Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-04


Not since the Declaration of
independence was signed, I43
years ago, have other nations OBJ
served Americas birthday on a
scale to equal the festival which
is being staged in Washington
today.
Spectacular Features.
The picturesque tableaux on the
steps of government buildings from
5 until Z o'clock, the procession of
elaborate floats which will pass down
Pennsylvania avenue at z and the
pantomime episodes on the Capitol
steps at 9 will all express the pent-up
joy of the world at the coming of
peace after five years of war.
Washington began this Indepen-
dence day with an impressive cere-
mony on the Monument grounds in
honor of its men and women who
enlisted in the military service and
helped win the victory which the ma
tions will celebrate here this evening.
Five thousand women and children,
seated in a grandstand at the base
of the Monument, wearing red. white
and blue caps and capes. formed
huge human flag as the background
before which the returned fighters OF
the District stood to receive medals
of honor from their city. asl .sssf
international Calculation.
All is in readiness. for the curtain
to rise at o'clock this evening on
to be staged as an expression of the
ioy of the world at the return of
peace.
Official representatives of more than
forty nations co-operated in arranE-
ing the demonstration, which will
exceed in size and grandeur any fes-
tival ever held in the District.
The celebration is divided into three
parts:
First, the series of tableaux to be
buildings near the Monument grounds,
symbolic of the return of the people
Of the earth to the pursuits of peace.
Second. the pageant of gorgeous
floats which will pass down Pennsyl-
vania avenue at Z o'clock from the
Treasury to the Capitol.
Third, the chorus of a thousand
voices on the east steps of the Capt.
toll at $50. followed by final tab
leau, representing Peace" descend
ing again upon the world with vic
shown in triumph over Hatred" and
Jealousy"
The day will be brought to a spec
tacular close. with a display of fire.
works sent into the air from the
Monument grounds.
Large Crowd This Morning.
The throng that gathered on the
Monument grounds this morning to
witness the presentation of medals to
the Districts returned soldiers vas
regarded by the managers of the
peace celebration as the forerunner of
an even larger crowd that will turn out
to see the festival this evening.
Another impressive event of the
morning was the procession of wound
ed YankS, some in wheel chairs and
automobiles. through the grounds of
Walter Reed Hospital. They passed
in review before hospital officials and
scores of friends. who gathered in
front of the administration building.
The parade was followed by an ath
letic meet in which many of the
slightly crippled boys took part.
Prizes were awarded for each event.
This afternoon the nurses of the hos
pital are engaged in a tennis tourna-
ment, and this evening there will be
fireworks at the hospital for the SOL
diers who are not able to get down.
town.
Petworth and Georgetown.
One of the most picturesque of the
smaller events of the day was the
pageant staged by the children of
Petworth this morning. Dressed in
character costumes OF many colorS
and descriptions the boys and girls
paraded through the streets of their
neiehborhood with hundreds Of rela-
lives and friends lined along the side
walks to watch them:
This pageant was the first event of
an all-day program arranged for the
people of Petworth by a citizens COM
mittee of that section.
An old-time Independence day pro-
gram was given on the lawn of the
HYDE School at 10 o'clock this morn
ing for the people of Georgetown. In
place of prominent orators the COM
mittee selected little children to speak
on George Washington, the signing of
the Declaration of Independence and
other events in American history
Randle Park and st. Elizabeth's.
The residents of Congress Heights
,y;II hold tournament in Randle
park this afternoon. There will be
actresses by Matt Halloran ad p. j.
Haltigan. other events on the pro-
gram include a band concert and a
At St. Elizabeth's Hospital patients
,nd attendants. and officials and their
friends, will take part in impressive
ceremonies which will be followed by
athletic contests.
NONSTOP FLIGHT HALTED.
Weather Prevents Start From Har-
Dor Grace for New York.
HARBoR GRACE. N. F., July A.
Dense fog, following a heavy rain
during the night. caused Vice Admiral!
Mark Kerr to announce at am to-
day that the start OF the Handley-
page nonstop flight to New York
had been postponed until the weather
cleared. which would probably be
some time this afternoon.