PRESIDENTIAL DIGNITY

Press, Volume L, Issue 14889, 31 January 1914, Page 8

PRESIDENTIAL DIGNITY

PRANKS OF AMERICAN OFFICERS. CENSURE FOR DISRESPECT. (FROM OCR OWN CORRESrOVDENT.) LONDON, December 19. Half the Press of America has been indulging during the last few months in jokes at the expense of tho now Administration, whose ideas of national righteousness and the purity of public life have been ridiculed right and lett. That President Wilson has felt this ridiculo is now evident from the fact that he has expressed displeasure at what occurred at a dinner of the Carabao Club in Washington. This club was formed iv Manila in 1902 by officers who had served in the Philippines, and those who dined included 100 officers of tho Army and Navy of all grades, up to major-generals and rear-admirals. They indulged in many caustic jokes and wild vagaries, and, unfortunately for thorn, the President was suffering from an attack of influenza when ho read tho report of the proceedings. According to the New lork correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," "ho waxed so augry.that he forthwith resigned his membership of the club, and instructed the Secretaries of the Admiralty and War to make a strict enquiry,* with the object of punishing those responsible. One song chorus, enr titled, 'Damn, Damn, Damn the Insurrectos,'. sung to the tune of 'Tramp. Tramp, Tramp, the liov s are Marching.' particularly incensed the Chief Executive. The first verse runs thus:— In that land of dopy dreams, Happy, peaceful Philippines, "Where the bolo man is hiking night and day, Where Togalos steal and lie, Whero l Americanos die, There you heai thc soldiers sing this evening lay: Damn, damn, damn the Tnsurrectos, • ■ Crocs-eyed kakiack ladrones, • Underneath the starry flag, . Civilise 'cm with a Krag • Ere they eend us to our own beloved homes. ' The Carabaos travestied the Administration's peace policies in song and pantomime. After the members had-con-demned the Insurrcctos in the Philippines,, three battleship, sailed into: the midst- of the revellers. They were Oft. models, borne by eouceaied boys. In tho muzzles of the guns of each ship were .stuck nosegays, and a milk-white dove was perched on each fighting-top. They boro respectively the legends "U.S.S. Fellowship," -'U.S.S. Friendship," and "U.S.S. Piffle," and to all it was plain that allusion was being made to the address of the Secretary of State (Mr Bryan) on the metaphorical battleships which, ho J said, would be symbols of peace nnd concord. Tho entrance of the battleships was greeted by a demonstration. The banqueters cheered, and a marine band played "Columbia, Get the Ocean." This song was follower* by "If Wilson were here to-night," sung to the tune of; "When I Get You Alone To-night." Dr. Wilson's attitude is that the Carabao consists of officers of the Army and Navy, of whom he is the titular chief, and, as such they are officials of, the Government, without politics, and ewe allegiance to the country and. the Administration in power. Incidentally he doubts whether the Filipinos and Europeans without a sense of American humour would appreciate the lampooning, caricaturing, and buffoonery which marked the Carabao festivity. Commenting upon the incident, the Now York "Evening Sun"* expresses regret that President Wilson should lose his. equilibrium over "a bit of fun," and be unable to take a joke. "It was bad taste," 6ays the "Evening Sun," "for Army officers to carry the warship PifHe into the banqueting room with the dove of peace on its smokestack, labelled 'Hot air,' with grape juice bottles for guns, and with the Chuiitauqu. platform* for a con-ning-tower. All these jokes directed against. the Secretary of State (Mr Bryan) hit too hear tho mark, and might have been mercifully left unsaid. But to grow hot over it is really wretched manners, according to our American code. The President should realise that ihe country will turn the laugh a thoimnd-fold, aye, a millionfold, on hi n if he seeks to soothe his official dignity by punishing Army officers for a joke because he could not take it." - . As a result of President Wilson's indignation, the officers responsible for tho dinner have sent a deputation to Mr Garrison. Secretary for War, and Mr Daniels. Secretary for the Navy, to express their regrets, and 6tate that no disrespect to the Government policies was intended. The officers feared a court-martial, or at least a reprimand that would jeopardise .their chances of promotion. Tho deputation consisted of Quartermaster-General Aleshire, Admiral T. B. Howard, and General Frank Mclntyre.