New-York tribune., 1921-05-30
L France Rivals
u. s. i'm Honor to
American Dead
Prayers for Khaki Legions
from Overseas Offered
in Every Wayside Shrine
Where Tricolor Waves
Service in Paris Notable
Wallace Hangs Wreath on
Grave of Unknown Poilu;
Doughboys Joim Parade
By Wilbur Forrest
Special Cable TO The Tribune


fAhio' May 29.-France's tribute to
the Americans who lie on the pIains
they fought across three years ago was
paid in every waysido church TODAY
when prayers of Thanksgiving were sent
up for these legions from the west. In
efforts to outdo America in honoring ner
own dead, France began nationwide
ceremonial. Tomorrow by thousands
the French, aiding American societies
here, will decorate every American
grave in the republic, even to the most
remote and smallest cemeteries.
Services in which creeds were lost
were held this morning in every Paris
church. Great banks of flowers were
carried through the streets in a parade
led by the Republican Guard Band, to
the Arc de Triomphe, where wreath
was placed on the tomb of the unknown
poilu who lies there, in the name of
the American Legion and the Veterans
of Foreign Wars.
The main service Of the day in
Trinity Church, in Avenue George V,
was attended by Marshal Foch, Ambas-
sador Wallace, General Allen and many
dignitaries of Allied countries, both
civil and military. The American head
quarters band from Coblenz, grouped to
the left of the choir, played Chopin's
Funeral March and the national an
thems of France, Great Britain and
America, while Representatives of pa
triotic societies of dozen Allied coun-
tries, grouped in the nave, displayed
their multi-colored flags.
Thousands Strew Flowers
Crowds on the curbs watched the
cortege bearing the wreath descend
from the church and march toward the
arch Flowers strewn there by q
thousand hands already had banked
the pillars high in color. Two hundred
doughboys from the Rhine stood out in
that parade. their khaki uniforms con-
trasting with the more brilliant garb
of the French and British contingents
that swung along with them through
the streets. The crowds through which
the memorial pageant cut its way
seemed like the rnyriads who thronged
about that ceremaniAl arch on armis-
tice day to crown it with their tributes.
AS the parade drew near the Allied
military guards Of honor made way,
and through them Ambassador Wallace
passed and placed the wreath on the
tomb. He spoke few words of trib-
ute, and then a silence settled over the
square and the crowds broke up and
Giltered away.
PARIS, May % (By The Associated
?
the unknown soldiers grave q to-day S
Memorial Day exercises Ambassador
Wallace said:
II place this wreath upon tire grave
of the unknown soldier who rests here
as the very type and symbol of heroic
France. He died for France, as France
herself stood ready to die for liberty If
there was no other way. He died for
France, and glory could grant no more.
Who shall call him unknown when
every French mother who lost a son
may claim him as her own?
Brought Peace to World
Gle sleeps in peace, but who did
more to bring peace to France and to
the world? His body lies in the earth
which bore him, but his spirit fingers
near, and, with its fellows, keeps watch
and ward over France. This is not
death, it is life supernal.
Soldier of France! l speak to you,
for you still have ears to hear. We
praise you but we can do you little
honor, for you are above and beyond
all earthly tribute. Your resting place,
hallowed tomb for you, is for US a
shrine. Here your countrymen may
come as to an altar to pray for France.
Here they may imbibe patriotism from
q never-failing source.
,1-.I = sot1 - Enk
tie was the spirit of France. The cour-
age and devotion which led you on to
the supreme sacrifice OF your life for
home and country are at once pre-
cious memory and an example to be
followed by all who come after you.
France will not perish while that mem
ory lasts.
Children of France Her Strength
1--WE pray that wars may cease, but
that is as God wills. When France is
threatened she will protect her own.
The world knows what it owes her,
and her allies will be faithful, but her
chief defense is in her children. In
spired by you they will do as you did.
As they march to the battle the eye of
faith will see above, and marching with
them, that other legion-the souls of
the Frenchmen who have died that
France may live"
The principal ceremony tomorrow
will be in Suresnes Cemetery, short
distance outside Paris, where Ambassa-
dor Wallace and Marshal Petain will
deliver orations.
No public program has been, ar
ranged for the Romagne Cemetery,
owing, to the fact that the bodies OF
the American soldier dead are being
disinterred there for removal to the
United States.
The fact that large numbers of Amer
leans and Frenchmen are desirous OF
paying tribute to the American dead
led to many persons leaving Paris to-
day in the fear OF meeting with con-
eestion on the railways tomorrow on
Journeys to the Belleau Wood, Chateau
Thierry, Bony, Ploisey and other places
where important ceremonies are to be
held.
Memorial Day also is to be observed
in numerous places where American
troops were billeted during the war.
Albert and BRAND Send
Messages to america
yas.. l.