Evening star., 1922-12-18

tingent Of the A. L. F. arrived in
France, an orator startled the peoples
of both countries with dramatic
exclamation: Lafayette, We are
here" 1t has been generally ac-
cepted in many parts that our coming
into the war was in defense OF France
in return for Lafayette's romantic res
cue Of the thirteen American colonies
from the tyranny Of England. and that
our debt to France had been drawing
compound interest ever since the revo-
luton.
The historical fact is. however. that
we owed no such debt Of gratitude 10
France Lafayette never came with
any important reinforcements. Ihe
question so often asked concernlnG
the recent world war, 'SWho won the
war;" could never have been an
swered in reference to the American
revolution. except by saying that the
English wings won it for America. in
spite of the Vaccinations Of the French
government, which plotted most
Indignantly to steal from America
the fruits of victory and to nam
string the young republic lest 1t grow
too strong.
What is all this hero worship Of
Lafayette? Who was he and what
did he accomplish He was nine
teen year-old nobleman. holding a
commission OF the grade Of captain.
stationed at Metz. when an "Xifed
brother of George Ill of England
stopped there and. at dinner gwen
in his honor. made speech de-
nouncing his royal brother on the
throne of England. and telling how
the king had gone TO war with ms
colonies in America.
The fedgling French captain was
fired by the eloquent hate of the
visiting English prince and forthwith:
seeing a chance to distinguish himself
in America. he went 10 The secret
agent OF the American colonies In
Paris and proffered his valiant sword
upon condition that he he at once
given the grade of major general
The noble rank of the boy induced
the American agent to promise the
grade of major general, and when the
Americans could not furnish even
venturer Lafayette. being wealthy by
inheritan nee. bought small ship and
secretly began fitting out buccaneer
expedition.
Louis XVI was at peace with George
III, hence the Lafayette expedition
rest and the dentention of his ship
was issued The ship evaded the Of
ticers and got into Spanish waters:
the young filibuster escaped from his
captors. and at last the expedition got
away. with Capt. Lafayette and
handful of his followers II was not
command for a major general: it
was a corporals guard. less the lit
tie corporal"
When the boy arrived in Philadel-
phia and claimed the commission of
major general Congress was aghast.
There were American soldiers far
more competent and deserving of the
grade than he. but the congressman
We're daZzled by his noble blood, and
in course of time. seeing that sew
eral of the adventurers who had
come over with him. expecting the i'm
possible chance of rank and fortune.
were returning TO France in disgust.
thought it policy to hold this noble
scion by giving him the empty rank
of major general without assigning
him to any command. So he was at
WashiEgton's headquarters for sew
eral months. major general with
out a command.
Later. fretting because he was
given no responsibilities by Gen.
did not take him seriously. Lafayette
went to Congress. directly violating
military regulations by going outside
of military channels on military mat
ters. There he again so daZzled the
statesmen that Congress. without the
knowledge of the commanding gem
eral. agreed to organize a new inva-
sion of Canada and give Maj. Gen.
Lafayette Il full division and the
command of the expedition He was
not to be under Gen. Washington.
The Canadian invasion died a.
bornin'" and Maj. Gen. Lafayette was
ordered back to Washington's army.
Later. with more discipline and ex-
perience, he developed into a brave
and competent soldier and gave indi-
vidual service to America.
What was the policy of the French
government? Did Louis XVI hope
for success of republic? Did France
aid the colonies? No. not until the
surrender of Burgoyne's army of
5000 to the victorious Gen. Benedict
Arnold-later the traitor-and the
agitation Of the wings in England
for peace and independence of the
colonies. 1t became so certain that,
let alone. the colonies were about to
win the war that then-anS not un-