“KHAKI SHIRTS”

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1932, Page 7

“KHAKI SHIRTS”

FASCIST4JKE PLAN IN U.S. VETERANS MAY RE-ORGANISE WORKLESS MALCONTENTS TRANSFER FROM .CAPITAL POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Washington, July 29. Confident that order has been restored, the cavalry which aided in evicting the “bonus” army from Government property has returned, to headquarters. As disorganised units of the ex-sol-diers staggered out Of Washington today their erstwhile commander, Mr. Walter Waters, issued a militant appeal to all unemployed as well as veterans to join a “Khaki Shirt” movement with the avowed purpose to “clean out the high places of the Government,” apparently meaning President Hoover. Mr. Waters insisted that he would act Strictly in accordance with American principles, that is by the ballot box. It is obvious, however, that the Fascistlike nature of the movement, although yet undeveloped, is causing some concern nt Washington. On an understanding that the Mayor of Johnstown (Pennsylvania) previously invited the bonus army to establish its headquarters there 1000 veterans are on route to Johnstown, where Mr. Waters expects to start the organisation of Khaki Shirts. Later the Mayor said, he invited only the leaders. Several truck-loads of veterans have arrived, however, with indications that 1000 more will arrive in a few days. This probably will create another police problem. Relief for the evicted women and children at Washington is presenting a serious problem. It was first announced the Red Cross would send them to their homes, but this was later denied. Meanwhile private charity is providing the children with the best possible. Some have left with the veterans for Johnstown. CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT.

Repercussions of yesterday’s hostilities were quick to materialise. President Hoover in a statement defended the calling of the troops. A canvass of the few Congressmen in the city revealed a general opinion that the movement was an untimely one. Senator Black (Alabama) severely criticised the President, particularly for the night operations against women and children. He hinted at Congressional investigation. The New. York Times understands Mr. Hoover desired to suspend operations early in the evening, but General Douglas Macarthur (U.S. Chief of Staff) and Colonel Patrick Hurley (Secretary of War) persuaded him to allow the plan of campaign to be continued. Liberal elements throughout the nation have issued strong protests. The Communist organisation in New York has scheduled several demonstrations. Veterans’ associations, including the American Legion of Veterans of Foreign Wars, are apparently of divided opinion. Mr. Waters in a statement denounced “the monied interests of Wall Street” and called for universal support for a movement to “return the Government to the masses.” The possibility of unemployed malcontents’ forming an organisation for political or perhaps even direct action has been voiced in va-rious quarters for some time, but Mr. Waters’ declaration is the most definite manifestation of such a movement yet heard. ■ ROUT FROM WASHINGTON VETERANS’ SHACKS DESTROYED. “CHALLENGE TO AUTHORITY.” Rec 5.5 p.m. Washington, July 29. The Use of troops (cavalry and infantry), tanks and machine-gun corps was ordered yesterday by President Hoover after police efforts to carry out the demand for the immediate evacuation of Federal property had precipitated a riot. When the District of Columbia turned to White House the President summoned the Cabinet aides and an order went forth bringing in from Fort Mayor (Virginia) 300 cavalrymen and 350 infantrymen, who assembled near White House and then marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to the first of the bonus army camps almost in the shadow of the Capitol.

After a pause to give the veterans a chance to move out peaceably, the khaki line, steelhelmeted and in full battle equipment, moved forward with tear-gas bombs and fixed bayonets. Cavalry with drawn sabres pressed the charge home. The job was quickly done, despite resistance. The troops moved on and cleared two other camps in the city and then the one at Anaeostia, six miles from down-town Washington. The withering combination of flames and tear-gas left the leaderless veterans demoralised and without shelter. They spent the night in the open fields and parks, and many started for home.

ARRESTS OF RADICALS.

Wholesale arrests of Radicals who have been active with the bonus army took place this afternoon under instructions from President Hoover that the local authorities should at once find the instigators of the attack on the police yesterday which led to the killing of a veteran.

On leaving a meeting in an abandoned church at the corner of Fifth and Victoria Avenues, where the Communistic wing of the bonus army had been billeted, more than 30 were arrested. In addition 70 were lined up, two abreast, along the sidewalks. It appeared that the police had planned to march these across the District of Columbia border line. Those arrested were held for investigation by. the immigration officials. Troops hurled tear-gas bombs and set the shacks of the bonus army afire in the vicinity of the Capitol again this afternoon at the time when President Hoover, at White House, was serving an emphatic notice that the Government could not be coerced by mob rule. The President said he considered the disturbance yesterday was a challenge to the authority of the United States Government, a challenge that had been met swiftly and firmly. As the President read his statement cavalrymen who had returned from Pennsylvania Avenue clashed with a group of veterans gathered around a baseball diamond, The troopers charged,

scattering them; some ran off and climbed trees, and one plunged headlong through the open window of a passing automobile as he ran. After the cavalry halted, infantry swept the street with gas bombs. There was no resistance except that some refused to move until tear-gas was used. Cavalry kept the streets clear of spectators as the great roll of smoke poured out of the block of veterans’ shacks into nearby residences. A strong wind, fanned the flames and the shacks burned fiercely. As mute evidence of the struggle, which has no identical parallel in this country, four scarred areas mark the once populous encampments of the bonus expeditionary forces. The veteran killed in yesterday’s clash has been identified as William Huska, of Chicago. Scores are nursing injuries. The troops remained in command throughout the night. The veterans were driven both by tear-gas and by flaming torches applied to tneir crude shelters and, clustered in small groups, they were- headed from the city. They are reported to be seeking to organise elsewhere. Mr. Walter Waters, Portland (Oregon), commander-in-chief of the bonus army, was not at Anacostia when it was emptied and burned. It is reported that he had left, telling some of his followers to meet him in Johnstown. Earlier he issued a statement, saying: ‘No matter what may happen, from now on the bonus expeditionary force will carry on. We hav«; gone too far to quit”