Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 143, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1916 — Washington Preparedness Parade Led By Wilson Carrying Flag. [ARTICLE]

Washington Preparedness Parade Led By Wilson Carrying Flag.

Led by President Wilson carrying the stars and stripes, nearly 75,000 "men,—^• (Wne n*“and" children of Washington marched up broad Pennsylvania street Wednesday in a preparedness parade arranged to emphasize the national capital’s demand for an adequate army and navy. In a flag day speech, following the parade, President Wilson charged that there were some foreign born persons in the United States who are trying to levy a kind of political blackmail on the American political parties in the interest of foreign governments. Washington was brilliantly decorated for the occasion. It was a holiday, for under an executive order issued by the president, all government employes were excused from work and many stores were closed. The president, attired in white trousers, blue coat and straw hat an 4 shoulderihgTiisffiag like” a~ musket? stepped brskly to martial airs played by the marine band. He smiled broadly and frequently raised his hat in response to* cheers as he marched along. Ideal weather favored the demonstration.