Evening star., 1922-05-30
FLAG GIFT
AcCEPTEDFORu.S.
President Receives From
Jusserand Banner That
Figured in War.

As souvenir of this country's par
tic!pation in the world war President
Harding today accepted for his coun-
trymen the presentation by Ambas-
sador Jusserand of France of the
American flag which was displayed
beside the, French tricolor on the
Eiffel Tower, with a salute of l0l
guns, when news came OF Americas
entry into the struggle.
The historic flag, also later dis
played at the celebration of the
Marine victories at the Troccadero
Palace. in Paris in September. 1913,
was presented by the ambassador on
behalf of the Union of Large French
Associations for National Growth. 1t
was first displayed at celebration
of Americas entry into the war held
by that organization on April 20,
1917, the same day upon which 1T was
unfurled from the Eiffel Tower. The
flag will be preserved in the National
Museum here.
Souvenir of War.
GAS a souvenir of what was done
| in those fhomentous years" Ambas-
sador Jusserand said in his address
Of presentation, this flag will be
tfon and will continue fresh in the
hearts of every freedom-loving in
habitant of the earth.'
The ceremony, held in the east
room of the White House, was at
tended by the Secretary of War, Gen.
Pershing and high officials Of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
Recounting in his address that the
first salute given the American nag
in European waters was that accord
from John Paul Jones' ship. the
Ranger. by French fleet at Qui-
beron. NJ. Jusserand declared the "un-
known" flag Of that day was now re-
spected all over the world"
Gratitude of French.
"F4ve years ago." he said. when
the fight was again for liberty and
to throw their mighty sword on the
scale thrill of enthusiasm and graft
tude went through the heart of every
F'renchman and Frenchwoman from
the farthest trenches to the remotest
mountain Hamlet: Richer In stars
than that of Paul Jones'. but repre-
senting the same impulse, the flag of
America was hoisted. when the news
came, at the top Of the Eiffel Tower.
side by side with the tricolor OF
France, devised for US by Lafayette
during our own revolution, and was
saluted with 101 guns.
This same flag. displayed also on
other great occasions relating to the
common effort and the common VIC
tory. was brought to this country by
Marshal Foch, with the papers testi-
flying to it's authenticity. I count 1t
as one of the greatest honors that
could befall me to have the privilege
of presenting 1t to the justly admired
chief of the nation which, at a most
perilous hour. came to the rescue, and
to do so on this day of commemora-
ton.
All things. we know, come to an
| end; such will be the fate OF the
| friendship between France and Amer
| ica-the day when the stars shall fall
| from the sky or from the flag Of the
United States"
Upon receiving the relic from the
French ambassador, President Hard
| ing said:
"Mr. Ambassador: 1t is very great
colors which have been SO disting-
uished. 1 am not little impressed
by what you have just said. 1t is
rather curious coincidence. l STOOD
yesterday before all that is mortal of
John Paul Jones, who gave express
sion to American independence at
the same time that France gave rec
ognition to the flag.
Flags are measured only by what
they represent. Probably 1t adds lit
stars and stripes and their wonder
full coloring to have been saluted with
the love and affection and reverence
of your republic, but it does add much
to that for which the flag stands.
1t means q new tie. a new bond of
affection between your republic and
ours. 1t means a renewed commit
ment of liberty-loving France and
liberty-loving America to the liberty
to which we have jointly and sever
ally contributed.
New Assurance OF Amity.
'1t means a new assurance that the
cordial affection and reverent respect
of the one republic for the other,
which each feels for the other. and
which will endure, as you have sug-
gested. for all time to come. 1t is
very pleasing thing to have this
signal banner returned after having
received these exceptional honors. 1t
will be placed in the treasure house
OF America among its most valued
souvenirs. where it will be preserved
as one of the richest heirlooms Of the
war"