Evening star., 1932-07-29

were married III 6OSIOn III ISUo'
officers to deploy the Infantry rather
than the Cavalry.
The wind was unfavorable Tor gas
attack on the camp proper, but II was
planned to use it nevertheless.
The soldiers would have to go into
the wind and therefore into the tear
gas.
Apparently Gen. Miles understood the
courier to state that all were leaving
the camp. but those who heard the
conversation reached the conclusion he
was presenting a message in behalf OF
Comdr. Atwell asking favorS only Tor
the women and children.
Gen. Macarthur sent a message to
the commander of the camp that he
had been ordered to evacuate it and
that he had found it substantially
evacuated
He sent word however. that he
would give those remaining ample
time in which to leave.
Cavalry EncircIes Camp.
Meanwhile. the Cavalry surrounded
the camp in a great Semi-circle, the
horses and their riders standing SOM
DeIly III LLle udIh awaiting AuA IicA vi
ders.
It was Atwell's understanding. after
talk with Macarthur, that full hour
was to be allowed for peaceful evacua-
tion-and it remained for developments
to show just what would happen.
1t was clear that the troops were on
the alert, in case of attack on them.
The great body OF spectators we're
pushed safely backward a half mile
from the camp by tear gas bombs, and
policemen held them back.
Atwell had walked out onto the
broad parade ground of the camp wav-
ing his shirt as a flag of truce to meet
Gen Macarthur.
Returning alone, Just as he set out,
Atwell told his men in tense voice:
They gave us one hour"
He also told the men gathered about
him as he returned that there was a
group of the veterans gathered at the
rear Of the camp Who wanted to light,
Evacuation Try Abandoned.
As the word spread a number of the
veterans hurriedly left the camp ano
went to Camp Bartlett, several blocks
away.
A second fire broke out in the north
end of the camp as Gen. Macarthur
suddenly announced that the troops
would remain there, but that efforts tc
evacuate the veterans would be post
poned until morning. Meanwhile more
fires broke out, apparently set by the
veterans and complete destruction OF
the camp appeared imminent
Before leaving Anacostia for the
night, Gen. Macarthur made a tlnal
inspection Of the troops.
The Army chief then returned to
Washington and. joined by Secretary
Hurley of the War Department, called
on President Hoover at the White
House to report on the situation.
Macarthur and Hurley then went across
the street to the War Department for a
final conference about plans for to-
day.
"Shock Troops Form Up.
The whole camp was a mass Of flames
by II o'clock as the bonus marchers set
their shacks. huts and lean-tos af1re.
The shock trOcps'-those who were
determined to stick it out and fight the
troops If necessary-Were maSSed at the
southwest end Of the huge AnacoStia
Park as the flames roared through the
camp.
Although hundreds of men. women
hundreds of others, armed with sticks,
lead pipes. clubs and some with guns
stuck to the camp, eager to fight for
their rights"
The flames leaped high into the air
and could be seen for many miles
around. The men were cautioned by
their comrades not to set fire to Ma
tional Guard tents for which Police
Chiof Clio ri ic Cn=nOnci'flp
Gen. ClasSiCrd is cur pal-dOn't
ruin his tents" M. P's shouted to the
veterans.
The great camp was destroyed last
night almust to the last shelter.
After tie troopers began applying
torches, the veterans caught the idea
and set fire to their own shacks. Twist
ing tongnes of flame rose to a dense
pail of black smoke. Under It, sharply
etched against the flame glare, the SOL
diers advanced, the veterans retreated
HuTriedly, some time before, women
and children had been moved out while
Gen. Miles held up the attack.
The Infantry went ahead with bayo-
nets fixed, throwing tear bombs in place
of hand grenadeS. The Cavalry came
in at the charge, troopers using the
fiat of their SaberS when necessary, but
mostly relying on their mounts to scat
ter the veterans. Tanks we're deployed
and machine gun units were in position,
but the unarmed enemy" force did not
require use of the deadlier weapons.
Grouped about an American flag at
the edge of the camp some hundreds
made a picturesque. sullen stand. The
Pickering flames danced on line Of
polished bayonetS. advancing. The men
retreated slowly, of the plain of their
back into the small town
of Anacostia.
Hundreds of Washingtonians crowded
about. got more than one whif of tear
gas while taking in the spectacle of
lifetime.
The women of the B. E. F., scores Of
them, with their children. sought new
shelter. Some were hurried of to the
Salvation Army quarters and charitable
homes. One mother made a heart
tugging spectacle as she laid her small
brood of three to sleep on a hard pave
ment. They slumbered soundly.
Men wandered about with blankets
and odd belongings rescued from the
flames, seeking any place to put them
down. Everywhere was the penetrating
smell of burning cloth from tents and
unsalvaged beddings.
Ambulances clung to the edge of the
conflict and carried off men with bat
tered heads, with eyes streaming from
doses of the tear gas, and
with all the other injuries that in
evitably accompany civil disorder and
It's suppression.