Evening star., 1927-11-29
BODY Of DIPLOMAT
ON WAY HOMEWARD
Final Honors Paid Sanchez
Latour, Deceased Guate-
maIan Minister.

Accorded distinguished honor, the
body of Francisco Sanchez-Latour,
late Minister of Guatemala to the
United States. was placed aboard the
cruiser Memphis at the navy yard
shortly after noon today for it's last
journey to his native land.
Religious services were held earlier
at the Washington Cathedral, and a
squadron Of cavalrymen escorted the
body to the navy yard. Led by the
Navy Band playing a dirge, the
funeral procession. which formed at
the navy yard gate, wended it's way
to where the Memphis was docked.
Navy petty officers marched by the
side of the caisson bearing the body.
When the cruiser was reached, the
cavalrymen drew up with sabers
flashing. and as the casket was taken
from the caisson the band played
Nearer. My God, to Thee" and later
Lead, Kindly Light" was rendered
as the body was taken aboard.
Swords Draped i'm Crepe.
Naval officers in full dress uniforms,
with crepe-draped swords, and the
crews of the Memphis and U. S. S.
Mayfower, the Presidents yacht,
lined the rail as the body arrived. Ad-
miral A. L. Willard, commandant of
the navy yard, attended the cere-
monies.
An official funeral will be held at
Guatemala City for the Minister. it
was announced by DR.. Leo S. Rowe.
director of the Pan-American Union,
who assisted at the ceremonies.
Shortly before the body was taken
aboard the Memphis, Sonora Sanchez
Latour, who is Virginian by birth,
went aboard the vessel, as did the
Minister'S brother, Delfino Sanchez
Latour, counsel general for Guate.
mala at New York. They are ac-
companying the body,
Unusual Privilege Cited.
Representative Britten of illinois,
ranking Republican of the House
naval committee and close friend of
Senior SancheZ-Latour, recalled that
this is the first time in the history
of all the Government that the widow
of a diplomat has accompanied the
body of her husband aboard a war.
ship. BY permitting this innovation.
Mr.. Britten said. the act was a
compliment to the Minister, to Guate-
mala and to Central America. He
emphasized the good will the United
States bears to Latin America as H.
Illustrated by todays ceremonies.
Fifteen one-minute guns were fired
at the navy yard in honor of the
deceased diplomat as the cruiser pre-
pared to get under way and sail down
the Potomac River for Central Amer.
lea.
Harshel Johnson, foreign service
officer in the State Department, went
aboard the cruiser as the representa-
tive of the American Government,
who will attend the funeral in Guate-
mala City.
The Memphis is due at Puerto Bar
rios, Guatemala, December 5. The
Minister will be buried at Quetzal-
tenango. in the mountains, about two
days trip from Guatemala City, and
where his grandfather and father are
buried.
Services at Cathedral Chapel.
Prayers and benedicition for the min
lister were held IN the Chapel of st.
Joseph of Arimathea in Washington
Cathedral, where the body has lain
since funeral services were held a
few days after his death. Right Rev.
Philip M. Rhinelander. assisted by
Canon Arthur B. Rudd, conducted the
services.
Prominent Latin diplomats and per-
sonal friends, including Everett San
ders. secretary to President Coolidge,
participated in the services.
The body was placed on the caisson
and. accompanied by squadron of
Cavalry from Fort Myer, was taken
to the Navy Yard. Nine dapple gray
horses drew the caisson. The flag Of
his native Guatemala draped the cas-
ket