The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-12
FRANCE IS GRATEFUL
FOR OHIO MEMS AID
Marcel knccht at Annual Din
ncr Tells Buckeyes Of
Their Great Work.
WILSON PLAN ENDORSED
Bunau-Narilla Pays Tribute to
ROOscvclt-Bab ingtOn
Smith Talks.

At the annual bandnst and victory
celebration OF the ohio Society of New
York in the Waldorf Astoria last evening
Marcel kncchi member of the Frcuch
High Commiss on. made . speech in
which he paid what he declared 70 be
the tribute of a grateful son OF France
10 the soldiers and men OF Ohio who
had done much TO help 1rSAo atout the
downfall of German autocracy. Among
them he mentioned especially ex-fresi-
dent Taft Secretary Baker, Wilbur and
Orville Wright. Myron r. Hsrrick, prcsi
dent Of the Ohio Society and one time
Ambassador to France. and Ambassador
William c. Sharp. Hc said in part:
Some will perhaps wonder why
representative of the Republic of
France, speaking on behalf of Alsace
and Lorraine. has chosen as subject:
The Splendid Effort OF Ohio in the Great
War
There IS an important reason. Al
SAGE and LORRAINE have become French
again, because their noble cause had
always two enthusiastic and generous
advocates. Ambassadors Myron r. Her
rick. our president and dear friend, and
William G. Sharp.
Was it not in Sedan. in 1870. that
tie tragic fate OF our beloved provinces
was sealed? And then was Il not the
victorious battle of Sedan in 1918 which
turned the scales of destiny?
Sedan was retaken by officers and
soldiers OF the Ohio units and the he
roic armies of the United Sta ties. which
were so spontaneously given to Mar
shall Foch by Pershing and fought At
Chateau Thierry. st. Mhiel and Thau-
court. and had been SO quickly and re-
ruarkably organized hy another son of
Ohio, Secretary Newton II. Baker. one
Of your great statesmen. President Taft
Of Ohio, has never ceased In his numer-
GUS public speeches and articles Ito
plead the eternal rights OF Strasbourg
and Of Metz.
wright Brothers Aided France.
when two brothers. Wilbur and Or
VILE Wright, glorious representatives OF
Ohio and Of America, raised very high
in the sky OF France the Stars Of the
Union they were helped in their first
conquest Of the air by an Alsatan. La
zare Weller, and by Il Lorrainer. NJ.
Deutsch de la Meurthe.
Heart has also been the inspiration
or the construction work Of another
great Clevelander. Secretary Newton u.
Baker. who increasingly encouraged the
United War Work on the front and in
the camps.
Ambassador Sharp understood
Of his predecessor opened his Kind heart
to the stricken people Of France. Once
again the hearts of Ohio ana Paris were
affectionately united. In 1915 and 1916
Ambassador and Mrs Sharp represented
America with rema rkable tact and
with a touching spirit of humanity. 1t
was bold at that time in suffering France
for any neutral Ambassador to wish 10
become or TO remain popular.
acted so gently that We all felt his pro-
found love OF France and gave him COM
plete credit. France was rewarded
when. after your declaration of war
Ambassador Sharp visited several times
our ravaged districts and published re-
ports OF historic Importance"
Wilson's Peace Views Endorsed.
Sir Henry Darlington smith. acting
British High Commissioner to the United
States, in his address added an en-.
thusiastc Endorsement to President
Wilson's demand for league of ma.
tons. He declared that the world
locks to the peace conference not
only TO make a present peace but also
to guarantee Its permancnce by estab-
fishing IA world league to preserve it,
president Wilson has rightly inter
ireted the earnest conviction and de-
sire Of the whole world in his demand
for a league Of nations" the British
Commissioner declared The one fact6,
which has contributed more potently
Than any other to the winning OF the
war is the flctor of unitv--untty of aim
unity OF effort. and unity of direction
nd command. When the full history ot
The war comes to be written we shall
l'now, better even than We know now
Low unity Of command made possible the
crushing blows of the last months OF
the war.
IF it be true that unity is essentia
for gaining victory in war. il is no less
rue that unity IL indispensable for lay.
ing the foundations of a just and endur.
:n6 peace
Sees Difficult Task Ahead.
Sir Henry expressed the opinion thai
the establishment Of the league would bt
he most difficult task conceivable. bu
that a fundamental unity of aims be
tween tn" allied nations and the United
States would enable them TO reconcil,
differences Of opinion that have ariser
pl will arise in the course of the con
ference as to the means. and methods t,
be used
The objection that a league OF ma