New-York tribune., 1919-07-30
France Declines to
Permit Removal of
u. S. Soldier Dead
Fear of Epidemics and of
Renewed Mourning and
Sorrow Given as Reason in
War Department Bulletin
Nsac York Tribune
WCsh;nOtOu Burenn


WASHINGTON, July 29.-Until the
french government consents the bodies
OF the American soldiers buried in
french cemeteries cannot be returned
to the United States, the War Depart
ment announced to-day.
mere are approximately 4.50O 900
podles inferred in France as result
OF the war. The attitude of the French
government is against the removal of
any OF these, and legislation prohibit
ing the removal for period of three
years from January /, 1919, is now
before the French Parliament. Pending
the enactment of this law, the matter
IS regulated by Ministerial action along
the same lines as the proposed legis-
lation.
France objects to the removal of the
soldier dead because the disinterment
would result in numerous funerals and
renewed mourning, adding to the period
OF national depression and sorrow. Also
the transfer Of large numbers Of bodies
might be productive Of epidemics and
pestilence
Negotiations in Progress
Negotiations with the French GOV
ernment, the War Department state
ment says, are now in progress with
a view to obtaining g modification of
the prohibition in order that the re-
quests of American relatives for the
return Of their soldier dead NAV be
granted. The War Department, how
ever, warns that in many cases it would
be undesirable that caskets on their
arrival in this country should be opened
because OF the condition Of some Of the
bodies
While the War Department desires
to conform to the wishes OF relatives
it was pointed cut to-day that many
have expressed a desire not to have
the bodies of their dead returned.
Among these" says the War De-
partment statement, were two Of our
most distinguished citizens, both SER
vice men, the one an ex-solder and
ex-Pres ident, the other a sailor; the
late Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and
Admiral Gustav Kaemmerling. U. S
n, each of whom wrote in effect that
he could conceive Of no greater honor
for his dead son than to rest where
he fell fighting the foes of civilization,
upon a battlefield of France"
Confidence was expressed in the de-
partment statement that the American
government would provide "American
fields of honor to be cared fol- and
maintained by the United States gov
ernment.
Tracts Offered by France
"The French government" the state
ment said, has considerably offered
to cede .everal tracts of land for this
purpose. One of them, at Romagne-
Sous -Montfaucon, is in the heart of
the MeuseArgonne battlefield An
other is near the city of Paris, upon
the slopes Of Mont Valeren, overlook
ing the pretty town Of Suresnes, the
valley of the Seine and the Bos de
Boulogne No more beautiful site
could be imagined. The municipality
Of Paris already has constructed a
splendid highway called Boulevard
Washington, connecting the latter
cemetery with the French capital.
"If We follow the example Of oul
Allies no private monuments viii be
permitted to be erected over the
graves, and thus all discrimination
will be avoided. Where every ono die
so we'll in life there should be no dis
tinction in death. On the contrary
standard or uniform headstones viii
be provided at the public expense, as
in our national cemeteries, differing
only in the inscriptions and symbols
of religious faith. and possib J
grouped in accordance Herewith. Per
haps national monuments may be
erected, as we'll as state memorials
after being passed upon by an ar
commission and with the approval o,
the proper authorities, thus making
one or more enduring testimonials tc
the courage of the American soldier
and to the decisive part played by tht
/ I'm tied States in the great war;