The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-05
FIRST AMERICAN MEDAL PRESENTED
 INSTRUMENTATION
Ambassador Herrick Presents U. S. Medal, Which Is Re- ceived by Polncaire-Cer-
 emony Impressive
nrAasooIatefi Presa

Verdun, June An the nane of the American Conrgess and the American people, Milton T. Herrtck, the ambassador, today presented to the City of Verdun the first and only medal ever given by the United States government to any community in the world.
 The ambassador and Premier Poin- cairo together visited the ground where there are buried thousands of French whose valor the medal com memorates, and both spoke under the emotion aroused by the thought of the dead and the sight of the fred zone" so devastated that 1t may never be fit for human habttation.
 Herrick Pays Tribute
 Mir. Herrick assured France of tho deep friendship of the United States. which though 1t might not prevent disagreements and misunderstand- ings, would dissipate and survive them.
 ..verdun and valor arc forever one and inseparable," said the ambassa- dor Here blazed tho spirit of France. And this medal. which I give to this ilmstrious city, hallowed by the sacrifices and courage of the French, is a tribute from tho whole United States to all of France"
 M. Poincaire recalled the thrill at the coming of Americans. the joy of their victories, the sorrow over their dead. and expressed In glowing terms the gratitude of France to American.
 Premier Poincairs accepted the medal in behalf of the French gov ernment. making an impassioned speech in which he spoke of what had been done by the American sol- diers to help gain the victory. and defended Frances position. repara- tions and army issues.
 verdun Noble Victory
 s<wefl, we know" he said. "that the United States would never have be- slowed such striking proof of their regard and gratitude upon France had our countrymen's courage and self-devotion been displayed in a self fish, ignoble quarrel. If America has seen fit to honor Verdun 1t Is because the battle and victory at Verdun were n battle and victory of right and freedom. The deeds of vafor around this inviolate citadel were inspired neither by thought of aggression nor lust for conquest; we fought for our independence, our threatened homes.
 Tt was to defend the same ideal that the American legions crossed the Atlantic and shed their blood on our devastated fields. Many times I have stood at salute by tho graves of these brave boys of the United States who are, sleeping their last sleep in the Romagne cemetery, close by. and I need hardly tell you how anxiously we awaited their coming to drive the invaders from our soil to which for years they had cluns so stubbornly.
 Reviews Strife
 "Tt was the second time within a few short weeks that your troops contributed to the deliverance of my native province. Never shall I for get the morrow of victory at St. Mihiel, when I spent two hours with General Pershing in my own village, upon which shells had just ceased to drop. A number of pitiful women were arriving from the communes to the north. seeking shelter. They begged me to present them to the gallant soldier, calling him their savior"
 The premier then referred to the ties which so long bound the two opinion were inevitable but they were not incompatible with the con tinued existence of loyal under standing. 1t has been attempted since peace was signed, he said, ito foist upon America a legend which the common sense of your great peo-