Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-06
i. S.-FRENCH TIES
BINDING, SAYSBECK
Pleads for Human View of
Difficulties at Testimonial!
Dinner to Richards.

Pleading for a human view of the
difficulties of France, James NJ. Beck.
former Solicitor General of the United
States, declared last night in an ad-
dress before the Sons of the Revolu-
ton in the District of Columbia, that
a nation which ieopardized it's nation
al existence nearly $50 years ago to
aid the American Colonies at time
it was itself in financial straits should
have the utmost consideration of the
United States today.
Mr. Beck made no direct reference
to settlement of the French debt and
did not mention the financial sittla-
ton between the United States and
France. He said however, that
mutual bond of comradeship and
friendship binds this Nation AMI the
greatest republic of Europe in insep-
arabic bonds of alliance that should
never be broken for any cause.
Testimonial TO Richards.
The occasion was testimonial din.
ner given by the District Society of
the Sons of the Revolution to Brig
Gen. George Richards, u. s. NJ. c.,
who recently retired from the presi-
dency of the society in Washington
after 10 years of service. All four
speakers at the dinner paid tribute to
the faithful service of Gen. Richards
in his office.
Recalling that Benjamin Franklin
signed 149 years ago today the treaty
Of peace with the American Colonies
which resulted in French aid being
granted the Colonies in their fight for
independence at their darkest hour,
while Gen. Washington, with his
meager Continental Army, was biv
Ouacked at Valley Forge. Mr. Beck
said this Nation should now take a
sympathetic and friendly attitude to-
ward France and should aid the sister
republic of Europe in every possible
way.
Mr. Beck also recalled that Gen.
Gouraud of the French Army had told
him French losses In men during the
World War, if they could be called
back to life and marshaled in militar'.
array, would take IA days to pass a
given point marching continuously III
formation.
Opposes Centralized Authority.
Deploring the tendency toward cen
radiation of the voice of the voters of
the United States in about ESQ head
quarters of national organizations in
Gen. RicharSs urged the
District society to fight Capitalization
Of authority of the society, and to
maintain the active work of the or
ganization in the State bodies.
TOO great Capitalization OF author
ty in cliques,'' he said. us not local
self government and Is not American"
1e urged the retention of selfgovern
ng democratic principles and pleaded
hat the society not surrender the
Fights of its State organizations to a
centralized authority.
Gen. Georges A. l.. Dumont, mill !
AIRY attache of the French Embassy /!
'eplied briefly to Mr.. Beck's address |
hoping for continued amity between /!
he United States and France. I'VE |
nave some boys buried here" he said, |
and you have some boys over there"
A eulogy Of Gen. Richards, in which |
he part the distinguished Marine |
,fficer played in preserving the entity |
# the Marines as sea soldiers" was |
old by DR. Thomas L. Green. chap |
ain of the Sons of the Revolution. |
Dr.. Green reviewed briefly the career |
# Gen. Richards, tracing his ancestry |
,ack to a king OF England, and de- |
ailing the steps of his rise in the |
Marine Corps.
Joined Order i'm 1912.
Gen. Richards became a member of |
he Sons of the Revolution in 1912. |
IN 1916 he was elected president and |
vas reelected nine successive times. |
He is at present general treasurer of |
he national society. On December IA, |
1925, he was elected honorary presi- !
lent of the District of Columbia So |
,iety DR. Green last night presented |
lim with the star of the society, EN- |
1lematic of the Office of honorary |
president.
Rear Admiral A A. Gleaves pre- |
sided He was introduced by DIR. Mar. |
,us A. Benjamin, president of the So |
,iety, who indicted two candidates |
nto the society and presented Maj. |
2. f. Riggs with the honorary insig-
lia of the order for meritorious work |
performed during 1926 for the order. |