BRITAIN’S DEAS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1921, Page 5

BRITAIN’S DEAS.

TRIBUTE FROM AMERICA. MESSAGE OF FRATERNITY. LINKING TWO NATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. London, Oct. 17. The streets in the vicinity of Westminster Abbey were densely crowded today, when General Pershing placed the Congressional Medal on the grave < f Britain’s unknown warrior in the Abbey. Detachments of the Guards lined Whitehall, and a fine body of American troops, with naval men, from the American cruiser Olympic, participated in the pageant. The Duke of Connaught represented the King, and Mr. Lloyd George, Sir L. Worthington Evans, Lord Lee and Captain Guest accompanied Generali Pershing. In the Abbey the American Ambassador said the ceremony had a twofold significance. It comprised the highest military tribute and message of fraternity direct from the American people to the people of the British Empire. ‘‘There were two soldiers, one British, the other American. They fought under different flags, but upon the same vast battlefield/ What could be more fitting than that this soldier of the Great Republic should place this rare precious token of our appreciation and the affection of a hundred millions of kinsmen upon the tomb of his comrade, the soldier of the mighty Empire. I therefore call upon the General of the Armies of the United States to bestow the Medal of Honor upon this typical British soldier.”

General Pershing, after standing at the salute for a few seconds, said: — “Distinguished men and Women are enshrined here, who through the centuries gave their services and lives to make a glorious record, but there is none whose devotion inspires our admiration more than this unknown warrior. He will always remain the symbol of the tremendous sacrifice made by his people in the world’s greatest conflict. The hearts of the American people join in a tribute to the Englishspeaking people round this sepulchre. Let us maintain towards all people that Christian spirit which underlies the character of both nations. I place upon his tomb the Medal of Honor as u slight token of our gratitude and affection.”

Mr. Lloyd George expressed profound gratitude to the President, Congress, and American people for the striking homage shown to the valiant dead who gave their lives for freedom in all lands and the cause for which America helped to secure victory. “The homage paid to-day,” said the Premier, “will be a reminder in this and all generations to come that the fundamental aim of these two democracies' is the same, and a pledge to the valiant dead that these two mighty peoples, who were comrades in the Great War, have resolved to be comrades to guarantee a Great Peace.” The ceremony, which was most impressive. concluded with the singing of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the respective National Anthem, and the sounding of the Last Post. KING’S MESSAGE TO AMERICA. FRIENDLY SYMPATHY AND GOODWILL. V.C. FOR AMERICA’S WARRIOR. Received Oct. 18. 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 17. The King, in a message to President Harding, says: “I wish tq express to you. to Congress and to the people of the United States the warm appreciation of this country for the tribute you are paying our unknown warrior. Your gift of the Medal of Honor to a British comrade in arms is a gesture of friendly sympathy and goodwill which we ahull not forget. “On Armistice Day the British representatives in Washington will join you in the ceremony to be held in honor of the splendid record of your troops. I greatly wish on that occasion to confer upon your unknown warrior our highest decoration for valor, the Victoria Cross, which has never previously been bestowed upon a subject of another State. I also send heartfelt good wishes for the great international conference, which will open on that day through your wise initiative.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.