The New York herald., 1922-09-07
FOCH SENDS TIDINGS
FOR MARNE DAY HERE
Marshal, in Message to N. Y.
Patriots, Sees Long
Friendship.
RITES FOR LAFAYETTE
Pershing and Count de
Chambrun Decorate
Monument.
MAY TIES UNITE'---JOFFRE
Hero of Battle Prays That
Nations Kinship VIII Re-
main Ever True.
sMAY TIES UNITE'--JOFFRE

Ihe bond OF tfiendSnlp between
France and America was emphasized
in speeches and messages delivered
yesterday at the various exercises in
celebration OF the birthday Of Lafay-
cite and the anniversary of the battle
of the Marine.
Gen. John ]. Pershing. the Count
de Chambrun, a direct descendant of
Lafayette, and representatives of the
allied embassies in Washington gath
cred at the Lafayette statue in Union
Square. After messages of amity had
been read from Marshal Foch and
Marshal Joffre wreath of roses was
placed on the monument.
Later in the day the Sons of the
American Revolution and other patriotic
societies assembled in the churchyard
of st. Paurs Chapel on Broadway to
honor the grave of the French patriot.
Etienne Nicolas Marie Bechet. Sieur de
Rochefontaine, who as Lieut-Col
Stephen Rochefontaine, served on the
stafr OF Washington during the Revolu-
tionary War. Soil from his native city
vi Ays IldutNs aiu wafer lIOIl tIit
neighborng River Marne were sprin-
Sled upon the grave. as speakers eulo-
gized the Soldier OF two countries" who
was described as the first commandant
of West Point.
Tribute to Peace.
DR.. John H. Finley presided at the
Union square meeting and read a let
ter from Myron T. Herrick, American
Ambassador to France, who is spending
his vacation In Cleveland expressing re-
gret at being unable to be present. He
spoke OF the parallel principles Of the
two nations and recalled the gratitude
OF America for the participation Of La
fayette and his country in the early
struggles for liberty.
AS Gen. Pershing stepped forward to
place a floral wreath upon the statue
the Count de Chambrun. who had
delivered to the commander in chief OF
the United States armies the messages
from his allied military leaders In
France. said:
1T is significant that IL was Gen.
Pershing who placed q wreath upon the
tomb of Lafayette as his first official
act upon French soil 1t is as tribute to
peace and friendship between France and
America that he now offers a floral
tribute to the memory OF Lafayette at
Many distinguished officials attended
the ceremonies as well as various per-
sons identified with the movement 20
perpetuate combined celebration of
Lafayette-Marne Day.
Jorre's Message.
The Lafayette Day committee Of ar
rangements comprised G. s. Thompson.
chairman; Lawrence Abbott. A. C. Bed
nr-I % U-,,lxo
inC, Cass Gilbert. Mayor John f. Hylan,
George F. Kunz, Robert C. Morris.
Frank A. Munsey Robert Olyphant. Gen.
John +. Organ. Mortimer l.. Schiff and
j. G. Phelps Stokes.
General Pershing referred to Colonel
de Chambrun, brother of the Marquis
who served upon the American staff
during the war and with whom General
Pershing had close association. HE
was an officer well worthy of his Lafay-
cite heritage" he said. "and more
human and understanding Frenchman /
have never met. I am glad TO be able
TO take simple part in the ceremony
to-day by reading the two messages
from my comrades in arms, Marshal
Joffre and Marshal Foch."
Marshal Joffre: "On the occasion OF
the double anniversary OF the birth OF
Lafayette and Of the battle OF the
Marne / wish to express to all Ameri-
cans my deep and faithful sympathy
May the great name OF the nlustrious
soldier never be forgotten: he estab-
lished on the most solid base the
foundations of the friendship between
france and America. Let us remain
true to his memory by strengthening
more and more every day the ties which
unite our two nations and which have
been made closer by the war fought
by US I'm common"
Earth SprfnkIcd on Grave.
Marshal Foch: September. f757. birth
OF Lafayette, who was to bring later
to America in her struggle for liberty
his generous and devoted cooperation.
Battle OF the Marne-defeat of the most
violent attack ever launched on the
cause OF liberty. While celebra ting this
double anniversary let us take the reso-
luton TO maintain and to develop. in
America as we'll as in France. tho loyal
friendship which has always united tho
two sister republics and which IL 20
necessary to the peace OF the world"
The exercises In St. paul's Chapel
began at noon and consisted of a pro-
cessional. the singing OF anthems. an
address by the Rev. George y. Meyers
-. D., dean OF Trinity Cathedral. Ha-
yana. and the blessing OF the earth and
water. James n. Laux representing the
Mayor or Ay presented the soll ana ira
X. Stewart presented the water from
the Marne. Both were received and
blessed by Rev. J. +. McComas vicar
OF ST. Pauls Chapel
Rrigadier General Oliver b. Bridgman
president OF the New York Chapter OF
the Sons OF the American Revolution.
presided at the grave ceremonies. After
ain address of welcome the earth and
water sprinklcd over the grave by Col
Henry w. Sackett and Col Louis Amin
Ames. DR.. Finely again spoke. The
response was made by CASTOR Liebert,
French Consul General.