New-York tribune., 1919-09-11

people. Our armies have carried with
them to the battlefelds Of France the
patriotism and the spirit of sacrifice
of our people at home; and it is not
too much to say that never in the his
tory of war has any army been more
loyalty or patriotically supported bv
its government and by its people.
1T is not my purpose to recount here
tonight the deeds Of our armies in
France. The Republic entered the war
thoughtfully and with high purpose,
free from selfintcrest or the lure of
gain. always sustained by an abiding
fought without lust of conquest, but
with the proud consciousness of a
righteous cause. Joining our gallant
gallant but war-worn Allies, then
threatened with failure, we gave them
new courage and finally shared with
them the complete and glorious VIC
tory.
"The State of New York may we'll
be proud of the part taken by its SOL
diers, scattered as they have been
throughout the various units of the
American Expeditionary Forces. Wise
forethought has fostcred in your Ma
tional Guard, patriotic spirit, that
carried forward with impetuous dash
your splendid 27th Division while serv-
ing with the British army, and added
new laurels to American arms.
77th Division Welded Togthcr
"This same spirit welded together
the 77th Division, in whose cosmopoli-
tan personnel were many nationalities
and some eighty religious beliefs. 1t
made OF that division a fighting unit
whose proud record in the Meuse- Ar
gonne battle has become part Of the
history of your state.
"Regimcnts and divisions of our
army have passed through New York
City en- route to Europe or returning
home, and the affectionate attentions
shown them will be long remembered.
Our wounded have received your tender
care and solicitudc, and for every need
have the citizens OF New York given
their personal services and their wealth
IN generous measure.
Nearly hundred years ago Lafay-
cite embarked for the last time from
the spot on which we landed on Mon
day morning. He left our young ma
tion under heavy obligation to him
and to France. The happy moment
seems to have arrived when we can
proudly say to His direct descendant,
Colonel de Chambrun, who is here with
US tonight, and through him to the
people Of France, that in fighting our
own battles we have also in large
measure fulfilled that obligation.
The traditions which are our ma
tional heritage have set for us a stand
ard difficult to maintain. but when the
history of this generation is written
by critical posterity there will be no
rcproach upon us for any lack of vigor
or courage or patriotism, or any abase-
ment of the precious ideals that came
TO us as a sOlmcn trust from our fore
fathers. | thank you"
Archbishop Hayes. Rodman Wana-
maker and Mayor Hylan also spoke.
The Mayor spoke first
Mayor Praises Pershing
The Mayor, addressing General Per-
shing, said:
May you live long in the world saved
by the American armies under your
command, in the country whose cher
ished institutions were the object of
your keencst solicitude, under the flag
which you bring back, freed from the
dark shadow of Prussian domination
and sancttfed by the blood of Amer
ica's manhood, and may the memory
of your distinguished services in the
greatest war in all recorded history
fill your heart with supreme Joy and
your soul with the peace that passeth
all understanding
May God continue to raise up among
us, men Of sterling character, of un-
daunted courage, of love for liberty,
and humanity like Washington, JEFF
ferson, Lincoln, Grant, Roosevelt, Will
son and, last but not least, the greatest
Of great generals, John J. Pershing.
Secretary Baker was then introduced.
He began with a description of the
contribution that America had made
to Allied victory-so much greater, he
said, than even the most optimistic Of
the Allies believed we could make. He
told how the French asked for at
most, a division, for the first and later
expected us to raise an army of per-
haps 100000.
Change in German Attitude
He also spoke of the gradual change
in Germany's attitude toward America
and Americas power, and of the great
drive of 1918 unlcashed to win the war
before the United States could make
her full strength felt
General Foch," Secretary Baker
continued, said the campaign of 1918
must necessarily be defensive cam
paign for the most part; that there
were certain contingencies in his mind
whereby it might possibly be turned
INTO an offensive campaign, but he
looked forward to defensive campaign
in 1918. Field Marshal Haig said that
they had discovered that they had to