The spectator., 1921-07-19
Incident of Forty Years Ago.

Once the Frenchmen aud the Ger mans came to Virginia shores in their great ships and there was trouble. It was at Yorktown forty years ago next October that the Frenchmen and Germans Qslarreled first with the Amer ican authorities and then with each other. It was the Americans fault, probably, in the first instance, but they committed the otfense unwilling ly and made amends when they could. The trouble was that in making amends they patched up the German pride while wounding that of the French still more sorely.
 The Germans were invited to take a hand in the celebration of the centen- nlal of the surrender of Cornwalls because of the part Baron Steuben bore in the struggle of the Americans for their liberties. There were no Germans, so far as is known, at the battle of Yorktown, where the French bore a heroic part in the fight; nev- ertheless, at the instance of Horatio Seymour of New York, the German nation was given principal share in the commemoration exercises in the village and harbor of Yorktown If Horatio Seymour were living today he probably would be sorry that he interfered in behalf of the Germans at that celebration.
 Here and there in Yorktown arc substantial old dwelling of the colo nial period. They will outast many buildings of later day for they were founded on the rock of honest construction. One old place has tow erinS chimneys that, with the rest of the house, have time-weary look. but dissolution is not in sight because the builders builded well. This is the Thomas Nelson house, and for time Cornwallis made it his headquarters, a fact which came to the Knowledge of the owner, who was with Washing ton in the ranks of the besiegers.
 Col. Nelson SheIled His Own House.
 Colonel Nelson went to the con- mnnder in chief and told him that the British general was in his house, and that if the guns could be brought to bear with the residence us a mark CornwalliS might be crushed under the falling walls if there was good heavy gun markSman in the American army. They tell you today in Yorktown that Colonel Nelson told his chief that he would sacrifice fifty homesteads if he owned them to put Cornwalls on the hospital list.
 The American gunners fired away at the walls of the Nelson house and hit them three or four times. Corn wallis was there, but it did not take him long to learn the drift of the shooting, and he took refuge in il cave under parapet of brick work and sand, and there he lay safely. Knowledge of the change of headquar- ters came 10 Washington and the mouths of the old smooth-bore cannon were turned away from the Nelson residence, which today bears the marks of the firing.
 VI.
 Constant inquiries are coming to Washington, addressed generally To members of congress, concerning the real purpose of the George Washing ton memorial building. also to be known as the Victory Memorial building, which is to be erected here at cost of several millions of dol lars.
 Representative Julius Kahn, chair man of the house committee on mil itary affairs, has seen fit to set forth the intent of congress in the matter of the memorial building. He says the intent is that the auditorium in the building shall be available for such conventions as are civic, scien- titic, educational, patriotic. and na- tional or international in character.
 It is now believed that the corner stone for the great building will be laid on Armistice day, November II. and that Marshal Foch of the French armies will be present in this city to take part in the ceremonies. It is also probable that Admiral Beatty of the British navy will be present. The general and the admiral have been invited by the municipal officials of Kansas City, Mo-, to be present at the convention of the members of the American Legion which will he held there the last week in October of this year. General Foch tentatively has accepted the invitation and General Beatty's acceptance is expected
 Much has been written about the Victory Memorial building. It is pos. sible today to write something more definite concerning it because the half million dollars necessary to start the project on its way already has been 
 Gold and Blue Stars in the Ceiling.
 Since last writing about the great new plans have developed It will be possible for any individual or any organization, by subscribing certain amount of money. to spcure