Evening star., 1919-02-23

u - - - ~ ~
member I. e., executive chairman,
making almost annual inspection trips
to the one or the other localities.
X Il
In Cuba, ON promise of President
Palma, the original plans included
the construction of five miles Of deco
rative driveway along the line OF
American trenches, but immediately
following tho formal dedication Of
the Caney battle monument, In which
the republic OF Cuba participated
through it's highest officials, military
forces and rural guards. owing to the
revolution in Cuba and the resigna-
tion of President Palma, the plans
were curtailed to include only the battle
monument at Ell Caney, an observa-
tion tower on the site of Fort San
Juan and the beautiful memorial to
the American dead. 1t consists of
four great bronze folio tablets con.
tanning the names of the 1900 Ameri-
cans killed In action or who died dur
ing the campaign, one for each of the
four divisions. arranged alphabet
cally by brigades and regiments, after
the style of bronze Egyptian folio
tablets. From the top of the observa-
tion tower magnificent view Is OBJ.
tanned of the entire Santiago battles
field. extending from Ell Paso to Ell
Caney, with the distances and direc-
tions indicated on bronze plates on
the upper floor OF the tower.
On the outer walls Of the tower are
fastened the huge bronze tablets con-
tanning the roster by brigades. regi-
ments, batteries and separate troops
of the cavalry division and the 1st
Infantry Division, together with the
names of the killed during the. siege
organization. At Ell Caney the old
ruins of Fort Ell Veso have been pre-
served by concrete in the shape in
which it surrendered. and the roster
and honor tablets (of the dead) ara
attached to the concrete base, or the
observation tower.
In the matter of the China campaign.
a similar plan was pursued FOR mark
ing the progress of the American ex-
pedition for the relief OF Peking or
1900. A bronze monument with tablet
3 by feet, containing the names OF
the killed of the 9Th Infantry. and
United States marines. IN the Tien.
tsin engagement. on July 13. 1900,
has been erected on the spot whers
Col c. II. Lucum fell. and inclosed In
a park in the Japanese concession.
Owing to the small number Of Amer.
lean troops there engaged 1t was pos"
sible to place on the walls OF the lee
cation guard compound Of the Ameris
can embassy at Peking bronze tabs
lets containing the names of every
officer of the Army. Navy and MAJ
rines engaged in the campaign. are
ranged by regiments and ships az
well as the names OF the killed ana
dead during the campaign. and of the
sailors and marines who composed the
legation guard and saved the foreign
legations during the siege or fekings
The Secretary of War. after ap<
proving the plans of the commission
and the inscriptions prepared for the
memorials, authorized their fabricas
ton at the Rock Island arsenal ana
instructed the quartermaster general
to disburse the moneys Appropriated
man. And although Col. Hayes has
made the almost annual inspection
trips already mentioned. the appropri<
ated funds have been expended exclus
siveIy for Che construction and erection
of the memorials and fixtures; and-unf
usual phenomenon--there remains an
unexpended balance of several thousand
dollars,
All this is by way of preliminary
information on subject demanding
reverent meditation OF the public.
Now that the crash of war Is overs
the spots being reverently marked
where all our heroes fell. 1t will res
main for the American people to dee
eide how they are to be finally hons
ored. brought back. or be left sleepA
ing where they fell. In either case
two beautiful honors impose them&
selves on hearts and sense. One is thd
Battlefield Park, in France. be it GEM
etery or empty memorial chow eau
they be empty). The other is the
bronze column In each county seats
Inscribed with the names of the boys
of the county, who died to make the
world decent place to live in!
STERLING HEILIG.