The Washington times., 1920-07-14
AMERICA PAYS
FRANCE HONOR
President Wilson and Secretary
Baker Observe Anniversary
Of Bastile Day.

The French tri-color 10 ry!ns today
over the White House side by side
with the Stars and Stripes, while
official Washington Is honorinx Bas-
tile Day. the July ith" OF the French
republic.
Officials OF the Government Joined
with the French embassy as a recip-
rocal courtesy to France in observing
her Independence Day and President
Wilson. on behalf of the American
people. will send a message OF con-
sratulations to the President OF
France.
TRIBUTE ny BAKER.
A special tribute was paid by Sec
rotary OF War Baker shortly after
noon. when, accompanied by Gen.
Peyton c. Marsh and other officers
OF high rank, he visited the graves
OF the French soldiers buried In
Arlington National Cemetery. Secre-
tary Baker placed upon their graves
a wreath of honor on behalf Of the
Government "in general remembrance
OF the services rendered by them and
their associates In the French army
and navy to the cause of civilization,
and in particular remembrance CT the
services rendered by those soldiers to
the army of the United States"
Ambassador Jusserand and attaches
of the French embassy Joined the
party which journeyed to the en-
bassy. There were no formalities
other than the simple decoration
which usually characterizes the OBJ
servance of similar memorials to
American soldiers on memorial days,
Secretary OF State Colby. referring
to the tribute Of the French people
on Independence Day said: II. is an
appropriate act for our people to
blend the American and French flags
on their business houses and homes
on Bastile Day. 1t is an expression
of cordiality toward that people
whose warm friendship has been
cherished by this country since the
earliest days Of the Republic"
PERsHING TO FOCH.
General Pershing last night sent
the following message to Marshall
Foch on behalf of the Americans who
fought side by side with the French:
"Your American friends and com
rades in arms send to the French army
and people their most cordial greet
lHBs anu leliSitdtiohS oh thC ihcp'' 3" .
occasion OF your victory day. Bound
together in friendship by historic ties
dating back to the Revolution firm
ly cemented in the world war by the
blood of our sons on common battle
/, fields, your people and ours may look
with confidence into the future and
| rejoice together in the present that
our unity Is unimpaired and that we
have maintained for posterity our
| high national ideals of liberty and
| justice. We pay all honor and trib-
ute to the glorious dead who have
given their lives in defense OF these
noble principles. May France enjoy
| the peace and prosperity which she
has so richly earned and which she
! celebrates today"
There was one other group in Wash,
ington that deeply felt the signifi'
| canoe of Bastile Day for today Is also
the anniversary of the opening of the
last Great German offensive.
| The District field hospital unit (F
H. No. 1851 of the Rainbow division
was in line with other elements Of
| that division on the Champagne front
east Of Rheims and directly protect
| ing Chalons from the German ad
vance. In this sector the GermanI
were repulsed with heavy losses and
| their failure to advance, together will
Foch's counter offensive proved to b'
the turning point of the war.