The New York herald., 1922-06-05
INSISTS CLAIMS JUST
Military Force Needed to
Safeguard the Nation,
Premier Says.
AsKs{FoR JUSTICE HERE
Crowds Cheer When Ambassa-
dor Herrick Makes Presenta-
tion to Historic City.

IIOn TO H1SuOr1C C1uy.
! VERpUN. June (Associated Press) -
In the name Of the American Con-
gress and the American people, Myron
| T. Herrick, the American Ambassador
o-day presented to the city of Verdun
the first and only medal ever given by
TIE United States Government to any
community in the world
The Ambassador and Premier Poin-
care together visited the ground where
are buried many thousands of French
whose valor the medal comnemorates,
and both spoke under the emotion
aroused by the thought Of the dead
and the sight Of the red zone." so
devastated that it may never be fit for
human habitation.
Mr.. Herrick assured France of the
deep friendship of the United States,
which though it might not prevent
disagreements and Misunderstanding
would dissipate and survive them.
/ "verdun and valor are forever one
and inseparable," said the Ambassa-
dor. Here blazed the spirit of France
And so this medal. which I
give to this illustrious city. kallowed
by the sacrifices and courage of all
/ France. is a tribute from the whole
United States to all of France"
Cheered by Verdun Crowds.
/ Both the French Premier and Ameri-
can Ambassador were greeted with en-
dun station at noon
In his speech accepting the medal
Premier Poincare called attention to the
fact that he Is resident of verdun, and
added:
Never have the President and the
Congress of the United States of Amer
lea conferred such an honor on any
other city, and of all the decorations
received by verdun none will ever con-
stitute more honored feature of her
armorial bearings than the medal you
have just presented to her.
Il 'If America has seen fit to honor
A verdun it is because the battle and vic-
tory at verdun were a battle and VIC
tory OF right and freedom. The deeds
Of valor around this inviolate citadel
were inspired neither by thought of sg-
gression nor lust for conquest; we
fought for our independence. our threat
encd homes.
/ Defends Armament Policy.
'Tt was to defend the same ideal
that the American legions crossed the
Atlantic and shed their blood on our
devastated fields. Many times 1 have
stood at salute by the graves of these
brave boys of the United States who
are sleeping their last sleep in the
Romagne cemetery, close by. and need
hardly tell you how anxiously watched
their arduous advance in 191S-with
what joy 1 saw them drive the invaders
from Montfaucon. to which for four
years they had clung so stubbornly.
The R-emier then referred to the ties
which so long bound the two nations to-
gether. Divergencies of opinion were In
evitable, but they were not incompatible
with the continued existence OF loyal un-
derstanding he said.
1T is desirable when Emergencies oc-
cur" he added, "that public opinion In
the countries concerned does not grow
restive but retains it's composure and
patience not allowing it to be supposed
that a fieeting difference could shake an
,nshakable friendship.
TT has been attempted since peace
was signed to foist upon America a
legend, which the common sense of your
great people rejects more and more every
day. of a militaristic France, an i'm
perialistic France. Such is the slogan OF
her revilers. am quite aware that
mere denial from the French Govern
ment would not avail to put an end to
this despicable campaign The honest
people whose judgment is disconnected
by II require something more than de-
malls to be undeceived.
But we are entitled to request them
before they condemn us to imagine them
selves in The position OF France-to re-
call the dangers to which we have been
exposed and remember the sufferings
we have endured. Then they will see
why we are determined never to be sub
jected again to the same trials. Let
| them reflect that Just compensation
promised us has not been paid, and they
will grasp the reason why we are main
taining the possibility OF using force to
uphold our just claims.
Not Making Unfair Demands.
i "Assuredly. we are not keeping up
armies for the vain purpose OF enjoying
spectacular displays or TO strive after
barren glory. 1t Is no pleasure for us
to divert the youth of our country for
many months from productive labor u
Is no pleasure for US to lay upon our
countrymen the burden OF military
charges still less pleasure do we derive
from the prospects OF fightfng. for we
| know too we'll the cost of battle. even
for the conoueror.
'Tt would be a different matter ir
we used, or appeared desirous of using.
force TO support unfair, unreasonable
claims, oppress nations. extend our ter
ritory and reject all peaceful settle
ments. Then the other nations would
be entitled TO Judge France severely.
'1s there the smallest indication we
have ever cherished such designs 2
Haven't we shown extraordinary mod
GRAFTON with regard to Germany?
Haven't we paid, instead OF her. eighty
billion francs in those unfortunate re-
gions devastated by her and which we
have up to the present been obliged 10
reconstruct at our own expense?
France. ! am thankful to say, re-
poses too complete trust in her for
mer comrades in arms to have any
fear OF being disapproved- or disavowed
! by them. She secs, at any rate. I'm to-
/. ae,.s. ,n,,a -, oy,,oro tfo, rrQat ua1,,a IL