DEFEAT OF BONUS ARMY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19249, 1 August 1932, Page 7

DEFEAT OF BONUS ARMY

MILITANT APPEAL BY LEADER

FASCIST MOVEMENT WELL SUPPORTED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 31, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 29. As the disorganised units of the Bonus Army staggered out of Washington to-day. the erstwhile commander Walter Waters, issued a militant appeal to all unemployed, as well as the veterans to join the “Khaki Shirt” movement, with the avowed purpose of a “clean out in the high places of government,” apparently meaning President Hoover. He insisted they would act strictly according to American principles, that is the ballot box. However, the obvious Fascist-like nature of the movement, although yet undeveloped, is causing some concern in Washington. Concentration at Johnstown. On the understanding that the Mayor of Johnstown (Pennsylvania) had previously invited the bonus army to establish thsir headquarters there, a thousand veterans are en route to Johnstown, where Commander Waters expects to start the organisation of the Khaki Shirts. Later the mayor said he had only invited the leaders. However, several truck loads of veterans have already arrived, with indications that a thousand more will arrive in a few days. This will probably create another police problem. Relief for Distress. Relief for the evicted women and children is presenting a serious problem. It was first announced that 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 of the children have left with the veterans for Johnstown. Criticism of President. Repercussions of yesterday's hostilities were quick to materialise. President Hoover, in a statement, defended the calling out of troops, while a canvass of a few Congressmen in the city revealed the general opinion that the movement was an untimely one.

Senator Black of Alabama, severely criticised the President, particularly for the night operations against women and children. He hinted at a Congressional investigation.

“The New York Times” understands that President Hoover desired to suspend operations early in the evening, but General McArthur and General Hurley persuaded him to allow the plan of campaign to be continued. The Liberal element* throughout the nation have issued strong protests. The Communist organisation in New York have scheduled several demonstrations. The organised Veterans’ Associations, including the American Legion of Veterans of Foreign Wars, are apparently of divided opinion. Threats of Direct Action. Commander Waters, in a statement, denounced the “monied interests of Wall Street,” and called for universal support for the movement, "and the return of government to the masses.”

The possibility of unemployed malcontents forming an organisation for political, or perhaps even direct action, has veen voiced in various quarters for

some time, but Commander Waters’s declaration is the most definite manifestation of such a movement yet heard. Cavalry Withdrawn.

Confident that order has been restored, the cavalry which aided in evicting the bonus army from government property, has returned to headquarters. STORY OF EXTRAORDINARY UPHEAVAL. NO PARALLEL IN COUNTRY’S HISTORY. United PreßS Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, July 29. The United States Army, summoned yesterday by Mr Hoover, had by today smashed the grip held on Washington for months by thousands of veterans, demanding the immediate payment of the bonus for wartime army service. As mute evidence of the struggle that has no identical parallel in this country, four scarred areas mark The once populous encampments of the Bonus Expeditionary Force. William Huska, of Chicago, exsoldier, is dead and scores are nursing injuries. The troops that remained in the command of the veterans were driven forth by tear gas and flaming torches applied to their crude shelters. They clustered in small groups or headed from the city. They are seeking to organise elsewhere. Veterans Will Carry On. Walter Waters, of Portland, Oregon, the Commander-in-Chief of the Bonus Expeditionary Force, 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 (Pennsylvania). Earlier he issued a statement saying: “No matter what may happen from now on, the Bonus Expeditionary Force will carry on. We have gone too far to quit.” Arrests of Radicals. The wholesale arrests of radicals who had been active with the Bonus Army

took place this afternoon, under instructions from Mr Hoover, that the local authorities should at once find the instigators of the attack on the police yesterday, which led to the killing of one veteran.

On leaving a meeting in an abandoned church in Fifth and Victoria Avenue, near where the Communistic wing of the Bonus Army had been billeted, more than thirty were taken. In addition some seventy were lined up two abreast along the sidewalk.

It appeared that the police planned the march of these across the Columbia border line. Those arrested were held for investigation by immigration officials. PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO APPEAL. VETERANS FACE FIXED BAYONETS. United Press Association- By Electric Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, July 29. The use of troops, cavalry, infantry, tanks and machine gun corps was ordered by the President after police efforts to carry out the demand for the immediate evacuation of Federal property had precipitated the 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 Myer (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 peacefully, the khaki line, steel helmeted and in full battle equipment, moved forward with tear gas bombs and fixed bayonets. The cavalry, with drawn sabres, pressed the charge home, and the job was quickly done. Withering Fire. Despite resistance, the troops moved on, and cleared two other camps in the city, one at Anacostia, six miles from Downtown, Washington. A withering combination of fire and tear gas left the veterans leaderless, demoralised and without shelter. They spent the night in the open fields and parks. Many have started for home. Reply to Mob Rule.

Troops hurled tear gas bombs and set the shacks of the Bonus Army afire in the vicinity of the Capitol again on Friday afternoon, at the

time when Mr Hoover, at White House, was serving an emphatic notice that the Government cannot be coerced by mob rule. The President said lie considered the disturbance on Thursday a challenge to the authority of the United States Government, which had been met swiftly and firmly. As the President read the statement, the cavalrymen, who had returned to Pennsylvania Avenue, clashed with a group of veterans gathered around the basebaJl diamond. The troopers charged, scattering them. Some ran off and climbed trees. 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. The cavalry kept the streets clear of spectators, as the great roll of smoke poured out of the block into the nearby residences. A strong wind fanned the flames and the shacks burned fiercely.