Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-03
FRENCHMEN IN TEARS
AT PERSH|NC'S TRIBUTE
General Makes Most Impressive
Address at Tomb of Un-
known PoiIus.

Paris. Oct. 3.-The United State:
yesterday paid its highest tribute to tn,
dead soldiers of France when Gen
John j. Pershing. in the presence of al
Immense sthrong, including President
Milierand and other high officials ol
the republic, laid the Congressional
Medal OF Honor upon the tomb of the
unknown poilu under the Arch of Tri.
umph. The ceremony was the most i'm.
pressive expression of Franco-Ameri-
can unity since the United States de-
olared war on Germany in April, 1917
y military review, second in size
only to the historic victory parade. fol-
lowed the ceremony. a picked battalion
of American troops, representative OF
all units comprising the American
forces on the Rhine, led the parade
which was reviewed by President
Millerand. General Pershing, Ambas-
sador Herrick and all the marshals OF
France. The presence of a large body
of American troops in Paris for the
first time since 1919 caused an out
burst of enthusiasm from the thou
sands OF Parisians who lined the Ave
nue. des Champ Elysees and the Place
d Etoile. where the arch is located.
Before placing the decoration on the
unknown soldiers tomb. General
Pershing stood before it at salute for
several minutes. Then, in voice
shaking with emotion, he declared:
In the name of the President and
OF the people of the United States. as
a token Of our perpetual belief in the
righteousness of the cause for which
lfA1 qrI "a ,.ts nF -
and admiration to you and to your
countrymen, l place this Congression-
al Medal of Honor upon your tomb
The American headquarters band
from Coblenz then played the Mar
seillaise" and the Spangled Ban
ner."
General Pershing's speech made a
profound impression upon the assem-
Mage brought tears to many eyes.
Referring TO the unknown as "sol-
der Of France, dear friend and my
comrade," the general said:
Il salute, In your noble life and
I'm your tragic death you have be-
come 10 the world an immortal SYM
bol OF devotion TO the highest ideals
of mankind. Your valor on many
fields will ever remain an inspiration
90 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
Ter 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
the last drop of your lifes blood for
liberty and in the glorious sacrifice
OF your youth was born the hope of
those YOU left behind. In your heart
there Is malice toward none, but char
ity for all. 1t is this spirit, and this
alone, which viii establish confidence
among nations.
You fought against the calamity
or war, but your work will not be
completed until the burdens which the
preparations for war imposes are lifted
from the shoulders of all peoples. You
gave your all for peace. but vour. gift
viii be barren unless a generous spirit
81 unseliish cooperation arises TO take
the place Of hatred. Unknown soldier.
10 you OF whom thousands of mothers
ask. Is it my son? to your tomb.
which is for France the altar of the
country. ] bring the love and affec-
ton Of the American soldiers who
Fought beside you and the valiant SOL
ciers OF France