Evening star., 1933-05-31
PRESIDENT IGNORES.
RAIN AT ARLINGTON
Peace Is Keynote of Speeches
by Secretaries Dern
and Swanson.

With the United States exerting all
its efforts to promote peace and
friendlier relations throughout the
world, a deeper significance was given
to the Nations tribute to it's soldier
dead at Memorial day exercises in Ar
lington National Cemetery. attended
yesterday by President Roosevelt and
members of his official family.
The President did not make an ad-
dress, but his Secretaries of War and
Navy. George H. Dern and Claude A.
Swanson, spoke for him in dedicating
the government to the cause of peace.
Unmindful of a driving rain, the
President stood with barred head as
thousands within the white marble
amphitheater joined silently in a pray
er that expressed their own hopes for
lasting peace. Close by was the Tomb
Of the Unknown Soldier, its marble
slab strangely streaked with red, from
the dye of rain-soaked poppies.
Honor Victims of Akron.
Accompanied by Mrs. Roosevelt, the
President remained throughout the
service. En- route back to the White
House the party stopped On the Arling-
ton Memorial Bridge to witness another
service dedicated to the men who lost
their lives aboard the dirigible Akron.
The President suffered no Ill effects
from his exposure to the rain.
Most Of the seats in the Amphitheater
at Arlington were empty. but about 5000
persons clustered under shelter of the
colonnade to hear addresses by Secre-
taries Dern and Swanson. The War
Secretary paid homage to the heroes
who fell in past wars and added:
we are emerging from an economic
hHlnFanSf tItf
dred times the hardship and sufferings
that Americans endured during the
World War. A glorious epic will be
written Of the courage, the fortitude
and the faith Of our people In these
terrifying times.
They have been good soldiers fight
ing to save our civilization. They, too
have earned our praise and confidence.
Let us reward them not only with our
applause but by removing the injustices
that have brought on their distress.
Sees Challenge in Times.
'Let us, In this heroic mold, grap-
pie with the problems that are before
us. The times are challenge to our
fearless leadership. Hope is overcom-
ing fear.
"Shall we in America, on this day
dedicate ourselves to the task of ac-
complishing the purposes of that
leadership? 1t remains for you, my
countrymen, by your lives and conduct,
to give the answer"
Secretary Swanson compared the
Akron tragedy to "other disasters which
have marked all progress, in every field
Of human endeavor."
1.-THE pioneering risk has always been
great" he said, land must continue so.
Yet 1t is a necessary risk in the interest
Of an advance otherwise impossible.
Praises Mems Sacrifice.
"In our sorrow over the loss of these
dear comrades Of the Akron, in our
deep regrets at losing their valuable
services to the national defense, let us
remember their great and brave con-
tribution to human progress, to the de-
velopment of aeronautical and naval
science, and to the security OF our
country and its vital interests"
Departmental Comdr. John H. Shep-
herd of the Grand Army Of the Re-
public opened the exercises with a
brief address. He referred to former
crises in European and American his
tory and said:
To-day we have another great leader
on whom millions of hearts have CEN
tered their hopes of worlds redemp-
ton"
He paid a glowing tribute to the
President in marshaling the forces of
the country to recover itself from the
depression. THAT trumpet will never
sound retreat" he said.
Comdr. Shepherd introduced James
g. Yaden, president of the G. A. R.
Memorial Day Corporation, who pre-
sided. Incorporated in this body are
the various veterans organizations of
the District who had charge Of the
exercises.
President Leaves Wreaths.
President Roosevelt left five wreaths
at Arlington, one of which was placed
by his military aide on the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier. Another wreath
had been sent to Mount Vernon to be
placed on the tomb of George Wash
1ngton.
One other occurrence at Arlington
was noteworthy in its significance. A
group of young people who believe that
''war does not settle disputes" placed
one of the first wleaths on the Tomb OF
the Unknown Soldier. The Washing
ton Youth Peace Council stood through
out the morning in half-hour watches
near the tomb. Each person partici-
pating in the service wore white
ribbon lettered with the single word
peace" A spokesman for the group