South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-20
CAPITAL TAKES
WAR SERIOUSLY
Churches AS We'll AS Street
Emphasize Fact That u. S.
is Now BeIIigerent.
BY Kenneth MacDOugaII.
International News STAFF Cores
pendent.


pendent.
WASHINGTON, April 2O.-"On-
ward. Christian Soldiers." The
familiar strains OF the hymn float
to me through the partly closed
doors of an old church.
The voices of the choir, mingled
with those Of the congregation. ring
forth like a mighty challenge.
There is no half-hearted humble Of
words. Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching on 10 war" seems 10 bear
added significance. The enthusi-
asm with which it is rendered at
tracts me and I am drawn by some
unseen power into the church.
The congregation is starting 70
sing the second verse. I slip quietly
into a back pew and listen. as the
hymn progresses it seems TO gain
in enthusiasm. The voices gain in
power until they seem moulded into
a sort of heavenly battle cry. l
catch the spirit OF the occasion and
soon I. too. am singing with the rest.
The hymn is finished. The minis
ter starts to pray. but the inspira-
ton Of the hymn still grips me. 1t
is the most impressive thing 1 have
witnessed in Washington.
The singing of that hymn brings
back 10 me the realization that we
Americans have taken the attitude
of the old crusader and will soon be
marching on 70 war"
/ leave the church and walk to-
ward the white house. Through the
iron fence surrounding the execu-
tive mansion I can see the blossoms
OF spring Except for the solitary
policeman pacing back and forth
before the main gate. the grounds
appear deserted.
Outside, where I am walking,
there are perhaps a hundred men,
women and children. Suddenly a
low murmur Of excitement sweeps
through the street and in an instant.
as if springing from the ground, a
huge crowd rushes toward the main
gate. I follow and get a glimpse Of
the president.
Seated in a long. black limousine,
emblazoned with the national coat
Of arms he smiles TO the crowd
clustered around the gates. Mothers
hold tiny youngsters up on their
shoulders that they may see him.
The first lady of the land, seat
ed beside the president, smiles and
waves her hand at a tiny tot near
the machine, and the crowd ap-
pIauds. The gates swing back and
the car moves swiftly up the drive
toward the white house porch.
There is no display. No clatter-
ing escort in resplendent uniform.
No blare Of trumpets. no wild cheer
ing. The very spirit Of the entire
affair breathes democracy. It's very
simplicity is impressive. Here we
are at war and our president goes
about exactly the same as in times
of peace. Except for the few secret
service men who accompany him
there is no guard.
1 continue my walk and in front
of the state, war and navy building
catch sight of a familiar figure.
Josephus Daniels. in charge of the
destinies of our feet, is standing
talking to a tall. distinguished look
ing man. A small boy, clad in
sailor toys. is playing with tiny
puppy a few feet away.
Come here. Jack, and meet the
secretary Of the navy" calls the tall
man. Jack and the puppy come
forward. He gravely extends his
hand to the secretary and just as
graveIy the secretary clasps it.
This is indeed a decided honor,
Jack" remarks the secretary, bend
ing over TO pat the puppy. 4 see
you have on a sailor uniform. Are
you going TO join the navy when
you grow up?"
Yep" says the tiny seaman. 81
is" and without further fOrmalities
he turns his entire attention to the
puppy.
Down the street comes a huge
closed automobile. On the left Of
the hood is the American flag and
on the right the tricolor OF France.
Inside the car sits the French
Ambassador NJ. Jules Jusserand,
and. like many another good Amer
lean in my vicinity. I am overcome
by the pretty compliment enough
to shout ''Vive La Franco!
My spine tingles and begin to
catch the war spirit l have been
looking for. notice an elderly
gentleman. wearing a C. a. r. but
ton in the lapel Of his coat, wipe
away a tear.
I pass a number of marines. re-
splendent in dress uniform and
plastered with service stripes. Two
cavalrymen clatter by. sitting proud
" erect in their saddles. Occasion
ally I pass a sailor, but with these
few exceptions there is no display
OF uniform.
My eve catches sigh Of an impor-
tant looking automobile speeding
toward me and in another instant
there flashes by the Russian am
bassador. Two huge Cossacks, in