The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-07
HONOR LAFAYETTE IN CEREMONIES AT WASHINGTON TOMB
Tribute Paid French Hero By Two Nations on His and Marne Bat
 tie Anniversary
By yAssociated Press

Stl AlIkS were SIlTTeu anew lOudy when men of the two nations gathered at the tomb of George Washington to celebrate the joint anniversary of the birth of Lafayette and the beginning of the first battle of the Marne. The ceremonies were under auspices of the Lafayette Day national commit tee. with James M Beck. Solicitor General of the United States, presid- ing, and messages of friendship were read from Presidents Harding and Mil lerand, Marshal Joffre. victor of the Marne, Marshal Foch, General Per- shing, Premier Briand and Secretaries Hughes and Denby.
 The presence of the marine band and of French, American, British and other army and navy officers in uni form lent an official air to the cele- bration, The journey from Wash ington was made by steamer, and as the procession wound up over the quiet lawn to the tomb, the lilies of France and the French tricolor car ried by an American bluejacket and n khaki-clad soldier headed the col umn flanked by American colors in the hands of French and American marines. At the tomb wreath was placed in the vault with simple cere- mony, and the party trooped up to the wide veranda to tell again of the Frenchman born l64 years ago today with the call of human liberty stir ring with his first pulse and of the great day seven years ago when Jof- fire let loose the valor of France and England to stem the tide of German advance and draw a new frontier of liberty at the Marne.
 FirtinE Place for Celebration
 No more fitting place for celebra- ton of such an intertwining Of mem his address, than Mount Vernon, where still hovers the spirit of Washington. In the days of the dis armament conference to come, he added, there was no limit to what could be accomplished toward world peace if the spirit that moved the great American was with the confer ees in Washington.
 Greetings from American officials were read by Maurice Leon of New York, while those from France were presented by Price De Bearn. French charge. The main address was deliv- cred by John H. Finley, president of the New York university.
 This will forever be LaFayette's Day" he said. Tt has been pur- chased for him by what he did for America and his own land, France. But it had a celebration in 1914 which will ever associate with his birthday the first significant triumph of the World war.
 What France did for America in the person of his youth, France now has done for the world in her abid- ing spirit of youth"
 President Harding, who was unabl e to be present, sent message declar- ing that Americas Indebtedness to the French soldier was eternal. Sim liar messages were sent by Secretary of State Hughes and Myron T. Her rick American ambassador to France.
 
 Heiped Win Revolution
 ITO General Lafayette in no small measure the success of the revolution was due. With no sordid motives, but inflamed with ardent sympathy and q passionate desire to help them. he lespoused the cause of the strug- gling colonies and hastened to tneif support. lie sought no selfish end and asked no pay but found his re- ward in the thanks of Congress and the undying affection of generations of American citizens whose gratitude has been and always will be suitably shown on all appropriate occasions. Not cnly did he render brilliant per sonal military service, but through his instrumentality much needed fi- nancial assistance and endorsements of troops were obtained for the Our indebtedness to him is eternal"
 Secretary Hughes said:
 q deem 1t most fitting that there should be associated with this cele- bration that observance of the ami versary of the first battle of the Marne. for through that battle, turn ing seemingly irretrevable defeat into a magnificent victory, the pres ervat ton of those great principles of human liberty rights which LaFay- cite cherished, was ultimately as sured TX
 Tt is further gratifying tha, in this celebration that the friendship and good will which we entertain for France will be appropriately empha- sized. The relations between the two countries are built on solid of service and of mutuai in the cause of free in- 
 Am bassador Herricll cabled
 La Fayette and the Marne are names inscribed forever on our ban ner. on the banne of France and on the hearts of our citizens and hers.
 stood By France
 We rejoice that We stood beside France for liberty at the vsecond Marne and gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to LaFayette and to France; our ally in the war for our independence, and the defender of liberty in the dark days of 1914.
 ''Ase one to whom it was given to be within sound of the firing at the first Marne ap6 to witness Americans battling for the common cause of on the same hallowed ground four years later. feel assurance that these two sisters in freedom whose hands stretch out to each other across the Atlantic will continue in the future as in the past to find ways to safeguard the liberties com mon to them both. and In contempla- ting the splendid strides which France Is making in rising from the ruins of invasion, I find the certainty that her virile and courageous people will continue to be worthy champions of that great cause"
 CInLu sAVEG rnENcH T0yyN