Evening star., 1926-09-15
KLAN TO ADVOCATE
HANDS-OFF POLICY
BY u. S. IN MEXICO

Continued from First Page)
fully demonstrated by the actions of
the convention today, coupled with
the stormy acclamation given him late
yesterday afternoon when his selec-
ton by the grand dragon to succeed
himself was unanimously approved
by the enthusia site delegates.
r The noisy demonstration followed
a lengthy prOnouncement by DR..
Evans of his program for the ensuing
four years, If elected. The various
State delegations rushed to the plat.
form and carried their national leader
on their shoulders as they marched
about the hall.
Deviating from his prepared ad
dress, MIR. Evans was given another
ovation when he sounded a warning
that IF any European nation lands
an armed force in Mexico, and II the
American Government Is not willing
to act. thank God there are enough
Klansmen in this country to repel the
invaders"
Tribute to Dead Members.
Restraining any note Of bitter
ness. the assembled men and women
delegates to the Klan convention paid
solemn and impressive tribute to
members who had died lin or for the
cause" at a "convocation of sorrow
last night in the Washington Audi
torium.
In the presence of some 1000 mem
bers of the order sitting. unrobed, in
the darkened hall and in the eerie
shadows of two fiery crosses"
studded with crimson lights. white
robed group of Virginia kansmen
performed their weird memorial rites
over silk -draped casket wheeled
onto the platform.
In marked contrast with previ-
GUS sessions of the convention. there
was no sound of applause, no public
evidence of emotion from the vast
throng as the participating officials
voiced their messages or prayers of
sorrow not alone over death from
natural causes during the past year
Of many fellow members, but over
the Sudden. rude" deaths meted out
to a number of others.
Roses for Herrin Victims.
The Herrin riots and the killing of
s. Glen Young in a gun fight were
recalled as the Klansmen spoke OF
those who had Sacrificed their lives
for their country, the victims of enc.
mics of the Klan." A large wreath of
roses was placed at the head of the
bier in memory Of Young and of Her.
rim kla nsmen.
One large cross of red roses was
inscribed in memory of Maj. Ed
Smith imperial representative for the
State Of New York, who died a week
ago
The colorful ceremonies opened
of
the hall to the flag g-draped platform,
participated in by the Virginia klans-
men. led by the State grand dragon.
small cross, with three lighted
candles. was borne at the front
The klansmen, each armed with an
unsheathed sword. formed themselves
quietly into a hollow square around
the coffin, and remained in this for
nation throughout the rites. Several
prayers were offered and a memorial
address was given during the evening.
AS each leader stepped forward to
carry out his part the armed klans-
men swung their swords to attention
Ceremony Lasts Two Hours.
The services were modelled after the
regular Klan funeral rite, which has
been performed in local cemeteries on
a number of occasions. There was a
5-foot electrically lighted cross at
the foot of the casket and tall one,
similarly illuminated against n large
American flag at the rear of the stage.
The first part of the service was
carried out in the light only of the
fiery crosses. but at the conclusion Of
the conyocation the scene was bathed
In a flood OF white light from hat
terry of electric lights overhead. SYM
bolizing, according to one of the
speakers. the perpetuation of the klan
ideals for which the dead Klansmen
stood.
The whole ceremony consumed
more than two hours. during which
the silence was relieved only by the
singing of robed choir and the play
ing of dirges by a klan orchestra.
The tension throughout was marked,
and two persons tainted while the
rites were in progress. One was a
"klavalier" on the platform, who was
quickly carried backstage. and the
other a woman in the balcony.