Evening journal., 1913-03-07
FRIDAY. MAR. 7. 1918.
GLOWING TRIBUTE TO DELAwARE SOLDIERS

GLOWING TRIBUTE TO DELAWARE SOLDIERS
7 AMEs f. J. ARCHIBALD. a Fellow OF the Royal
Geographical Society, and correspondent
who has served In fifteen campaigns, and seen more
than twenty-five armies war and peace, pays
glowing tribute the Organised Militia Of Delaware
critical article he has written for the Washington
Post the troops which participated in the inaugural
parade last Tuesday. He says in special article
in the Washington Post:
British coronation arrangements might have taught
much toward making the arrangements OF yestcr
days inauguration more agreeable for the public and
less tresome for the participants. IL IS dlhcut 10
make a comparison between this. the crowning event
in mans life, the turning point in our nation affairs
and the coronations such as nave seen IN tonuon'
Madrid India and St. Petersburg But u is not difficult
to point out MANY differences
The fundamental difference between enthusiastic
celebration of yesterday and tho last British coronation
u.s. that with the great evident desire is TO be seen
and not to see IL Is the desire to parade for the sake
paradng and not the desire to make that parade
credit to the country, it was IN London The one
dominant note OF discord when comparing President
Wilson's Inauguration to the coronation of King George
is shown in the horses aud in the police arrange
OF course our uniforms lack tue brilliant color
The spectacular finish of the British but where our
uniform g. well worn 1t is as attractive as any in the
world. Nothing could have been better thar the show
ing made yesterday by the Massachusetts, and the
Delaware divisions and the Fourth regiment Of Virginia.
earbod they were in their regulation OUTFIT The
Richmond Blues the West Point Annapolis, Virginia
Military Institute and Culver baalions were magn-
ncont n their special uniforms but even the regular
uniform an attraction i'm itself The regular troops
looked hnsnesslke, and that Is saying all that can be
said Bat otherwise there was hardly an organization
that would have passed blind dri sergeant In Eng
land
The New Jersey division was a disgrace to the State,
and the President must have been heartily ashamed
of the contingent In Old faded blue ovcrcoas Of
shade over khaki uniforms The officers were all
ing regulation drab obviously purchased by
themselves. the State would not equip the troops.
The foogoar of the companies about equally d.
vidcd between black Most of the officers and
we're chewing gum and chatting in the ranks, and
hailing their friend in the stand In which sat which
directly opposite the presidential reviewing stand
where at least they should have been on their good be
hayior
think was the worst example in line but the Dis
trct OF Columbia such a close second to make
it almost impossible to decide and wonders If there
IS no inspector in its organization There is no excuse
for company 10 have dozen different shades OF
leather in its equipment for there is uniform color
OF polish which should be supplied for leather.
there is no excuse for black shoes and shoes benl
The great beauty of the magnificent organization
seen at the last coronation at London not in th
brilliant uniforms for many of the English organiga
tions. such the Yorkshire Rifles and the Middlese
Infantry. have ugly dark green and drab uniform
which is practically black and yet because their boots
their leather equipment and their brass are kept ST
perfectly immaculate. they are of the most attractiv
regiments in England. The volunteers cannot be dis
inguished from the regulars, and there is reaso
why the same should not apply in this country. Tn
last thng that happens TO BRUSH soldier regular o
volunteer he leaves his barracks his camp eithe
for liberty or for parade Is that segeant looks hin
belt shoe. an unfastened button or a unifori
Equipment is found back he goes to complete his mil
tary toilet.
That personal inspection is what we sorelv need
this country What would we think of the West Poir
cadet CORPS, the finest body of military mental an
physical. in the world today should they have turne
ont in the sloppy. dirty untidy manner Of some &C. n
State troops? Yet why should thcy appear better tina
the others? II Is simply that they have estabiishc
STANDARD and living up TO t.
That is praise for State troops that everyoi
should appreciate because IL comes from compete
Judge and from man specially requested TO view n
parade with impartial and critical eye and to pa
expert Judgment upon the military representation
the nation and Of the several States