Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-11-12
Body of Unknown Soldier
Laid to Rest Beneath the
Arc de Triomphe
IMPRESSIVE AFFAIR
Never in Nations History Has King
or Emperor Been Accorded Such
HOnGrs

Paris, Nov. 12.-An unknown SOL
der, the symbol of Frances victory
in the war, was laid in its final rest
ing place beneath the Arc de
Triomphe yesterday in an apotheosls
of glory accompanied by expressions
of the gratitude OF 100000 of his
countrymen and Allies. Never in the
history of France has king or em-
peror been accorded such honors as
those rendered the unknown soldier.
The body of Napoleon returning from
st. Helena did not stir the French to
such depth of emotion as did this
obscure, nameless man.
Not cheer was heard and not a
| tear was shed, the five-year war hav-
ing long since dried up the wells of
Paris tears. The SILENCE was respect
fully oppressive. Today broke dull,
with: a heavy fog hanging like a pal
over the silent city.
The most impressive ceremony vas
at the Pantheon where all the promi-
ment men of political, official and judi
cial Paris had assembled. Three mar
siaals Of France, all the generals pro-
minent in the war and the whole Dip
lomatic corps, with the exception OF
the German Ambassador, listened to
President Millerands speech.
Addressing the unknown soldiers
coffin, President MilIerand alluded to
the~American .scldiers, SAYING
"Unkncwn soldier, nameless and
triumphant representative of the gal
liant multitudes Of poilus; the dead
who lie in cold graves in the soil OF
Flanders, Champagne, Verdun and so
y many other battlefields; famous or
unknown; young heroes who came to
| us from the ether side Of the Atlantic
! the British Isles and distant domin-
\ ions; from Italy, Belgium and Servia;
from all points, of the earth to offer
YOUR iives for the ideal which France
once mere is representing, sleep IN
peace! you have fulfilled your des-
tiny"
Presider. M;llerard ended his adj
dress with tribute to Leon Gamoet-
ta, the famous French patriot. whom
he spoke of as "GanJbetta, who IN
1870 was the great organizer Of the
j national defense; Gam.betta, who af-
ter the treaty of Frankfort awaited
the revenge of imminent justice;
Gambetta, whose enthusiasm, warm
tn of heart and whole aspiration of
\ soul was on the morrow of disaster
a song of hope soaring above the
ruins; .Gambetta, whom my llustra-
tious predecessor called part Of the
religion of France"
After the Presidents Grafton the
procession took UP the march to the
Arc de Triomphe. President Miller
and walked bareheaded. with Marsha!s
Joffe, Fcch and Petain in full re-
gaia following, behind battered:
1855 gun of the model of 1915 bearing
the body of the unknown poilu.
Valorous. multilated soldiers, pain
fully drawing their wounded bodies,
la,t with faces radiant with pride,
opened the procession. I'VE captur-
ed Gverchy," one soldier minus a
leo said. 81 would go through It
again if necessary"
Old poilus of the Ma.ne battle OF
1914, wearing red trousers and kep's
received subdred applause. While
Flowers were thrown from the win
towS on the car bearing the heart CT
y Gambe,ta
| The procession reached the Arc de
Tricmphe shortly after rocn. The
\, hcdy of the poilu and the urn contain
|, ing the heart of Gambetta were
paced in the Chape!le Ardente and
:he procession broke up. The crowds
we're permitted to file past the ccffin
and then wende6 their way homewarcI
after one last lcok at the soldier
.draped in the tri-co!or flag. above
which was the inscription. "Thou
Shalt Not Pass to achieve which
this, as we'll as a mi,l;cn and afha!i
ether Frenchmen. gave up their l:veS
Yesterday afternoon a group of lit
Ike girls, in the name of the Frenel
Government, decorated the graves O
American soldiers in Smesnes eme
te.y, IN the presence of -Ambassadc