Evening star., 1923-07-20
CAPITAL KEYNOTES
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS

It Ia passing strange what an fnfiu-
ence environment has upon the thoughts
Of even the strongest mentality! There
is Gen. Pershing, who "won the war"
that 'the world might be safe for
democracy" and who finds 1t still un-
safe. No sooner does he come near
Gretna than he gets a great idea. as 1t
| reminds him of matrimony for the
brave. None but the brave deserve
the fair he recalls, and he thereupon
avows his intention to go up and down
through the land and give fatherly ad-
vice to all the maidens fair that they
should be careful to select only good.
healthy husbands with war records
none other.
1t was just after visit to Gretna.
Pa. that the general reviewed 5000
soldiers in training at Camp Meade.
After looking them over. he announced
should qualify for marrying girls who.
! If they take his advice, will never be
daughters-in-law to the mothers who
sing Il Didn't Raise My Boy to Be a
Soldier
Gen. Pershing was not merely flatter-
ing the embryo soldiers whom he was
reviewing. He has become obsessed
with the thought that. for the safety of
the nation, il must be built up with
patriots. There is too much maudlin
pacifism in the air, according to his
view. It does not follow that he was
recommending Gretna Green marriages,
but the name of the town must have
brought the subject to mind.
&* :.
The generals message to the maidens
of today. TO marry only men with war
records. while encouraging TO the vet
Grams of the world war--a sort of ad-
justed compensation. maybe-must come
like n dull thud to the youngsters now
In training camp. When will come their
turn. since there must be million or
two OF the veterans yet candidates for
Gretna Green, or some other kind Of
matrimony? Are there enough hero
loving girls TO go round? VIII they in
clude potential heroes. as well as vet
Grams who have the generals outspoken
backing? The crisis is before them.
The new preacher of Gretna Green
may have reasons as plentiful as black
berries" for recommending the heroes
of trench and airplane. and those who
waited" Who will rise up on behalf of
the potential saviors Of a future
democracy?
The poet Quarles tells US:
Our God and soldier we alike adore.
When at the brink Of ruin, not before,
After deliv rance. both alike requited.
God is forgotten and our soldier slighted.
= X =
- the general has laid out for HIM
self great campaign; millions wish
him success when he goes over the
top for the boys.
| There is q reserve ready to aid. wher-
ever most needed-and perhaps this Will
be the hope of the potential heroes. 1t
| is commanded by Mrs. Frances Bowes
Sayre. daughter of former President
Woodrow Wilson. She says:
Marriage has become so popular, the
idea of living a single life is so distaste-
! full TO the average woman. that she
rushes into marriage without the one
great reason for marriage. and then
| tries to rush as hastily out again. /
think one reason for so many divorces
is marrying without love-
). x x y
The new senator from the North Star
state, successor of the ever dignified
Knute Nelson, deceased. was trained in
Sweden as a glass blower. That gave
him lungs like a blacksmith's bellows.
IL il ever comes to organizing sena-