Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-15
AMERICAS UNITED
IN GROWING AM|TY,
|. SAYS CUBAN ENVOY
Ambassador Ferrara Ad-
dresses Spanish War Vet.
Grams at Maine Exercises.
C0OLIDGE'S WREATHS
| PLACED BEFORE SHAFT
Col. Grayson Tells of Many Benefits
to Peace and Progress Resulting
From Intervention in 1898.

Free and independent Cuba is "a liv-
ing proof that force need not be feared
when animated and controlled by
right" Senior Orestes Ferrara, Cuban
Ambassador to the United States, de-
clared today in addressing the United
Spanish War Veterans at the Maine
memorial exercises on the thirty-first
anniversary of the destruction of the
battleship Maine in Havana Harbor.
Prominent Government officials and
representatives of the various veterans
organizations in the District assembled
IN the riding hall at Fort Myer for the
exercises, following the placing of floral
Wreaths presented by President Coolidge
before the Maine shaft in Arlington
National Cemetery.
such spirit as animated this cour-
try in 1898, Ambassador Ferrara de-
clared, is responsible for the fact that
the Americas today are united in
growing amity, in continuing labor
OF peace and love-"
THE Americans" he said, "are Great
ing new principles of friendship among
nations, are carrying to the distruStful
field of international interests the def
nitions of standards of good and of evil,
OF justice and injustice IL and this in
spite Of opportuniSm and self interest.
The shadow Of the tragedy Of the
Maine spreads beneficently over these
noble sacrifices" he said.
New Spirit Is Manifest.
Out of the conflict with Spain and
the liberation of Cuba, Ambassador Fer
rara declared, has emanated q new
spirit OF international dealing, which
has created for this Government a bond
of confidence and friendship and Sc
curity on the part of Latin American
nations.
This explains" he added, "the re-
cent great success of Pan-Americanisf1
the late conferences at Havana and
Washington and their results. Because
OF this there awaits us a future, not
alone Of concord, but of political and
economic understanding. Because of
this this hemisphere viii point the way
for the world, not easy certainly, but
Indispensable to progress. Of human sol
idarity."
Col. William L. Grayson, commander
ln-chief of the United Spanish War
veterans, also said that the liberation
OF Cuba had served to unite the Ameri-
cas- IN bonds OF lasting friendship. 'eThe
men VINO went down with the Maine"
he declared, did not die in vain. for
the world saw for the first time inter-
vention for humanity" AZ
Those who went to Cuba in 1898
know how heartfelt was the welcome to
the American soldiers at that time" he
said. Those who returned in 1928 to
the convention in Havana will vouch
Tor the statement that the welcome had
not been dimmed by years that had
passed"
America Reaps BOunteous Harvest.
But Cubans we're not alone the bene-
f1clarieS OF our deeds of 1885," he said.
The American people themselves reaped
most bcunteouSly from the seeds there
Sown"
Departmental Comdr James G.. Yaden.
VINO also addressed the gathering, lau.s
of 1898. 49, '-'-
THE United States Constitution. he
added, sis said to be and probably is.
the greatest document ever struck of
by the pen of man. The Stars and
Stripes truly are the emblem OF liberty.
but we ever must remember that the
Constitution is not self-executing and
the Stars and Stripes, in the sight of the
anarchist, IS nothing but despised rag.
1t is true love of country and desire TO
obey the laws Of the land that makes
the Constitution honored and revered."
the exercises at Fort Myer were held
under the auspices of the Maine Me-
mortal committee, of which Capt. John
Lewis Smith, past departmental COM
was chairman and Lee H. Har-
riS, secretary. Other members of the
executive committee were James G..
Yaden, Daniel w. Chisholm, Mai. Fred
eric S. Hodgson. Jere A. Costello, Gus
tave E. Rausch, James E. Maynard,
William l.. Mattocks, Charles. j. p.
Weber, Samuel G.. Mawson, James J.
Murphy, Harry F. Patterson, Charles
w: Mccartney, Clarence A. Belknap,
Albert Michaud, Arthur H. League,
Lorin G. Nelson, Benjamin f. Motley.
A. Eugene Pierce and William E. Rink.
Mattocks Master of Ceremonies.
William L. Mattocks, past depart
mental commander, acted as master of
After the presentation of colors by
the color guard of the navy yard, Chap
lain A. F. Vaughan of Fort Myer de-
ivered the invocation.
Music was furnished by the United
States Marine Band, Capt. Taylor
Branson, leader, and the Cuban national
anthem mingled with the notes of "The
Star Spangled Banner" sung by Miss
Mccartney, Miss Hazel Arth, re-
cent prize winner of the radio contest
staged by the Atwater Kent Founda-
ion. sang ave Maria.
Three volleys, fired by a detachment
'f Marines, and the sounding of Taps"
brought the exercises to a close.
The Ladies' Auxiliary, headed by Car
lie e. Nolan, and the Lineal Society Of
he Spanish War, headed by Mrs. Kath-
crime Baum, had charge of the simple
exercises before the Maine shaft in Ar
ington Cemetery preceding the formal