The Washington herald., 1921-10-03
HARDING REVIEWS
MARINES AS SHAM
BATTLE IS ENDED
Following Religious Serv'
ice, Presidential Party
Leaves for d. c.
BY ], HAROLD KEEN.

BY J. HAROLD KEEN.
FIELD HEADQUARTERS, CAMP
HARDING. WILDERNESS RUN.
Va. Oct. Except for the striking
OF tents tomorrow morning, Will
'derness Run which until today
outdid the action and din of the
civil war encounters in this vicin-
ity as the East Coast Expeditionary
Force of the United States Marines
fought a realistic sham battle dur
ing their fall maneuvers-was again
a place of peace and calm.
In the fields where troops
charged, rifles cracked, machine
guns spat and heavy artillery
roared from Wednesday until Sat
urday-these activities today CIV
ing way to religious observance and
a review of the expeditionary force
by the President-tillers of the soil
prepared for next years crops and
cattle grazed' undisturbed.
DuriN; the afternoon a review
of the t>oops and equipment of the
exPeditionary force was held by
Gen. James G. Harbord, chief to
Gen. Pershing, who commanded the
Marine brigade at Belleau Wood
and who only arrived In camp a,
noon.
Presidential Party Leaves at Noon
After attending the military re-
lIgious observances and reviewing
the field troops from a knoll mid
way the headquarters of Gen
Warren and Gen. Grant during the
civil war, President Harding, ac-
companied by Mrs. Harding. Maj
Gen. John A. Lejeune. Secretary OF
Navy DENLY and Secretary OF Agri-
culture Wallace, left the camp at
noon for a return motor trip to
Washington.
Shortly after the departure Of the
nations Chief Executive, the host
Of guests. including government Of
ficials. Senators, representatives
prominent military authorities and
State officials began an exodus with
the result that evening found only
handful of civilians within the
bounds of the camp.
Brig. Gen. Charles Sawyer, Secre-
tary George B. Christian, jr, Assis-
| tant Secretary of Navy Theodore
Roosevelt and Admiral Moffett de-
parted for Washington by way OF
airplane shortly after noon.
President Speaks From Truck.
At the conclusion of the religion,
services conducted by Lieut.. Col
Edward B. River, post chaplain
President Harding stepped upor
the large motor truck which served
as a pulpit, and in a brief address
informed - the 1000 troopers whc
lined the natural amphitheater tina
he had benefited by his stay in tn,
camp and was heartily in favor o
the Marine tactics.
"Officers and men of the Marines
Gen. Butler has asked me to stant
before you a moment mainly tina
we should be better acquainted be
cause il is our lot to serve the gov
ernment, and 1 have only taken tn
| platform to say how much l hav
been inspired this morning b,
meeting in worship with you an,
| listening to the inspiriting ant
comforting words of the chaplain
and to say in addition to that hoy
very greatly l have enjoyed beinl
in camp with you," said Presiden
Harding.
II shall not exagerate a singl
word when l say to you that from
my boyhood to the present hour
have always had a very profoun,
regard for the U. s. Marines and
am leaving camp today with m
regard strengthening and a genuin
affection added. No commander-in
chief in the world can have create
pride in and more affection for al
arm OF national defense than hav
come to have for you in this NOR
intimate contact.
Gentlemen, my pleasure is gen
uine that l could be one of you Il
this splendid camp on historical
American ground"
Join I'm Hymn Singing.
During the service President an
Mrs. Harding Joined the assemble
Marines in the rendition of severa
hymns. and both petted a stray do
which walked past the Presidentia
party preceding the services.
The President and Mrs. HardinI
arose at $40 o'clock and partook o
breakfast at the officers mess tent
AS they were leaving the canvas
| White House both the President an,
Mrs. Harding thanked the colore
mammies who acted as maids dur
ing their stay. and explained tha
sleeping in this specially, con
structed tent did not have any o
the atmosphere of camping. Mrs
Harding told one of the maids tha
she had expected to wash in a tir
basin instead of the enameled bath
ing facilities which had been pro
vided.
Marines Pass I'm Review.
At the conclusion of the religion
services. the Presidential party wa
taken to the reviewing stand Il
motor cars, where the troops an,
equipment, were passed before tn