and to purpose only
these righteous acts and judgments
which are in conformity with His
will; beseeching Him that He will
give victory to our armies as they
fight for freedom, wisdom to those
who take counsel on our behalf
in these days of dark struggle and
perplexity, and steadfastness to our
people to make sacrifice to the utmost
in support of what is just and true.
bringing us at last the peace in
which mems hearts can be at rest
because 1t is founded on mercy, JUS
tice and good will"
Observances in Old World.
The observance of Memorial day will
not be confined to the United States
and its insular dependencies. In every
capital, particularly London and Paris.
where are located even a handful of
American veterans a patriotic reun-
ion will be held.
out on the battlefront of northern
France, at few points SO close to the
lines that the gathering may be men
aced by shellfire from German bat
teries, there will take place simple
ceremonies commemoratfng the sac
rifice of those who met an honorable
death during the hrst year OF strife.
on that ield there will be drawn up
Eontinuod On Soyonteonth Pm