Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-05
Peace and Pageantry.

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military character. The first grand
division Of the parade which escorted
the new President from the Capitol,
where he took the oath, to the White
House, where he assumed his new duties,
was composed of representative units OF
the Army, the Navy, the Coast Guard,
the National Guard, the Naval Reserve
and the Officers Reserve Corps. The
escorts Of many Of the governors Of the
States in attendance were similarly rep
resentatives Of State troops. Likewise In
the second grand division were repre-
sentatives Of military colleges and
schools and of organizations of veterans
Of the wars in which the United States
has been engaged. In addition to these
units marching in the line two "air
divisions" represented the aviation serv-
ices of the Army and the Navy. The
civilian marching clubs, forming an i'm
pressive and attractive feature Of the
parade, are organized upon military
lines.
But notwithstanding this display OF
actual and potential fighting force the
pageantry Of the inauguration did not
strike a militant note. No fore'yn ma
ton will have any reason to regard the
parade here at the seat of the Ameri-
can Government as in the least degree
sign Of truculent spirit on the part OF
the United States. The great majority
Of those marching in the line, however
uniformed, were civilians, who today
have dotted the garb of possible military
service and returned to the works of in
dustry and trade, to the professions and
other peaceful activities of life. Most of
the men who marched as members of
the organized forces Of the Government,
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard
and those of the aviation services who
furnished flying escort, will in short
time, one, two, three or four years, re-
turn to civil life.
1t is not the policy of this Govern
ment, as it is not the desire Of the peo-
pie Of this country. to maintain large
forces of fighting men, in numbers to
constitute menace to the peace Of the
world. 1t is, however. the policy to keep
the man power Of the country fit and
prepared for possible service in defense.
Preparedness is both of the spirit and of
the body. The lessons of recent wars in
which the United States has been en-
gagged are plain to all who are capable
Of reading correctly the pages Of his
tory. Terrible suffering and shameful
losses have resulted from unreadiness,
from the lack Of proper basic Or
ganization Of the Nation for emergency
service.
Whether those lessons have been
definitely learned cannot at this time
be known. A certain reaction against
all forms Of military service took place
after the armistice Of 1918. How far it
has gone is not to be determined until
occasion arises to meet a new crisis, If
such should ever arise. But those who
know the need, who were charged with
the responsibility Of organizing and
drilling and equipping national army
twelve years ago this Spring, are anxious
lest 1t may prove in the next emer-
gency to be deep and persistent.
There is nothing to fear from "well
regulated militia" or from a body of
citizen soldiery chiefly interested in the
pursuits Of peace. There is no factor
for breach Of the peace in a potential
Army Of ten million men, so trained as
to become a competent fighting force
Immediately upon the call to arms. Even
as the maintenance Of a strong Navy,
such as that which has just been voted
by the Congress, is an insurance for
peace, so the maintenance Of q civilian
land and air reserve, in adequate num-
bers, Is guarantee against assault.