The Washington times., 1919-11-11

DAY Of TRUCE
Special Exercises and Eleven
Minute Sings Mark Begin
ming of Celebration.

Eleven o'clock this morning was
the zero hour in Washington's OBJ
servance of Armistice Day.
At that time-marking the moment
when hostilities ceased one year ago
today-riflemen opened fire in Lafa-
yette Park, Stimulating the sound of
war, and then when this din ceased
the formal exercises began.
In Lafayette Park, memorial trees
were planted, the roll of States called,
and patriotic songs were sung.
Throughout the city at the same
time, groups of trained singers
started the choruses Of national airs,
and all citizens were asked to join
with them.
The first event was the planting of
a Lombardy poplar as a memorial to
It was planted by pupils Of the Force
School, which he attended. Lieuten-
ant Colonel Roosevelt telegraphed
thanks from Minneapolis.
Rain Fail. to Hamper.
The downpouring rain wAich fell
during the ceremonies at Lafayette
Park did little OF hamper the exer-
cises, although there was some change
in the program originally intended.
Lieut. Belvin Maynard, the flying
parson," who was to have offered a
prayer from his aeroplane, was pro-
hioited from flying, and the partici-
patton of the suadron from Boiling
Field was called off because of the
impossible fight weatherq. Commits
sioner Brownlow, who was to have
made a speech, could not attend be-
cause of a severe cold from which he
has been suffering lately.
Fairfax Naulty, in charge of the
opened the program with
a brief speech, and read the armistice
day proclamation of President Wilson,
after which he introduced Congress-
man Lee of California, who told of
the history of California's redwood
trees and the significant part they
have played in the development of
America.
PershinR Present.
General Pershing, accompanied by
an aide, arrived at the park during
the ceremony and was given an
ovation as he stepped. to the stand.
At the conclusion of MI. Lees speech
the commander-in-c -chief stepped to
the ground and threw the first shovel
full OF earth into the pit wherein a
redwood tree was to be
planted.
Senator Fernald of Maine and Sem
ator Fletcher of Florida, delivered
short addresses. As the hour ap-
preached IL o'clock the picked
platoon OF forty-eight sailors and
marines were called to attention.
Fire salute.
At one minute to IL o'clock, the
word was given to Commence fir-
ing" and a brisk salvc of rife fire
followed, lasting for one minute. The
platoon was ordered to present
arms" and the Naval Band played
the National Anthem. The silence
followed for one minute was a token
of respect paid to the soldiers who
fell in France on this day, one year
ago.
Two California redwood trees were
planted in the park by the American
Forestry Service. The trees were sent
from California especially for the
purpost. Boxes of earth from the
North, South, East, and West of the
United States were thrown into the
pit, and q Theoretically sealed glass
tube, bearing the President proclama-
ton of armistice day. the declaration
OF war with Germany, and a CODY of
the armistice terms, were buried with
the roots. During the ceremony of
planting the trees, Fairfax Naulty
called the roll of States, members OF
the crowd answering present" as the
name OF their native State was called.
Song Services.
Throughout the city, in the schools.
commercial houses and Government
departments. the eleven minutes fol-
lowing the hour were given over to
song services. those ioin-
ing in the singing being led by
choruses from the War Camp Com
munity Service.
Two schools OF the District planted
trees in memory of former pupils kill
ed during the war. A Lombardy pop-
lar tree was planted in memory OF
Quentin Roosevelt once a pupil at
Force School on Massachusetts ave-
nue., and a tree was planted and dedi-
Gated by the pupils of the Tenleytown
School in memory of Elmer KidwelI.
Benjamin Terry, Aubrsy Reed and II
all of whom were former
pupils at that school.