Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-19

President Hoover's address at the
Yorktown celebration today follows:
mo person here present, no school
child of the millions listening In on this
occasion, needs reminder OF the sig
nificance of the Battle of Yorktown.
If we judge it by the standard Of bat
ties in which the contrary result would
have essentially varied the whole course
of history, then it becomes one Of the
very few decisive battles in the history
of the world.
six years of war for independence
had sorely exhausted the resources, de-
pleted the forces, and Slapped the sup
port of that group CT men whose genius
gave freedom to our country. With the
inroads the mother country had made
in subsection of the Northern Colonies,
it is extremely doubtful If the struggle
for independence could have succeeded
had Washington lost at Yorktown. Ger
tainly with the victory at Yorktown
our independence was won.
In military history, Yorktown Is
distinguished as one of the great battles
in which land and sea forces co-ordinat-
ed. The naval cooperation was
furnished by France, herself also at war
with Great Britain. For that co-opera-
ton we have held during these $50 years
greatful remembrance. That senti-
ment, continuing down through our his
tory, finally lowered in the cooperation
which the American people gave TO
France in their defense against an
overwhelming enemy. The presence of
Marshal Petain and Gen. Pershing here
today symbolizes this second comrade-
ship in arms, so magnificently begun
by De Grasse, Lafayette and Rocham-
beau.
Sees Common Goal.
I'VE assemble here to celebrate a VIC
tory for our own independence, but not
essentially a victory over the British.
The long span Of history will interpret
the American, War for independence
and this battle more in the light of
a struggle amongst English-speaking
people for the establishment in govern
ment of an extension Of a common
philosophy of human rights begun at
Runnymede. The principles and ideas
for which America contended had many
adherentS and much sympathy in Eng
land at that time. The victory of the
Americans gave impulse to the new
order throughout the world; and while
the sovereignitieS Of America and Eng
land definitely diverged at Yorktown,
vet the march of the ideals for which
the Americans fought also went forward
anu lIluLlDIlCd III ANoCh'
The common acceptance of many
of these principles has aligned the
English-speaking people side by side
for a century of peace, concord. sym
pathy and devotion to liberty defined
and assured under reign of law. The
triumph of these new ideas in America
strengthened the impulses for liberty
in France.
1T is not to be doubted wrote La
fayette, in sending the keys Of the
Bastille to Washington, that the prin-
ciples of America opened the Bastille.'
Pays Tribute to Washington.
Our purpose today is to pay homage
to a glorious event in our national his
tory. Among many benedictions offered
to us by this ceremony one is re-
newed acquaintance with the spirit of
George Washington. The campaign
which led to its final climax here eStab-
lished his military genius. 1t was
the crown of victory which placed his
name among the great commanders Of
all time.
1T is not too much to say that with
out Washington the war for independ-
ence would not have been won.
"Washington's greatness was far