The New York herald., 1922-11-02
Two Minutes Silence.
Plans for the Worldwide Celebration
of Armistice Day.

To THE NEW York HERALD: The best
way to honor the dead in the great
war is TO emphasize the duty of the liv-
ing to keep the peace and to help to
promote a worldwide atmosphere OF
peace. This can be done by the annual
Simultaneous and universal observance
of Armistice Day by the two minutes
silence, plan involving little organiza-
ton, practically no expense; it is being
indorsed by all countries and many
creeds.
beginning was made In 1919 when
the two minutes silence was soiemniy
and beautifully observed in Great Brit
ain, also in every British dominion and
on every vessel flying the white ensign.
Last year Armistice Day was similarly
observed throughout the United States
when Americas Unknown Soldier, SYM
boil of the nations dead, was buried in
Arlington Cemetery with honors worthy
of the greatest of captains. Representa-
tives OF the allied peoples stood side by
side with General Pershing to pay hon.
age to the man from the ranks and the
vast army of citizen warriors he typi-
In spirit when President Harding deliv-
cred his noble speech to war worn
world.
The idea OF commemorating the sac
rihce OF the dead in the great war and
emphasizing the duty OF the living TO
preserve the peace by the annual sinful
taneous and universal observance, OF
Armistice Day by the two minutes s.
lence is largely American IL was born
OH the American steamship Eten In lon
gitude Is degrees 80 minutes west, lati-
tude so degrees IS minutes north. upon
November II. 1919. during voyage
from Liverposi TO New York The Eten
was formerly German liner In the
South American trade and was icased
by the Shipping Board to the Inter-
national Mercantile Marine Company a..
a time when the Atlantic passenger
trade was somewhat congested.
To secure the object In view the pas
scngers of the Eten, representing many
countries, held a meeting and decided
to form the League of Remembrance.
with headquarters in America. partly
because this country is the halfway
west, partly because It's citizenship is
derived from so many countries and
partly because II was thought American
ideaiism, enterprise and resourcefulncss
would give strength to the organization
;lt home and abroad.
II was ny privilege to be elceted
chairman of the Eten committee in 1919,
and your readers will be glad TO learn
that steps are being taken to place the
League of Remembrance on q sound
foundation. An international commit
tee is being formed, and upon the Amer
lean branch some of the best known
and honored men in the country have
consented TO serve.
The work of the league Is to ostab-
lsh relations with all countries In the
effort to celebrate Armistce Day annu-
ally on land and sea.
II is the hope and belief of the league
that the celebration will grow annually
until 1t shall be truly worldwide and
the sun for one day In the year at least
shall shine in blessing on continent and
farfiung ocean island and ship at sea-
wherever men and women shall have
foregathered to honor the dead and
pledge themselves TO work for the
worlds peace, thus establishing with
golden links of two minutes of silence a
globe encircling chain of twenty-four
hours. PERCY s. BuLLEN,
66 Broadway.
NEW YoRK, November /.