Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-09-04
MESSAGE FROM FRANCE |
ON LAFAYETTE DAY .
High Commission Sends Major
Malye as Its Representative
Celebration to Be Held Next
Sunday Afternoon Aroun d
Statue in College Green

Lafayette day will he celebrated in Bur
lington next Sunday, September I, and the
arrangements are nearly completed This
DAY celebrates not only the birthday of
Lafayette but also the anniversary of the
Battle of the Marine. Under the leader
ship of the War Camp Community Serv-
Ice. the various French organizatio of the
I city are cooperating with other organi-
atoms to make this day one long to be
remembered in the city for its symbolic
expression of the love which binds France
and America at this time. Burlington is
highly honored on this occasion, because
the French High Commission is sending
special representative, in the person of
Major Malye, to bring a message from
France to the people of this city, where
Lafayette once walked the streets, and
where his statue crowns the hilltop in
honor OF his participation in the laying of
the corner stone of the second "Old Mill'
at the University of Vermont
Burington's celebration of Lafayette
day will be conferred about this monument
on the hill, where everybody will gather
at $3.50 O'Clock Sunday afternoon to sing
THE Marsellaise," 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner" and America" and to listen
to the message which Major Malye has
to deliver Plans for this program were
outlined yesterday at a meeting of the
committee which has this celebration in
charge. The plans are not yet entirely
completed, but the general outline has
been decided upon.
There will be no gathering down town
this year, as was the case for the Bastile
day celebration last year. No procession
will be formed. Instead. the people will 60
directly to the statue at the head of Col
lege street and group themselves about
this historic spot in an informal manner.
The statue will be decorated and every
body is asked TO bring flowers to drop at
the feet of Lafayette Then the national
airs will be sung. to be followed
by the address of Major Malye.
The whole program will be kept short in
order that people may not become too
weary with standing.
Major Maybe, the speaker whom the
high commission has chosen to deliver
the message of the French nation on this
day, has an enviabe war record Going
into the fight the first day of the war
as leutenant-commander Of machine
gun company, he distinguished himself
many times on many fronts. He was
later attached TO the staff of his regi-
ment as first assistant to the colonel, and
received rapid promotion through the
rank of captain to that of major. He was
sent to the United States in July, 19ls as
an instructor and adviser in the United
States army at Camp Beauregard.
Louisiana. Following the armistice. he
was attached to the French mission in
Washington, and then in New York.
In coming together to hear the message
of Major Maye, the people of Burling-
ton are not only assured of a rare treat,
according to the committee in charge of
arrangements, but they are performing
n patriotic duty which is theirs as a
result of the great war. Such Is the
feeling between France and America at
the present time that it behooves every
loyal American to try to get better
understanding of his brothers across the
sea, and no finer way to do this can be
Imagined than by listening to one who
has been sent to Burlington expressly to
tell about the French people.
1t is especially requested that school
children of the city take part in the
celebration. Major Malye has particularly
asked that the children might come in
large numbers, so that he may be able
to tell them how much the children of
France owe to America. He has a spe-
cial message for the children and likes
to have them on hand for this occasion
The committee requests that all of the
children who can do so bring flowers for
the monument. and it would be particularly
pleasing if the young girls would appear
in white dresses.
II is also requested by Major Malye
that relatives and friends of men who
were in the service should be present on
this occasion, as he wishes to take this
opportunity to thank them in behalf of
France for their many sacrifices. AS In
the past, 1t is expected That Burlington
Will turn out in large numbers for this
ceremony of respect and love for France,
for Lafayette and for the heroes Of the
Marine.