Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-30
GR|E WING PRINCE:
VISITS Z SHR|NES
Heir Apparent of Japan Lays
Wreaths at Mount Vernon
and Arlington.

Prince Yasuhito Chichibu, bowed
with grief over the death of his
father, the late Emperor of Japan,
found time this morning to pay h0m
age before the tombs of two great
AmericanS-George Washington at
Mount Vernon, and the Unknown
Soldier who symbolizes America s
sacrifice for world peace. at Arlington.
This afternoon, just before he leaves
Washington to continue his journey
to Toxic. the heir apparent TO the
throne of Japan will personally eX
press to President Coolidge, his graft
tude for Americas condolences over
the passing of the Emperor.
The royal visitor reached Washing
ton last night to greet President Cool
idge as the spokesman of this Nation
At his own request, all ceremonials
were dispensed with and he was re-
ceived with the utmost simplicity,
promising, however, that when he
passes through the United States
again on his way back to his studies
in England, he will make his visit
an official one as the heir apparent.
The determination to visit the tomb
Of the Unknown Soldier and Mount
Vernon, the home of George Washing
ton, was reached only late yesterday
afternoon. when the royal visitor per
Sonally expressed a desire to lay
wreaths at these two shrines of Amer
ican devotion He was accompanied
on the visits only by members of his
1soJ Trx;~wI III
Assistant Secretary of State. officially
representing the United States govern
ment.
Enters i'm Silence.
Leaving the Japanese embassy on
X street promptly at 10 o'clock, the
automobiles carrying Prince ChiChibu
and his suite made the trip to Ar
Iington over Key Bridge, arriving
there about half hour later. 1t was
the first time that a member of the
reigning house Of great foreign ma
ton had ever passed within the gates
of the cemetery without hearing the
guns at Fort Myer roar out ma
tional salute to the accompaniment of
clinking sabers brought to attention
by a Cavalry guard. Weighed down
by his grief, however. the Crown
PflnCe DdU dSkcu tIidL tHcIS bc llO
display on his behalf.
AS a result, his cars passed through
Fort Myer almost unnoticed. At the
amphitheater, a bare corporal's squad
of eight formed a guard at the steps
through which the party passed to be
received within by Brig. Gen. Rochen-
bach. commander of the District of
Washington, and his aides The
amphitheater had been closed to all
visitors shortly before the princes
arrival, so that he might inspect the
trophies within the structure without
interference. Every one, except the
members of his official party was
barred from the building while he was
there.
Another file Of soldiers stood at
rigid attention as the party APP
preached the Tomb of the Unknown.
At the foot OF the broad marble steps
leading down to the tomb the princes
attendants halted. Chichibu advanced
alone until he was within about
three feet of the simple tomb. There
in the past princes of the Oc-
cident have stood in stiff salute be-
fore the bier of Americas Unknown.
but the Prince of the Orient bowed
low and gravely after the fashion of
his own people. He stood SO for a
and in the position of one Offering a
devout prayer.
Arranges Flowers.
Rising slowly. he looked intently at
the tomb for a brief second and then
summoned his aide to bring the
wreath. Taking the tribute from his
attendant, Prince Chichibu walked
over to the tomb and carefully ar
ranged the flowers at it's head. Then
bowing again he backed several steps,
turned and summoned his suite. A
few minutes was spent on the steps
below the amphitheater while Prince
Chichibu admired the graceful lines
of the building, the whiteness of which
was accentuated by the bright sunny
day.
The trip to Mount Vernon was a
Ieisurely one Two members of the
Metropolitan Police rode ahead of the
five cars carrying the party. carefully
guarding their distinguished charge
from possible traffic mishaps. Mount
Vernon was reached about 1880.
James Young. assistant superintend-
ent, welcomed the royal visitor and
the members OF his party in the alb
ceof Col. III. FL. Dodge. who is Ill.
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