The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-16
COL. WHITTLESEY
THRILLS Big CROWD
Audience at Armory Cheers
Leader Of Heroic '"'Lost"
Battalion.
McAtOO CHIEF SPEAKER
Retiring Secretary Addresses
Opening of Episcopal
Peace Jubilee.


shouldered young man stepped out on
the temporary platform In the sixty
ninth Regiment Armory yesterday at
the opening of the Union Peace Jubi'
lee, attended by the associated congre-
CATIONS OF the six largest Episcopal
churches in the city. He received but
scant notice from the audience as he
slipped into a seat next to the one
occupied by William @. McAdoo, re-
firing Secretary Of the Treasury who
had come from Washington to de-
liver the principal address Of the
afternoon.
There was nothing in the newcom-
er's modest, almost scholarly mien, to
suggest the military man, and the
1000 or more men and women in the
hall gasped In establishment when he
was introduced to them as Lieut.. Col
onel Charles W. Whittlesey, L. s. A,
commander OF the "lost battalion,
which was surrounded in the Argonne
Forest but held out for six days and
nights until relief arrived.
There were few in the hall who did
not know by heart the history OF that
gallant band OF Americans and there
were fewer still who did not join in
the mighty cheer that shook the ar
mory as its leader arose to address
them. For fully three minutes the
cheering continued while Colonel
whittlesey stood uneasily, shifting his
weight from one foot to the other walt
ing for the enthusiastic outburst to
subside. He was described by the
chairman, George Zabriskie, as a
modern Cincinnatus who had laid
aside his sword to 60 back to the pur-
suits Of peace.
Flea for Tolerance.
Colonel whittlesey made no pre-
tense at oratory. Perhaps he realized
that nothing he could say would equal
in forceful ,''quence his few we'll
chosen words hen he told the Ger
mans who demaa Sed his surrender in
the Argonne to 60 to hell" What he
did say however, was in a measure
= plea for tolerance.
'The American soldiers are not go
ing to come back hating the Ger
mans" he declared. mo man who has
been out in the front line trenches
facing the enemy IL going to return
with malice In his heart. The para
mount trait Of the American soldier
Is kindness. II hs met the Kaiser
on the road he would be as willing to
share his cigarettes with him as with
any one else"
The United States, Colonel Whittle-
sey added, had not suffered as keenly
as the Allies either in the loss OF
blood or treasure, and was therefore
better able to assume q temperate at
titude.
"I am not criticising the foreign
officers and men who suffered 30 ter
ribly before we enteG ed the war" he
added. Never in any one generation
have so many men suffered ouch keen
hardships as they did. But it would
be a shame to sacrifice this separate
immunity from hatrded as our specia
privilege. Mind you, do not want &c
let the Germans off to easily.
merely want to see justice done
Germany after the war. 1t must be
remembered. Is going to be part OF
our world community"
Silence greeted this portion OF the
speakers address. The audience may
have disapproved or 1t may have fell
too deeply the effect OF Colonel Whit.
telsey's words to voice Its approval
Certain II is, however, that his senti-
ments on this score were not greeted
with the vigorous applaube which
punctuated the rest of his speech.
No Reference TO Railways.
Mr.. McAdoo reviewed the history o.
the war from an administrative view
point. His address was the first thai
he has made since he resigned hi!
post as Secretary of the Treasury ant
will probably be his last before tina
resignation goes into effect. He de-
scribed the important part played b,
the seiective service act. the soldier!
and sailors insurance bill and tn,
Liberty Loan campaigns in the con
duct OF the war. He even took sid,
slap at the Chinese exclusion act. bu
he gracefully skirted any direct state
ment concerning the ACCESSIBILITY o
the Government assuming permanen
control OF the railroads.
Il don't know anything more map
propriate," he said with n smile. "thai
the discussion OF the Government
ownership OF railroads at n churcl
meeting. The Government had TO TAX
over the transportation systems dur
ing the war and the private owner
for the time being had to step aside
Now you can do what you please witt
them. II makes no difference to m
whether you decide on Government
ownership or not. The majority vii
rule in this matter and / am no
afraid of the decision OF the majority
think we'll OF the American peopl
even though they did return O Repub
lican Congress last election"
By protecting the families OF sol
dlers and sailors against hardship an,
privation the soldiers ard sailors in
surance act, Mr.. McAdoo declared, ha,
contributed no small share towar
the winning OF the war. All told, h
said the Government had write
s3s, 900 900 900 worth OF insurance an
the average policy was $4,000. TIL
plan. he added. would spare the bene
fciaries the humiliatinR necessity q
going to Congress with hat in han
and pleading for charity"
Gained National Spirit.
Tho one great thing that this cour
Try has gained from the war" con
cluded Secretary McAdoo, "ls a we
defined and idealIstic national spIri
and that Is worth all we had TO On
for 1t. We now know the meanin
of the flag and the national anthem"
The associated churches partIcipat
ing in the Jubilee service were III
Church OF the Ascension, Calyar