New-York tribune., 1920-11-22
Milwaukeeans
Present PLAQUE
To Strasburg
Tablet in Commemoration
of ''The Marseillaise'' is
Unveiled; Foch Expresses
French Gratitude to u. S.
Optimistic Over Future
Recalls Great Work of Two
Divisions; Says Pershing
Comes of Alsatian Stock

STRASBURG, ALSACE LORRAINE
Nov. 2l.-A large bronze plaque COM
memorating "The Marseillaise," the
French national song, which was writ
ten here in 1892 by Captain Claude Jo-
seph Rouget de Lisle, was presented to
Strasburg to-day by q delegation from
Milwaukee, Wis. The ceremony of
presentation gave to Marshal Foch an
opportunity to voice Frances good
feeling toward the United States and
the marshaPs own optimism as to the
future.
when I recall the past and when |
see the present." said Marshal Foch, "I
90 not doubt the future that awaits us. ~
In addition to Marshal Foch there
were present General Weygand, as
slstant to Foch during the war; Cen
eral Gouraud, who commanded the army
that entered Strasburg after the war;
G. f. Alapette. Commissioner General
to Alsace; NJ. e.bel, Under Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, and Colonel T.
BENTLEY Mott, the American Military
Attache, representing Hugh C. Wallace,
the American Ambassador.
After a review of the troops the
American delegation assembled before
the statue of Kleber, opposite the City
Hall, where the addresses were de-
livered. Lawrence Fitch was spokeA
man for the Americans.
Cheers for Americans
Local organizations paraded to the
tune of '"The Marseillaise," shouting
Long live the United States!" Long
live the Americans!" and Long live
our brothers of America"
'''1his plaque, sculptured by Daniel
Chester French. of New York" said
will remain here as a permanent sym
Dol of our affcction--a symbol not only
Of Milwaukee, but Of all the American
people. The bronze of this plaque
taken from the banks Of Lake Mich
igan, will be as enduring throughout
the ages as our friendship"
Half the city Of Milwaukee, Mr..
Fitch added. was animated by German
sympathy, but the delegation for the
presentation had come to Strasburg
to affirm that the other half was pro-
foundly sympathetic to the Allies.
Colonel Mott, on behalf of Mr.. Wal
lace, read the message sent by the
Ambassador. The message ended with
the statements: THAT which Rouget
de Lisle prophesied, France has ac-
CpulpllSncu, anu IOl lOl iiCi olOitVl
civilization itself was saved at the
Marine by the French Army to the
sound Of The Marseillaise.'
Marshal Foch, in replying, referred
to the role which Jean Baptiste Kleber,
the noted French General of Napole-
onic days, who was born in Strasburg
had played in French history.
Alsace Claims Pershing
But" he added, ''if you wish TO go
back a little into history we will see
that it was from an Alsatian family,
fror1 Alsatian stock, that came Pershing
ommander-in-chief OF the American
armies, of the Great War armies he
led to victory. 1t is because | shared
with him the honor Of leading those
valiant battalions to battle that l
praise him, his past and his origin
which Alsace can claim by good title. v
Referring to Mr.. Fitch's description
Of part of Milwaukee having been pro
German. Marshal Foch continues:
"But she took her part by bringing
strong sentiment and strong aid in
material and men to the Allies. The
United States itself responded with
generosity and gave all she had to aid
France, which wrote to President Will
son, we do not know when the war
VIII emu, Uul IL IL necessary, perhaps,
to prepare more divisions than you can
furnish"
But in 1918 President Wilson an
swered us, You will have in June. 1918
one hundred divisions. And if you
wish more you shall have them
Cites Valor of Two Divisions
"The part OF Milwaukee and America
cannot sum up in the brief time |
Il l,,t a.
will tell You that the Goth and 32d Di-
visions fought to TIE limit in the Ar
gonne. TfAy gave without counting the
cost, and in particular they took for
midable positions at Montfaucon. And
they led rs victorious to the Meuse and
from the Meuse to Sedan. That is why
| ask you not to forget Milwaukee to-
day.
you bring evidence of the senti-
nont that unites Milwaukee and Stras-
burg. When l recall the past, when |
see the present, l do not doubt the
future that awaits us. Just as union
has been our strength and given us in
contestable victory in the past, so the
union of our peoples and the bonds OF
sentiment uniting in their glorious past
America and France, which are now
one, will bring about the DEVELOPMENT
"'tN ~ N-PSi4'y VI Jul lWO ndllOnS.
under-Secretary Rebel, on behalf of
the French Government, presented
decorations to the Americans. Mr.
Fitch was made q chevalier of the Le-
gion of Honor. The insignia was CON
ferred by Marshal Foch. Messrs. Kar-
low. O'Neil, Guerey and Earlng were
made officers Of public instruction.
Messrs. Uller, Firthjarnt Hickok and
thompson were named officers OF the
Academy. DR.. King, Miss Goodrich and
Albert Blum were made cheyaliers Of
the Legion of Honor.