New-York tribune., 1922-06-05
Don't Misjudge
Us, Poincare's
Appeal to L. S.
fcontinuso from psss one

NNohtH"'" w" bas" WV
fair or unreasonable claims. depressing
other nations with dreams Of extending
our territory. and rejecting all peace
FOL settlements Then people would be
entitled 10 judge us severely"
Poncare contended that France had
shown extraordinary moderation TO
ward Germany, even paying, instead Of
Germany. 10000, 100000 francs for
the reconstruction Of the devastated
regions.
The entire population Of Nerdun and
nearby towns along the Meuse attended
the imposing round Of ceremonies
After the speeches and presentation Of
the medal. the first ever 70 be given 10
city, Ambassador Herrick, accom-
panied by Colonel Bentley Mott mill
tsry Attache Of the American En-
bsssy: his son, Parmelee and his sec
rotary. Lawrence Norton. departed this
evening for Paris Premier Poinchre
took the train for Metz, where he
speaks again tomorrow.
Tribute from Entire United States
Ambassador Herrick. in his speech
OF presentation, said. in part:
This medal which ] give 60 this
illustrious city. hallownd by the sacri-
fee and courage Of ell Of France. is 3
tribute from the whole United States
TO all Of France.
"1f the United states had seen this
esme French sacrifice and courage de-
voted 70 selfish. unworthy cause. this
tribute would not be offered today. u
Is because the horrors Of this fight and
the glory OF this victory OF Nerdun
meant safety aud liberty fOr France;
" Is because France fought here, not
as an aggressor but as the champion
Of peace and righteousness that we oi
the United States feel and take JOY IN
expressing our unstinted admiration.
Great as the military victory Of
France was here. ~ is nevertheless the
moral superiority Of France which
turns the balance In the scale. as our
minds weigh Verdun. This is not true
OF Verdun alone. The moral superior
ity % France over Germany sustained
and gave character 20 her whole mill
tary effort, and even more than hel
military efficiency gained and held
from he beginning 20 the end the sd'
miration Of the world.
MAY the German nation come some
time 20 full realization OF this. which
20 US seems automatic. Nav the Frencr
nation maintain in peace that same
high moral plane, in spite OF the dis-
illusion which peace has. until now
brought. L is a difficult problem foi
all OF US. but 70 this end ! venture 70
suggest definite effort on the par
Of each 70 understand the others poin'
Of view on the part Of the Gernsn'
An effort TO realize the sincerity OF oui
conviction Of the righteousness or tn'
cause for which we fought. and the un'
Righteousness Of theirs; on our owr
part an effort TO realize. in Christian
fashion, that large part Of the Ger
man people knew not what they do
Emblem Of Comradeship
Though this medal commemorate
Verdun, / interpret its purpose more
broadly. II cannot fail 70 bring 20 al
our minds the thought Of the two years
and more Of fighting which were nee.
essary before the final victory Of oul
eomrsdship in arms with you durinf
those later, anxious years. eomrade
snip SnAFtQ WIN OlHfl 10 ~ iNf
gotten. though to-day dwell upon IN
special comradesbip OF France and th'
United States.
"Not far awsy an army OF our dea'
sleeps. al Romagnes, almost under th'
crest OF Montfaueon--ths Montfaueof
which for nearly four years was
German citadel, not 20 be oonoueret
,ill the American army swept through
the Argonne. They. like your own sol
diers. offered their lives IN no spirit OF
aggression. but for safety and liberty
and peace for France and for the world
Close 10 Verdun. where the French sol
dicr had proved the valor Of France
those men proved that they and then
country were not unworthy comrades
OF French soldiers and Of France
This comrsdeship between our two
countries. sealed in the blood Of oul
brsvest and best, is no unsubstantisi
ephemeral relationship. II will not
evaporate in the heat OF the first cAsual
disagreement.
Disagreement Not Quarrel
"But. At this time, when-in the
newspapers at lesst-hystefia or sen
sationaiism magnifes every difference
of opinion into quarrel, when so-eallec
incidents and crises follow each other
in swift succession, when ententes are
threatened daily and hourly. ] insist
upon the importance OF remembering
that friendship does not neeessariiy
mean acreer-snt. Neither the United
on1s ~ taolee - go 49, =