Evening star., 1923-07-22
DEDICATION TODAY
! AT BELLEAU WOOD
Ground Defended in World
War to Be Memorial to
American Dead.

Hallowed with the blood and men,
ories of those American soldiers who
met the first rush of the German
offensive against United States troops
in the world war, Belleau Wood bat
tlefield will become American terri
tory at 1920 o'clock this morning.
The ground Will be dedicated as Il
memorial TO those Americans who
gave their lives in the battle which
took place there.
The ceremony will be given an in
ternational significance by the pres
ence Of President Millerand of
France, Marshal F'och and Maj. Gen.
James G.. Harbord, representing the
French and American armies. as well
as an impressive delegation of off,
cials of the French and American
governments.
Two regiments of French troops
will participate in the ceremonies
and French bands will play Ameri-
can music for the occasion. COM
pany of United States Marines from
the L. S. $ Pittsburgh many Of them
veterans of the Belleau Wood battle,
aud an American naval contingent
will represent the military forces or
the United States.
Amusement Plan Failed.
Tar establishment OF the Belleau
Wood battlefield as a bit OF Amerl-
can territory in France Is the result
oi Il plan formed in the United states
last winter, when it became known
that the wood was for sale and was
u be purchased by Franco British
syndicate To be converted into an
amusement park for tourists On
the announcement thrill or lndigha-
tiOn passed through the American
public and there were numerous pro-
tests against the proposed establish
ment of the battlefield as an amuse-
ment park.
OF the battles fought by American
soldiers in Europe none are. better
known or have a stronger hold on
the public ina gination than the Bal
leau Wood action in the Snateano u
Thierry sector. Few indeed OF the
Americans who lived through the
dark days of the German offensive
towards Paris in May, 1918. do NOT
recall the thrill that ran through the
country when II was announced thaS
the American Marine brigade nad
been flung against the PruSSlan most
for Il last desperate stand at Beileau
Wood. near Chateau-Thierry, 9ust AT
the gates Of the French capital. Inc
story of the historic action fought Dy
the Marine brigade there Will re.
main written deep in the mihdS OF
Americans. The manner IN Whlch
they stopped the attack of the veteran
German troops and, taking tne omen
sive in turn. hurled them from tne
wood in a battle which Gen. Pershins
has called the Gettysburg or the
World War" will always form
bright page in American history.
Asa result of public indignation az
the proposal to turn the battlefield
into an amusement park, steps were
at once taken by an organization
named the Belleau Wood Memorial
Association, through its president
Mrs. James Carroll Frazer of WASH
ington, for the purchase of the WOOD.
With the active cooperation OF the
newspapers of the United states d
fund Of about $4,000 was raised al
most overnight. An option was Sc
cured on the battlefield and later the
purchase was completed, the tract
secured including about l50 acres
adjoining the rear of the American
cemetery at Belleau wood and com
prising the scenes of the most des-
perate fighting of the action.
Twenty-One states Represented
AT the ceremonies which will take
place at the battlefield today twenty
one of the states of the Union Will
be represented by delegates. Pa
rriotic societies, including the Amer
lean Legion. the Veterans OF Foreign
Wars. the Colonial Danes. Daughters
OF the Revolution, Daughters Of the
Confederacy, the order of the Cincin-
natl Colonial Society, the Sons OF
the Revolution and others, send
delegations. A number of American
senators and representatives who
are in Europe will attend the cere-
monies, as well as high ranking Off
GERS of the Army, Navy and Marine
Corps: newspaper editors. high off1-
ciaIs in the government and Amer
lean and foreign diplomats. Invita-
tions to attend the ceremony have
been sent to more than 5000 in this
country and abroad. and it is esti-
mated that several thousand will at
tend the ceremony.
Mrs James Carroll Frazer. presi-
dent Of the Eelleau Wood Memorial
Association, viii preside at the dedi
ga tion ceremonies and members of
the association will form committees
in charge Of arrangements together
with the European branches Of the
American Tegion and other pa
triotio societies. Every cooperation
Is being offered by the French gov
ernment and arrangements have been
made by Gen. Ferrie, in charge of
military communications in the
French army. to broadcast announce
ments Of the ceremony on the French
government wireless.