National Affairs: Pacifists,Hell!

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"The General is a very distinguished and gallant officer. If the country gets into trouble again I am sure we can get him back in the service."

Thus spoke President Hoover last week, leaving no doubt that he would promptly approve the request of Major General Smedley Darlington ("Old Gimlet Eye") Butler for retirement from the Marine Corps Oct. 1. General Butler will live in Philadelphia, is said to be planning to run for the Senate.

Meantime General Butler was effectively squelching any rumors that his retirement from the Marines would mean retirement from the public eye. Addressing the Connecticut convention of the American Legion in New Britain, he was quoted in the local and metropolitan press as saying :

"I am through, but you will hear more from me. I am going to get busy in this Legion business when I get out where I won't get in wrong when I say things. I am going [to Pennsylvania] tomorrow and tell those soldiers if they don't go out and lick that gang in Philadelphia I'll throw this uniform of mine in the mud.

. . . There is no "use talking about abolishing war; that's damn foolishness. Pacifists, Hell! I'm a pacifist, but I always have a club behind my back."

Afterwards, as has often happened be fore with his fiery speeches, he claimed that he had not been correctly quoted.