Evening star., 1941-05-26
u. ). in Critical Peril,
Cox Tells 5000 al
Cathedral Service
Bishop Freeman Calls
For Awakened People,
At Messing Of CoIors

For Awakened People
At Messing Of CoIors
A warning to America to awaken
to the dangers which confront her
and to preserve her Christian prin-
ciples was sounded by two speakers
at the annual massing of the colors
service at Washington Cathedral
emphitheater yesterday afternoon.
I'VE must either throw our
strength to the cause of mans free
dom or, by withholding it, aid the
cause of mans enslavement," de-
clared Brig. Gen. Albert L.. Cox,
District director of selective service.
I'VE Americans desire no part Of
any kind of appeasement and are
fully determined to preserve the
Christian. the democratic, the
American way of life
Later, in indorsing this statement,
the Right Rev. James E. Freeman,
Bishop of Washington, warned the
Nation that it must keep up the
moral and spiritual, as we'll as the
military strength of its Army.
5000 Fill Arena.
An estimated 5000 persons
gathered in the late afternoon sun
in the hillside arena to pay tribute
to the war dead in this annual
service. Scarcely half of the num-
Der who attended could be seated.
1t was an occasion that reached
its maximum Solemnity when the
slow notes of taps rose softly out
of the bowl of the amphitheater.
Prayers were said for the President
of the United States and all in civil
authority. for the country and for
the family of nations.
Speaking soon afterward, Gen.
Cox said that there has never been
a time such as now when the
responsibilities and the obligations
of American citizenship have rested
so heavily upon the individual
citizen.
While our inspiration may be in
the struggles and in the sacrifices
and in the victories Of yesterday. it
is our stamina and our patriotism
that will be tested in the fires of
today and tomorrow. This is no
time for softness and for COM
placency. The fate of France points
out that the terrible price of ma
tional disunitv may be the loss of
national freedom. The hope of
the world lies in the workability of
our institutions of representative
government"
Critical Stage Reached.
The general declared that the sit
uation confronting this country and
every American citizen has passed
the serious state and has become
critical
The time has passed" he added,
when days count, and now we
should reckon in hours And each
passing hour that leaves unacom-
plished some worthwhile undertak-
ing for the security of our Govern
ment means irreparable loss and a
closer approach to the condition
which has overpowered the formerly
free nations of the continent of
Europe and with which the British
Isles now stand face to face"
In indorsing the principal. speak
er's words, Bishop Freeman, who in
troduced him, told the assembly that
they were meeting at a time dif-
ferent from any in American history
He reminded his listeners that
10000 men are centered in train
ing camps of the Nation and said
1T Is the responsibility Of the public
to keep up the morale of these SOL
diers.
America must wake up to the fact
that she has an army in the field"
he said. While we think of the
honored dead, let us think also of
our honored living The security Of
this Nation is not in its armed forces
alone. We need an aroused and an
awakened people"
Cites Fate of France.
He read an editorial from French
newspaper to show that that nation
had fallen because her morale had
broken.
America is taking the situation
sitting down" Bishop Freeman con-
cluded. 1T is unbecoming of the
church to advocate war, but I would
say to you: Look to it that all the
decencies of this life are maintained.
Take your Christian religion as you
have never taken it before, else the
fate Of France will be the fate of
America"
More than 100 patriotic, civic and
religious organizations took part in
the ceremony, sponsored by the Mil
itary Order of the World War and
the Washington Cathedral. The
program began at 3:55 pm. with a
procession of men, women and chill
dren in uniform bearing flags and
banners of many sizes and colors. A
number of bands were included in
the line.
Prior to the opening of the service
the United States Marine Band gave
concert unded the direction of
Capt. William F. Santelmann, leader.