The Dolores star., 1924-10-31

al the Marine Corps league, November TO- and the
sixth anniversary of the signing of the Armstice,
november II. There will he considerable at
tendance In addition to the delegates. as Maj Gen.
John A Lejeune, national commandant of the
league and cOmmandant of the Marine Corps. has
extended in his official call invitation to those
VINO at some time may have the Globe
Anchor and Eagle" The Armistce day program
includes parade and visit to the national shrine
where lies the Unknown Soldier" in the National
cemetery at Arlington.
The history of the United States Marine Corps
Is briefly this: November 10, 1873, the Second Con
tnentai congress, actual hostilites of the Revolu-
ton having been begun, called for good seamen
so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able
10 serve to advantage by sea when required" The
Marine Corps was formally established June 25
i77G, with major, Samuel Nichols in command
1t served through the Revolution. and then dSap-
peared. together with the navy. In l79S when the
navy was reorganized, the Marine Corps was
established with SSl officers and men. That was
also the year the War department was organized.
So the Marine Corps is older than either the army
navy
And the Marine Band is of course n national in
Sutution 1t began with the Marine Corps-as a
drum and fife corps In 1906 the Marines a
United States frigate kidnapped some Italian musi-
clans from port near Naples. Sharp diplomatic
correspondence resulted in an order for the return
of the Italians but they chose to stay with the
Marines. Nowadays "The Presidents Own" is
the official band of the American government
and world famous.
The Marine Corps grew in Importance and
strength the years went by. In 1902, for ex-
ample. the Corps numbered 1919 officers and G,OOO
enlisted men, with brigadier general in
mand. When we entered the World war the
strength 377 officers ard 9,9i7 men. By 1918
the Marines had been increased to 3.017 officers
and 5000 men. The Corps now has l 093 officers
and 81 400 enlisted men.
The Marines of the ordinary in many
ways. For thing, they don't really belong to
ttsnrf fhn f,,y Tbnyn nntin innIt
independent defense unit. though they
der the nominal direction of the secretary of the
navy in time Of peace and of the secretary of war
In time of war. "Send for the Marines !" is cry
that often goes up from Americans endangered by
hostilities in some foreign land. And the Marines
ran land and do their protection act without their
presence being tantamount to n declaration of war
against that nation. Usually they manage to get
along without a fight for they have established
reputation for diplomacy in difficult situations
almost equal their efficiency in actual hostilites
Anyway. the stereotyped message that quickly
gets back to Washington is the word-famOus, '"Thc
Marines have landed and have the situation well
in hand"
he Uncle Sans "Handy Man" in times of peace
There seems to be nothing 1t cannot do and it
appears to be doing little of everything. Right
now, for example, there are Marines in China and
In Honduras for the protection of Americans and
American interests. They about finishing their
withdrawal from Santo Domingo after rehab
tating that republic, and still in Haiti on the
same kind of job. In Philadelphia, which borrowed
him for the purpose. is Brig. Gen. Smedley d.
Butler of the Marines, trying to "Butlerize" the
City of Brotherly Love. which nowadays Is in sad
need of rehabilitation. And what do you suppose
the Marines doing in Guam-why, nothing less
shan leading parties Of natives in determined at