The Rochambeau Statue

THE ROCHAMBEAU STATUE.

Its Inception Due to Jules Boufve, Chancellor of French Embassy.

Considerable interest has been added to the Rochambeau ceremonies by the disclosure of the complete story as to how the statue of the commander of the French expeditionary forces of the Revolutionary war had its inception says a Washington dispatch to the New York Herald. M. Jules Boufve, chancellor of the French embassy, had noticed that there were in the United States eight statues of Lafayette and none of Rochambeau, and some time ago he conceived the idea of having the United States purchase a replica of Hamar's statue, which was unveiled at the last Paris exposition.

He succeeded in interesting influential senators, among them Senator Allison of Iowa, and in May, 1900, a bill authorizing the purchase of the statue was passed by the senate. Its reception was not favorable in the house of representatives. M. Boufve made new efforts during the session of 1900-01, which were successful, and on March 3, 1901, the president approved an act appropriating $7,500 for the statue. This sum was not sufficient for all the expenses, and M. Boufve again exercised his diplomacy, with the result that congress passed a bill appropriating the same of $15,000 for the pedestal, foundations and unveiling ceremonies, and subsequently two joint resolutions carrying appropriations aggregating $20,000 for the reception and entertainment of the delegates sent to represent the families of Rochambeau and Lafayette on the occasion of the unveiling ceremonies.

France has indicated her purpose to confer medals of the Legion of Honor upon Assistant Secretary of State H. H. D. Peirce, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore A. Bingham and Commander Raymond P. Rodgers, members of the president's commission for the reception and entertainment of the distinguished French visitors. M. Boufve will not be recognized by his government in any way.