Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-15
BLOOM RAPS SHIFT
IN YORKTOWN PLAN
TO DEPICT VICTORY
Lord Corvallis Surrender
Pageant Scene Detected
After Official Hint.
U. S. DENIES REPORTS
OF SUGGESTING CHANGE
Fear of Embarrassing British Hit
by 80 Fete Director, Who
Refuses to Comply.

Another battle Of Yorktown looms
this time between patriotic organiza-
lions with divergent views regarding
inclusion Of scenes depicting the sur
render Of Lord CORVALLIS In COM
memorative pageantry.
The Yorktown Sesquicentennial Com
mission, responding, 1t is said, to "sug-
sestions" from ofdcial sources, has de-
cided to eliminate the CORVALLIS cpl
sode from the pageant at Yorktown.
Va. next October, but the George
Washington Bicentennial Commission
today issued a declaration OF nde-
pendence."
Taking cognizance of published re-
ports that State Department ofhcials
had prompted deletion Of the York
town program because the surrender
scene might embarraSs British visitors,
Representative Sol Bloom, associate al.
rector Of the Bicentennial Commission,
declared there would be no censorship
Of the Bicentennia' pageantry II he can
avoid 1t.
u, S.. Denies Ofiicial Hint.
At the State Department 1t was said
there had been no official representa-
lions to the Yorktown Commission re-
garding the CORVALLIS surrender. II
any State Department omcial dropped
an unofncial hint to the commission
that would be his own responsibility, II
was added.
At ofnces Of the Yorktown Com-,is-
sion in the Capital 1t was stated he
CORVALLIS scenes had been eliminated
from the pageant, but no information
was forthcoming as to who ordered the
deletion, or why. A.
The State Department explained its
''only interest" In the yorktown ceie-
bration Is in legislation appropriating
$4,000 for the entertainment OF dis
tinguished foreign visitors at yorktown.
These visitors, It Is understood, WAL IN
clude British officials, descendants OF
French Revolutionary allies and others.
Bloom Calls Move Mistake.
"r cannot but think there is some
serious mistake in relation to the re-
port that the State Department has
asked the Yorktown Sesquicentennial
Commission TO delete in its pageantry
the climax Of an event Of such supreme
importance as the surrender OF LORD
Corvallis" Representative Bloom SAID
today.
"It is inconceivable that any authority
should seek to 30 warp our own nationei
history for fear Of woundtng the senSl-
Dilities Of . nation that has long since
ceased to bear the least resentment on
account Of that famous surrender.
I'VE are now on the eve OF celebrating
the 200th anniversary OF the birth OF
George Washington. The entire MS
tory Of this man, as well as the history
of his herioc compatriotS, reaches us
climax and fullhllment In the winning
Of the Revolutionary War.
Terms Deletion ''BIunder."
1T believe no greater blunder could
be performed, no greater mistake could
be made than that indicated by this
alleged decision of some Of the men In
the State Department. .,..,,,..
yorktown means more TO clVnlza-
ton than any other military victory
that ever was achieved. The whole
world is reaping the benefits OF that
campaign which ended so wonderfully
on the banks Of the York River. Be-
sides this, I think 1t is wholly unwar-
ranted to assume that British SENSIBLE
tiles, after $50 years, are to be wounded
by reference to that battle and that
victory.
"As q matter Of fact, 1t was said by
British statesmen that the victory OF
Yorktown was as great a victory for
Great Britain as 1t was for America.
The British are and always have been
good sports. Lord CORVALLIS was .
gentleman and nne soldier. IneSe
qualities are attested by the fact that
the day after the capitulation at York
town, George washington gave din
ner to Lord CORVALLIS and his ofhcers
and the best Of good feeling prevailed
Throughout the United States today
preparations are going forward In hun
dreds of cities for the presentation OF
pageants depicting events In George
Washington's life. In most OF these
pageants there Is reference to York
town and that great victory. These
references are not In any form thai
would give offense, but they rightfully
refer to a victory that has been the
pride Of America for century and .
half. It Is as vital part Of our history
as Is the Declaration Of Independence
for 1t made that Declaration OF Inde'
pendence living reality.
Refuses to Alter Program.
I'VE certainly will not change oul
program until we have had ofiicial IN
formation from the Secretary Of STATE
that this decision, made during his alb
sence abroad, bears his indorsement.
'"The victory Of Yorktown Is as much
the pride Of America as Is our nag. II
Il as much the pride Of America a;
washington himself And I, for one
do not feel that the whole American
people should be. diverted from theil
patriotic and honorable enthusiasm be.
cause Of the mere impression that suct
enthusiasm should give onense."
pPlc0N GRAFT PR0RE