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Editorial
September 1, 1926
The Watchman And Southron
Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
Editorial argues that American war memorials in France and Belgium are overdone, citing General Pershing and the battle monuments commission on their poor condition, inaccuracy, and burden on locals, calling for restraint to avoid bad taste.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
TOO MANY WAR MEMORIALS
The erection of American war memorials in France and Belgium has already been considerably overdone.
Recently General Pershing urged that the tendency to indiscriminate placing of such monuments be curbed. Now the American battle monuments commission has made its annual report, confirming all that Pershing said and adding some observations of its own.
In addition to the war cemeteries, 14 permanent and 55 temporary war memorials have been constructed by or for American military organizations.
Some of these are already unkempt and deteriorating. Some are surrounded by weeds and brush. Others are not even historically accurate. It is easy to believe that a few are not artistic or in good taste.
In some instances their maintenance places a burden on the communities in which they are located.
It is perfectly proper, as everyone, including General Pershing, admits, to maintain the American war cemeteries and to have a few suitable monuments to our war heroes.
It is in very bad taste, however, to scatter war memorials indiscriminately through the war zone, exaggerating our contribution to the final victory and flaunting our own pride and grief in the lands of our war allies who suffered more than we did.
The erection of American war memorials in France and Belgium has already been considerably overdone.
Recently General Pershing urged that the tendency to indiscriminate placing of such monuments be curbed. Now the American battle monuments commission has made its annual report, confirming all that Pershing said and adding some observations of its own.
In addition to the war cemeteries, 14 permanent and 55 temporary war memorials have been constructed by or for American military organizations.
Some of these are already unkempt and deteriorating. Some are surrounded by weeds and brush. Others are not even historically accurate. It is easy to believe that a few are not artistic or in good taste.
In some instances their maintenance places a burden on the communities in which they are located.
It is perfectly proper, as everyone, including General Pershing, admits, to maintain the American war cemeteries and to have a few suitable monuments to our war heroes.
It is in very bad taste, however, to scatter war memorials indiscriminately through the war zone, exaggerating our contribution to the final victory and flaunting our own pride and grief in the lands of our war allies who suffered more than we did.
What sub-type of article is it?
Military Affairs
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
War Memorials
General Pershing
Battle Monuments Commission
France
Belgium
War Cemeteries
Maintenance Burden
What entities or persons were involved?
General Pershing
American Battle Monuments Commission
American Military Organizations
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Excessive War Memorials In Europe
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Indiscriminate Placement
Key Figures
General Pershing
American Battle Monuments Commission
American Military Organizations
Key Arguments
Erection Of War Memorials Has Been Overdone
Tendency To Indiscriminate Placing Should Be Curbed
14 Permanent And 55 Temporary Memorials Constructed
Some Memorials Are Unkempt, Deteriorating, Or Historically Inaccurate
Maintenance Burdens Local Communities
Proper To Maintain Cemeteries And A Few Suitable Monuments
Bad Taste To Scatter Memorials Exaggerating American Contribution