Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-08-04
DAY-LONG SALUTE
TOLATE PRESIDENT
Army and Navy Guns Beto-
ken Nations Sorrow Over
Harding Death.

On land and at sea. wherever the
national emblem droops sorrowfulIy
at ha!f-mast, the nations guns are
singing Il mournful requiem today
in memory Of their fallen COM
ynander- in chic,
Just as the first gray messengers
OF dawn streaked the eastern sky
from the National Capital to the
farthoSt outpost in the distant
tropics-thirteen guns rang out in
a crashing chorus. 1t was the open
ing note Of the saddest song the
Army and the Navy knows-their
parting tribute to the President of
the United States.
Throughout the day. wherever there
is an American ship or an American
fort or station. lonely gun will be
fired every half hour And when the
sun sinks slowly beyond the western
horizon the guns will bid their chief
godspeed with tremendous cres-
cendo of forty EIGHT pieces, while
every man man in the nations armed
services, from the most decorated
general and admiral to the rawest
recruit. stands rightly at salute.
Mckinley Tribute Recalled.
The last time this sad. day-lonG sa-
lutte was fired was when President
Mckinley died at the hands of an as
sassin, The first thirteen guns are
symbolic Of the thirteen original
Statcs-AmeriCa'S beginning. Slowly
the song continues throughout the
day to keep the soldier and sailor ever in
mind of his dead chief, and the final
chorus at sunset speaks of the forty
eight states over which he ruled.
Over at Fort Meyer the ceremony
was touching. Reveille this morning
called the troopers and artillierymen
to the ensign mast before the COM
mandant's office. Grouped around the
mast in hollow square formation. Of
iccrS and men stood at salute while
the thirteen guns were being fired.
Then slowly the ensign was raised to
half staff.
Death Formally Announced.
battery OF French seventy -fives.
manned by crews that were changed
every two hours, continued the salute.
AT 10 o'clock the entire post was as
scmbled on the parade grounds and
the general order officially informing
the Army of the Presidents death was
read by the commanding officer. Col.
Fl. S. Hawkins. Signed by Dwight F.
Davis. it reads as follows:
1t is the painful duty of the Sec
rotary of War to announce to the
Army the death of Warren Gamaliel
States. which occurred at San Fran
cisco, Calf, at 1880 pm, August 2,
1923
The grief of the nation in the un-
timely death of the President is shar-
ed by the Army of the United States.
in the welfare of which he displayed
at all times a deep interest and solicit
tude. His kindly wisdom and strength
his conscientious devotion to duty and
his loyalty to our national ideals
American citizen. Appropriate flu
neral honors will be paid to the mem
DRY of the late President and Com
mander-in- chief at the headquarters
of every corps area and department.
at every military station and at every
camp of troops of the United States
In the field.
The Vice President of the United
States, Calvin Coolidge. has taken the
oath of office and assumed the duty
Of President, in accordance with the
provisions of the Constitution
Memory HOnored mt Far-OR Points
In far-off Samoa, Hawaii and the
Philippines. throughout the length and
bredth of continental America. this
tribute to the memory of the late Pres
ident Harding was being paid. The
national emblem and the union Jack on
every commissioned ship of the Navy
Will ny at nall mast until after the
funeral. and the same custom will be
followed at the corps headquarters
and posts of the Army.
Special military honors will be paid
the Presidents funeral train as it
passes through stations where regu-
lar troops are quartered on its journey
back to Washington. Corps command
erS have been directed to see that "all
regular troops at stations along the
route be turned out to render appro-
pirate honors." Virtually every large
city has some detachment of soldiers
and sailors.
Action BY Cha plains.
The general committee OF Army and
Navy chaplains of the Federal Council
Of Churches has requested all chap
lains at Army posts. Navy stations and
aboard ship to hold services for the
expression of Sorrow, bereavement
and world loss in the sudden death
of President Harding" Prayers are
to be given that Gods grace may be
abundantly given Mrs. Harding and the
bereaved people of this nation" and
| that strength. wisdom and grace" be
granted the new President for the dis
charge of the responsibilities devolving
upon him.