Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-05
u. 5. GIVES MEDAL
TO CITY Of vERDUN
First Ever Presented by Amer
ican Government to Any
Community in World
SACRED MEMORIES OF WAR
BY the Associated Press

people. Myron Il. Herrick. the Ameri.
can Ambassador. Yesterday presented to
the City Of Nerdun the first and only
medal ever given by the United States
Government to any community In the
world
The Ambas ssador and Premier Poin-
care together visited the ground where
are buried many thousands OF French
whose valor the medal communicates,
and both spoke under the emotion
aroused by the thought OF the dead and
the sight Of the red zone. SO {levaSr
tated that it may never BE- At for lhlman
habitation.
Mr.. Herrick assured France Of the
deep friendship Of the United States,
which though il might not prevent dis.
agreements and MISUNDERSTANDING,
would dissipate and survive them.
'Nerdun and valor are forever one
and !nseparable. said the Ambassador.
Here blazed the spirit Of France.
And so this medal. which !
give TO this illustrious city. hallowed
by the sacrifices and courage OF all
France. is a tribute from the whole
United States TO all Of France,
Poincare Accepts Medal
Premier Poincare. accepting the medal
in behalf of the French Government,
made an impassoned speech. in which
he spoke Of what had been done by the
American soldiers to help gain the vic.
tory. and defended Frances position on
the reparations and army issues.
Kindly permit the French Prime
Minister TO recall the fact that he IL a
citizen Of Nerdun and to say that moth
ing could make me feel prouder Of that
title than the distinction bestowed upon
this world famed stronghold of 1.or-
raine today" he declared. Never have
the President and the Congress Of the
United States of America conferred
such an honor on any other city. and OF
all the decorations received by Nerdun
none will ever constitute a more honored
feature Of her nrmorial bearings than
the medal you have just presented to
her.
THE tribute Of admiration you bring
from one hundred million human beings
is paid to the unflinching bravery of
France as whole. 1t was the whole Of
France that defended NerdN.
Battled for Right and Freedom
We'll we know. moreover. that the
United States would never have be :
slowed such striking proof of its regard
and gratitude upon France had our
countrymen' courage and self devotion
been displayed in a selfish ignobe quar-.
rel. If America has seen fit to honor
Nerdun it is because the battle and
victory at Eerdun were battle and
victory of right and freedom. Ii was
TO defend the same ideal that the Amer
lean lsgionS crossed the Atlantic and
shed their blood on our devastated
fields.
Never shall I forget the morrow Of
victory at st. Mihel. when | spent
/ two hours with General Pershing in my
own village. upon which shells had just
ceased to drop. A number Of pitiful
women were arriving from the com.
munes to the north. seeking shelter.
They begged me to present them to the
gallant soldier. calling him their savior.
such memories abide. Mr. Ambassa. /.
dor: nothing can oblitorate them
The Premier then referred 10 the ties
! together. Divergences OF opinion were
inevitable. bur they were not incom
patible with the continued existence OF
loyal understanding
"It Is desirable when Emergencies
occur he added. that public opinion
in the countries concerned does not
grow rostive. bur retains its composure
and patience. not allowing il to be sup
posed that a hceting difference coult
shake an unshakable friendship.
Denies Milltaristic Designs
"It has been attempted since peace
was signed 10 foist upon America q
Legend which the common sense or your
great people rejects more and more
every day. Of a miltaristic France. ar
al IL, ErDnpa Snrb L. tho S1ppo y
Of her revilers. am quite aware tina,
mere denial from the French Govern
mcnt would not avail to put an end tt
this despirable campaign. The honest
ppople whose judgment is disconnected
by il require something more than de
malls to be undeCeived.
But we are entitled 10 request then
before they condemn US TO imagine
themselves in the position Of France
10 recall the dangers 10 which we hav.
been exposed and remember tho suffer
ings We have endured. Then they vii
see why we are determined never tC
b" subjected again 10 the same trials
Let them reflect that just compensation
promised US has not been paid. ant
they will grasp the reason why we ar.
maintaining the possibility OF usins
force to uphold our just claims.
Would Spare France From War
"Assurcdly. We are nor keeping VI
armies for the vain purpose of enjoy
ing spectacular displays or to striv,
after barren glory. II is no pleasur,
for us to divert the youth Of our coun
try for many months from productiv,
labor. II is no pleasure for US 10 lsy
upon our c0untrym"n the burden o
military charges. Still lees pleasur,
in lnriya fpfrn Ia