The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-08

| the hearts and affections Of SO, 900, 600
Frenchmen, because OF the stamp of the
American manhood and the imprint OF
American ideals which the troops carry.
To contribute to that end Is the gorl-
Gus privilege Of the knights OF Column
bus. and the very effective manner In
which you are taking hold of the for
midable task will receive lasting CON-
mendation."
"Fighting Priest" Speaks.
The convention was literally stam-
peded when the Rev. NJ. Borde D'Arrere
delivered his message In French. The
Fighting Priest" has been mentioned a
great many times In news dispatches
| coming to this country. He was
wounded three times at the front and
| coveted decorations have been bestowed
upon him by the French Government for
deeds Of valor in the advance posts. His
| speech was spontaneous and delivered
as II was by man in the uniform Of
the French soldier ana in the French
language. tempered with the fire of a
mind that has seen and knows what
battle means. thrilled the delegates
through and through His speech was
later translated by Mr.. Kneoht. as fol-
| lows:
II am deeply touched by the reception
given to his Excellency (Mr. Knecht)
the High Commissioner and myself. and
accept II as an evidence Of the cordial
friendship for France of the people Of
America. I know. from what I have
seen of the Americans at the front, the
; spirit OF this great nation. Many months
before the United States entered the war
had witnessed the splendid qualities OF
the American boys in the Foreign lie.
gion put to the test of battle
"One fine young American ] particu-
larly recolect. He would sing the Mar
| seilla,so whenever his company was or
dered to attack. and the zest with which
he sang the fighting hymn inspired his
comrades with the same magnificent
valor that he himself displ' yed. This
same boy, singing the 'Marse!llaise'
during n charge upon the enemy was
pierced to the heart by bullet. His
last breath ended on the words of the
glorious hymn. which were caught up by
his comrades. who captured the enemy
trench and afterwards bore back the
brave young American, to be laid to rest
with full military honors.
Messages Sent to Leaders.
IT am sure that the wholehearted
prosecution of the war by America will
bring about victory for justice and I
know that the work being done by the
Knights OF Columbus for the American
troops In France is heartily appreciated
as well as understood by the French
people. who will. whether civil or mil
itary. cooperate with the Knights in
every possible way"
Messages giving assurance that the
Knights Of Columbus will continue in
the future. as they have in the past. with
their work among the soldiers we're sent
to President Wilson. Gen. Pershing. Am
hassador Jusserand and Capt. Andre
Tardieu. General Commissioner of
Relations. Paris. A
communication was received by the del
egation from Cardinal Farley. Arch
bishop Of New York. welcoming the
delegates to the convention.
William p. Larkin of New York, w.
J. Mulligan of Connecticut. Luke f. Hart
OF ST. Louis and John +. Martin of Green
Bay. Wis, were elected supreme direc-
J tors Of the order.
In the afternoon about 200 delegates
and their wives were taken on n trip
around New York harbor by Deputy Po-
lice Commissioner Harris on his yacht
Surf
Murray Hulburt, Commissioner of
Docks and Ferries. met the party at the
boat and welcomed them as civic guests.
DR.. Harry F. Swift. chairman of the
New York Chapter. Knights of Column
bus. and Genevieve Walsh. as the COM
mittee of entertainment. also welcomed
! the visitors.
Passing down the river were several
ferry boats filled with soldiers in bust
nesslike khaki \ little further down
| the visitors were afforded a view of a
| number of camoufiaged ships and sub
marine chasers. A great number were
| from the West and inland points and
| had never viewed ocean ships in war
paint before.
In the evening the committee on en-
| tertainment provided automobiles for
delegates to visit Coney Island. They
| left the Waldorf at s o'clock and re-
| turning left Coney Island at midnight.
Although the pleasure park was crowded
| to overlooking last night. the outing was
| a success and the victory convention
| closed with great enthusiasm.