Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-10-31
Places Wreath on Washing
toms Tomb in Name
of France
CALLS ON PRESIDENT
Spends Day in Official Visiting. Is
Cheered by large Crowds In Wash
ingtO.

Marshal Foch late Saturday
peered through the portals Of the
past at Mount Vernon and what
he saw there made him love and
honor more than ever the memory
of Washington.
THE simplicity and straightfor-
wardness Of the man, Washington" )"
touched him. He told his company,
after placing reverently upon
Washington's tomb 4 rose wreath
tricolor entwined-that he had
gained in a few minutes new
concept of the Father of his coun-
try.
His visit to the tomb came at
the close of day of hectic well
come, welcome tuoched with true
hospitality, and marked with APP
plause, cheers and the frequent
shouts of 'V'ive la France" Stand
ing out on the broad lawns before
the colonial mansion, Foch the war
rior, gazed down upon the lakelike
peacefulness of the Potomac, and
commented:
From behind, Mount Vernon
might be any one OF a thousand
farms. But here, as ! gaze down
the river with its wonderful set
ting of gold and red autumn foliage,
| have the sense Of peace. It is a
tranquil, lovely place to spend ones
last days"
With the sentimentality of the
true Frcnchman. Foch was stirred
almost to tears as he saw evidences
of Frances support to this repub-
lie. during the Revolution.
He had seen the relics of the
great chieftain. the letters Of La
favette. the bust Of Washington
done in the Iatter's lifetime, had
viewed the key to the French Bas-
tile, had marvelled at the plain
ness and strict simplicity Of the old
house on the hill, and then COM
mcnted:
Il have a new idea OF the great
Washington. His simplicity and
straightforwardncss are reflected
in his home. Why, the old fire
place there might be the simple
hearth of a cottage in my home
land. Brittany. All. | can love him
the more after seeing here at first
hand the simplicity and reaIness
of the man."
From the mansion, Foch escorted
by an admiring group of visitors,
went to the tomb of Washington.
Here too, was simplicity, and 1t
deepened further the marShaI's I'M
pressionS.
An aged negro, bowed Of back
and sombrc of countenance, respect
fully took the marshal's cap az
Foch entered the ironbarred gate,
and, without word, placed MS
wreath upon the tomb. There was
no specchmaking; a few words
passed between Foch and his Amer
lean aid, Gen. Connor, but toch,
pursuing the French cult OF the
dead. showed his respect and rcve-
renee with his poise rather than
with words. His wreath was IN
scribed: ITO the memory of George
Washington"
This ceremony completed, foch
saw the rest Of the estate and mar
yelled at things Of the eighteenth
century preserved there.
From Mount Vernon he returned
to his hotel quarters, fatigued by
the strenousness of Washington
welcome and rested until s o'clock
when he went to the French En-
bassy as guest of honor at dinner
given by Ambassador Jusserand
Tomorrow he journeys to Kansas
City for the American Legion con-
vention.
Marshal Foch, earlier in the day,
was received by President Harding,
paid official visits to government
officials, and called upon former
President Wilson. The former Pres
ident could not see the distinguish
ed visitor, however, because Of i'll
ness.