The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-12
THE MILITARY PARADE
Impression Upon an American Fighter
of Three Wars in Two Hemispheres.

Of Three Wars in Two Hefnispheres.
General Joseph Wheeler, United States
army, sends the following cable dis
patch to the New York American and
Journal on the military features of the
coronation:
I saw the coronation procession from
a stand at Whitehall. I had been Of
fered a. seat in the Abbey, but this
declined. I did not care to be in tho
Abbey as I did not wish to miss tho
military parade. which was the char
acteristic feature of the day, and the
like of which will probably not be seen
in England again for years, for the
parade included representative troor.A
from every British colony.
las a military spectacle the parade was
interesting in the highest degree. The
Horse Guards made the showest ap-
pearance They're the most spl'andid
looking cavalry in the world, but both
horses and men are too heavy for en-
durance They are not such as I would
select for actual service in the field.
The picturesquey costumed Indian
soldiers, the pick of the Indian army,
struck me as being men who could rem
der efficient service, their horses appar-
entity being well built for cavalry ser
vice. The Australians looked more like
American cavalry than the others, and
Impressed me accordingly.
Full
The feature Of the parade that i'm
pressed me strongly was the foot artil-
lery. Their pieces were taken apart
and carried by me- @sos, the gun itself
being carried on q Utter. Such bate
Ties can scale hills and place their guns
in favorable position and get into action
quickly. I expected more variety among
the English troops. There was a same
ness about the cavalry escorts which
was remarkable, considering the vare-
ties available.
The appearance of Lords Roberts and
Kitchener in the parade precipitated
tumult Of cheers from the crowd. to
which neither paid any attention. Both
were impressively dignified.
The crowds near me sang the English
national anthem as the King APP
preached, and the song was passed
along the stands as His Majesty passed.
All the way from the Abbey TO Charing
Cross was a continual song. / was
quite impressive The King and Queen
appeared wonderfully well pleased at
their ovation The Prince of Wales
children seemed TO appreciate the cheers
and enthusiasm more than anybody else
They saluted the crowds in soldierly
fashion and made a. great impression.
The military formation of the parade
was admirable. and proved to be the
work of master hand. l never saw
better humored crowd. The people
displayed no Impotence at the long
wait, and all seemed enthusiastic and
happy.
THE QUEEN RADIANTLY HAPPY.
! did not expect to see the King look
ing SO we'll. He did not seem fatigued
on his return trip. While the Queen
looked radiantly happy and apparently
shared in the crowds enjoyment a the
appearance of the King. Tho Queens
face was wreathed in smiles. think
the coronation spectacle will be of great
benefit to England. The applause and
attention received by the Indian troops
will send them filed with enthusiasm
and love for the mother country. and
the Indian princes will return with
warmer feeling for England than they
had before.
The military spectacle on the whole
was much the same as might be seen
in other countries, even in the United
States. excepting for its Oriental fea
lures but the royal equipages were SO
resplendently gaudy that they could
have no place anywhere except in
monarchy, We shall never attain in
the United States to a point where the
people will welcome such display.
Gilded carriages liveried positions, out
riders and footmen serve little purpose
except to impress the ignorant and i'm
part to nonarchs superhuman attri-
butes. Such displays would not be toll
Grated in the United States. and it is
probable England will outgrow them.
AS it is, Englishmen apologize for them
by saying it is an adherence to ancient
custom. 1t is a part of the condition
found in all 1nonarchies. and of what
was called by Napoleon in his work on
artillery "a conservation which has
tendency to adhere TO anything old. no
matter however stupid and inapprcahe
to present conditions it may be. and to
oppose anything new, no matter how
good and advantageous"