The New York herald., 1921-10-03
Ceremony Most Impressive.
BIZ The Associated Press

By The Associated Press.
PARIS. Oct. 2.-When Gen. Pershing in
the presence OF an immense throng, in
cluding President Milerand and other
high officials Of the republic, to-day
laid the Congressional Medal Of Honor
upon the tomb Of the unknown poilu
under the Arc de Triomphe the ceremony
was the most impressive expression Of
Franco-American unity since the United
States declared war on Germany in
April, 1917.
A military review, second In size only
to the historic victory parade, followed
the ceremony. A picked battalion of
American troops. representative of all
units comprising the American forces on
the Rhine, led the parade. which was re-
viewed by President Millerand, Gen.
Pcrshing. Amba ssador Herrick and all
the inarshals of France. The presence
of large body of American troops In
Paris for the first time since 1919 cause:
an outburst of enthusiasm from the
thousands OF Parisians who lined the
Avenue des Champs Elysees and the
Place de fEtoile, where the arch is
located.
Before placing the decoration on the
unknown soldiers tomb Gen. Pershng
stood before 1t at salute for several min
utes. Then in voice shaking with emo
tion he declared:
I'm the name of the President and
OF the people of the United States as
token of our perpetual belief In the
righteousness OF the cause for which
you died. and as a mark Of respect
and admiration to you and to your
countrymen, place this Congress
sional Medal OF Honor upon your
tomb"
T1,o yr1cr hao q In.fu ~ hon Fro,
Coblenz then played the "Marseillaise"
and the "Star Spangled Banner
Calls Unknown n Comrndc.
Gen. Pershings speech made a pro-
found impression upon the assemblage
and brought tears TO many eyes. Refer
ring to the unknown as Soldier OF
France. Dear Friend and My Comrade,"
the General said
salute IN your noble life and in your
tragic death you who have become
20 the world an immortal symbol OF
devotion to the highest ideals OF man
kind. Your vaior on many fields will
ever remain an inspiration to living
mothers, who weep over your grave
as they recall the heroism OF their
own brave sons.
Your allied comrades remember
with deep emotion how you cheered
them as you fell. They praise your
gallant deeds while they renew their
vows of allegiance to the principles
for which you fought. Dear friend.
your battle Is over. You sleep quietly
amid the noisy traffic of a great city.
For you the victory is Won You
gave your last drop of life's blood
for liberty, and in the glorious sacri-
flee Of your youth was born the hope
heart there Is malice toward none.
but charity for all. II IL this spirit.
and this alone, which will establish
confidence among nations.
You fought against the calamity OF
war, but your work will not be com
pleted until the burdens which the
preparations for war impose are
lifted from the shoulders of all peo-
pies. You gave your all for peace,
but your gift will be barren unless
a generous spirit of unselfsh COOP
Grafton arises to take the place OF
hatred. Unknown soldier. to you OF
whom thousands Of mothers ask. "Is
II my SOM" to your tomb. which Is
for France the altar of the country.
bring the love and affection OF the
American soldiers who fought beside
you and the valiant soldiers OF
France.
Proof Of Americas Fricndship.
Louis Barthou. Minister of War. ac-
cepting the decoration in the name of
Fl ance. said
We have confidence In the Govern
nnent and in the people of America.
who in 1917. after calm deliberation
and reason, threw themselves into
the furious struggle In which civil
ization was menaced. The medal
with which you have just decorated
the unknown poilu we accept as proof
OF your admiration. but we also see
therein the token OF your friendship.
We have fought together FOR the
same Ideals Right shall not be
truly. definitely victorious unless VIC
tory keeps her promises.
Referring to Ambassador IierriciS's
speech. whicl, was a reafSrmatlou or the
feeling Of friendship that America has
for "the soldiers OF France who died
defending their country against an un-
provoked INVASION NJ. Barthou de-
cared:
thank you. Mr.. Ambassador. for
having said here, especially here.