The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
munities. It is a ne wobligation on

] 1 of the World war, common sense and
 experience has shown us the value of | preparedness. With the regulars, na- | tional guard and reserves of all kinds | trained as they are now being | trained, we will have the officers i that will be needed. These men, vet l erans and youths coming to manhood l will furnish the first line of defense 1 in time of trouble, and behind that | line the nations forces can be forme ed. | Had you been with me yesterday l at Camp Mcclellan you would have | seen a great and inspiring sight l thousands of citizens who have given 1 time from their civilian activities 1 earnestly and efficiently developing l themselves into men capable of intel | ligeutly defending their country should the need arise. You might have been surprised, to, to get the attitude of these men, hear their ap- proval of what was assigned them to l do, their earnestness and business like methods in carrying forward the work in hand, All ranks expressed it. asked them. Generals, privates all realized what they were doing and why, and realized the personal bene- fits they were getting.
 Alabama CO-Operating
 The war department sent a special team of instructors to Camp Me- IedVGnWOrth lstruct reserve officers national guard Men of that team reported to me that nowhere they have been have they received the cooperation and earnest support of the men they were work ing with as in Camp Mcclellan, ana ! that these guardsmen and reserves were superior to any ether material they had worked with. These guards men and reserves realize their new obligations. It will be their duty in i turn to train others. I want the of ficers of the reserve corps to begin thinking in and of units, not indi- Viduals. A year from now 1t is plan ned to give them an opportunity to 1 snow their metal in mobilization. want them to think of that mobiliza- tion now. to develop their thought of the numbers they will serve with It will be a great opportunity.
 It has been said that this training now being done leads to militarism. Nothing could be further from the fact. It would be impossible for this land of ours ever to develop a spirit of militarism. It's life and traditions do not point that way. Militarism can develop under monarchial form Of government, not In a democracy. Nothing could be more absurd than the idea that training boys in dis cipNne, mutual consideration, soldier ly bearing and army life could lead to 1nilitarism.
 "None of our wars were ever of our own seeking. Ready to defend our land, yes, but we have never brought on an offensive war ourselves We seek no territory, no control of other nations. But we are ready and will Ing, and should be, to take the de- tensiYe against any and all aggres- sion.
 You reserve officers present here tonight this planning and prepara- tiGn for defense has been undertake and your group Is looked upon to give the needed instruction in time or need. To your preparedness and skill we are looking and will con tinue to look. It is you who will show our people what is being and has been done.
 Live Wire Interesr.
 Our economic plans Is like that of the Swiss, only service is not compulsory. I ask you all not for complaisant interest, but active in- terest, live wire interest. The help and cooperation of all interested, i'm tense, is needed, so that we may bring about the ends needed. with your encouragement.
 1T ask that men interested in the national guard, and the reserve forces be given the support of their employers that their places and pro- motions be held for them while they are in training. that they be not discharged and denoted for prepar- ing themselves as bulwark between our land and any aggression that may be brought against it. Those who are serving are faithfully full filling 9 deep obligation.
 Tt is not necessary for me to go further. You have the wish and the will to do your part. I will leave Alabama with the feeling of comfort part but that it is fulfilling it's high duty, taking the leadership"
 As the band made the air ring with the Marsellaise, all rose to their feet, and when the music changed to Dixie" the cheering started. But long after the music had ceased the cheers continued. an ovation to the general.
 Gold Card Presented.
 When the noise had subsided Dr. Oscar DeWolf Randolph, on behalf of Birmin gham post, No. l, American Legion, presented General Pershing with a gold card, a life membership in the Birmingham post.
 For the first time during the eve ming General Pershing lost his boise. his jaw muscles frightened and he was silent some moments before he said:
 If anything at all could have added more to the genuine pleasure of my visit to Birmingham, could have made stronger the fellowship l feel for Birmingham, it is just this one little touch"
 At Speakers Table.
 Seated at the speakers table at the
 banquet table were General Pershing,
 Senator Underwood, Governor Bran
 don, Congressman Lamar Jeffers' Congressman elect J. Lister Hill,
 Major Monte Ullman, Arthur Green
 wood, commander of Birmingham post No. 1, American Legion, Col. G. | tG. Reiniger of the general staff and
 Major George c. Marshall. aide to the general. Major Dixon presided. Reminiscent of early war days was the scene in the ballroom, dotted here and there rather thickly with uniforms, the Sam Browne belts be- ing the only jarring note in the com parison. Flags were hung around the balconies. Prominent citizens,of state and city were grouped at the tables Colonel Reiniger, the first speaker, predicted that many of the reserve officers present would be called upon to serve in another war before being physically disqualified. Twelve per
 cent of the general staff is now made
 up of reserve officers taken from the national guard. reserve officers
 corps and the other reserve forces he declared.
 "Already more than one-fourth of
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