Evening star., 1940-02-25
Rainbow Veterans
Here May Argue for
Adequate Defense
U. S. Sonk Enough Ships
After Arms Porley to Beot
6ermun Navy, He Says

Chairman Andrew ]. May of the
House Military Affairs COMMITTEES
declared last night that the United
States sank enough warships fol-
lowing the Washington disarma-
ment conference in 1922 ito whip
the German Navy, I believe"
And" the Kentucky Representa-
tive added, Il know we could whip
Russia's-the way the Films are
dealing with them"
Mr.. May made the remark In .
speech urging adequate. national de-
tense before the 18th annual reunion
Of the Rainbow Division chapters
OF veterans in the District, Mary.
land and Virginia at the Ambassa-
dor Hotel.
Declaring that he believed in q
nations carrying a big stick" the
speaker emphasized he thought ade-
quae preparedness was the surest
guarantee of peace.
The drunken man, the violent
man, the man who wants trouble,
never attacks man with two ASS
around his waist, a gun on his
shoulder and a sword at his side"
he went on.
Munitions Sales Help U. S.
He said this country did not need
q large Army but that the force
should be highly mechanical and
highly trained. As for lifting the
arms embargo, Mr.. May said he took
the position that sales of munitions
and other instruments of war to
France and England aided in build
ing UP factories to produce such
supplies and thus indirectly aided
preparedness in this country.
After outlining the steps for de-
veloping the Army. Mr.. May said in
q jocular mood: I'D like to see a
recruiting station set up in the
cloakrooms of the House and see
how many recruits they got"
Besides members of the three
chapters of the division which was
bathed in shellf1re in every major
engagement in which American
forces fought. there we're represent
atives from about nine other States.
This week marks the 22nd ami
versary of the divisions baptism Of
fire on the Lorraine front, and the
District Commissioners set aside the
period as Rainbow Division week"
An elaborate entertainment pro-
gram was provided, with night club
performers dropping in to sing and
play. Many old favorites of the
World War days, notably ITS a
Long, Long Way to Tipperary" and
"Hinkey, Dinkey, Parlez vous" were
joined in by the assembly.
Col johnson Attends.
Col. Monroe johnson, Assistant
Secretary of Commerce. who COM
manded the 117th Engineers in the
division, was among the merry
makers.
Among those present last night
was Meyer Levy of Scarsdale, N. Y.
a runner for Maj. wild Bill" Dono-
van, commander of the Fighting
69th." DR.. Arthur c. Totten was
another from Scarsdale.
Harold B. Rodier, general chair
man Of the Committee on Arrange
ments. presided and Manning Mar
Gus, former national president, in
troduced Representative May. The
Rev. A. A. McCallum, chaplain of
the District chapter. pronounced the
invocation.
The assembly, on an invitation
from Robert Norris of Richmond,
Va, voted to hold next years gath
ering there.
Elmer F. Neagle, national presi-
dent of the division. was present,
as was Representative Anton F.
Maciejewski of Illinois. Among
others who attended were James =.
Witherite, president of the District
chapter; Alan B. Stout of Baltimore,
president of the Maryland chapter;
Sidney P. Chockley. Roanoke, Va,
president of the Virginia chapter,
and Steven Mason, Baltimore, judge
advoeata of the division