Quaker Devildog

To China sailed last week from San Diego, Calif., a Quaker who has helped to put down 22 revolutions in his day, and later fought to make of Philadelphia a "dry" metropolis. This respected paladin from Pennsylvania is of course Brigadier General Smedley Darlington Butler, U. S. M. C. Last week the War Department ordered General Butler to hasten to Shanghai and there take command of the 3,000 U. S. marines who may soon be fighting a modern Boxer Campaign.*

General Butler was a lieutenant of marines during the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1902). At that time the expeditionary forces of the Great Powers were fighting the Chinese in close co-operation--so close that the cry "Blood is thicker than water!" reputedly was voiced for the first time by a U. S. combatant rushing to aid some hard pressed Britishers. (The phrase had, however, been heard in the 17th Century.)

Smedley D. Butler, sturdy Quaker, partook of this courageous, fighting chivalry. He was seen by a British officer to rush out under fire and drag a private to safety. For this the British recommended that he receive the Victoria Cross; but at London, experts pointed out that he was not eligible on technical grounds.

Circumstances caused him to appear momentarily ridiculous as Philadelphia Director of Public Safety (TIME, Jan. 4, 1926). He resigned from the marines to continue as "Philadelphia Dry Tsar," and at the same time Mayor W. Freeland Kendrick of Philadelphia dismissed him. The War Department recognized that General Butler had been the victim of Philadelphia politics and allowed him to withdraw his resignation. His assignment to China is prudent, well-advised, a happy choice.

*Keenest interest in his departure was felt last week by virile lads in the mid-teens who had just read a newly published book: Walter Garvin In Mexico, A Book For Boys, by Gen. Smedley D. Butler and Lieut. Arthur J. Burks (Dorranee, $1.75).