Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-15
YORKTOWN TURNS
BACK j. S. HISTORY
Gay Uniforms of Former AGE
add Color as French
NotabIes Arrive.
BY JOSEPH s. EDGERToN,
Staff Correspondent OF The star.

YORKTOWN. Va October lS.-The
pages OF American history were inter-
mingled strangely today. as troops in
the picturesque uniforms of the CONT
mental Army, the blue of the brigades OF
Lafayette and Rochambeau, the tattered
coonskins Of the mountain men oil
Washington's forces and the scarlet OF
the British legions Of CORVALLIS min
gled with the grsys Of crack New York
troops which fought in 1912 and with
the khaki Of the mechanical Army OF
today and the blues of the 1881 NAVY
Modern Ships In River.
Out Of the blue waters of the river ir
front Of Yorktown. where m 1881 rode
the wooden ships Of the feet OF De
Grasse. blockading the British from the
water. while the Americans and French
nemmed them in from the land. there
ride today the impressive gray steel
giants OF the American feet of 1881.
One OF the most colorful celebrations
IN the history Of the stored peninsula
OF Northern Virginia was m the making
today as the might of two nations was
gathered to celebrate the victory at
yorktown $50 years ago on October 10.
which marked the beginning of Ameri-
can life as an independent nation.
tomorrow will witness the opening of
four-day celebration at Yorktown and
at Williamsburg, several miles away,
which will bring together some of the
greatest civil and military leaders OF
france and the United States.
Climax to BE Monday.
The celebration will reach its climax
on Monday, when before President
hoover. Gen. John j. Pershing. leader
OF the American forces in France
Marshal Henri Petain. leader of the
French Armies, and others noted in the
councils OF the two nations will witness
the nnal pageant depicting the surren-
der of CORVALLIS to Washington and
1he beginning OF American life as q
separate Nation
On the paved highways Of today
which lead to Yorktown a tide of mod
ern trafiic from every part OF the
united states was moving into the area
which marked the earliest beginnings
OF American life in the Old Dominion
over these roads. the same which
CORVALLIS retreated before the advance
OF Lafayette and Wayne in the sum-
mer OF 1871. there moved great trucks
OF the Army today, moving equipment
for the troops which will portray the
scenes In which their earliest predeces-
sors took so gallant a part.
Picked vessels of the United States
Nays scouting force steamed into
Hampton Roads today escorting the
French cruisers Suffern and Duquesne,
bearing a distinguished French delega-
ton headed by Marshal Petain and in
Guiding Adelbert de Chambrun. great
grandson Of the Marquis de Lafayette
Army Heads Present.
Petain, famed as the Savior Of YER
dun" was greeted as he came ashore
at Old Point Comfort this afternoon by
Gen. Pershing, representing the United
States and the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia. The welcoming party included
Maj. Gen. Douglas Macarthur, chief Of
staff Of the Army: Gen. Stanley D. EN-
bick, commanding Fort Monroe; Gov
Pollard of Virginia, leaders of the
United States Yorktown SeSquicenten-
NAL Commission and q number of other
notables and aides.
Twin celebrations will begin tomorrow
morning at both Yorktown and Will
liamsburg and will continue day and
night through Monday Dedication of
the National Colonial Monument, au-
thorized by Congress last year; the
presentation. acceptance and dedication
of o score Of monuments and memorials.
military and naval demonstrations and
pageants depicting the events OF GEN.
fury and half ago are scheduled.
Banquets Are Planned.
In addition to the participation Of
President Hoover. who is to speak Mon
day, members OF the cabinet. ranking
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