From a reader, Diana West.

In his memoir, Reminscences, General Douglas MacArthur provides an illuminating account of the Bonus Army riots in the summer of 1932, which, as Army Chief of Staff, he would help quell after District of the Columbia requested assistance.

MacArthur’s account highlights some striking similarities with recent Black LIves Matter/Antifa rioting in the nation’s capital, especially when it comes to his overview of the tense situation in these final months of the Herbert Hoover administration.

In 1964, MacArthur wrote:

In these days of wholehearted unity, it is hard to believe that thirty years ago the President of the United States lived in danger, and the Congress shook with fear at the sight and sound of the marchers. It is hard to believe, too, that government employees and other citizens of Washington who bore witness to the tawdry street battles cheered the stoning of the Washington police force.

Plus ca change …

The movement was actually far deeper and more dangerous than an effort to secure funds from an already depleted federal treasury. The American Communist Party planned a riot of such proportions that it was hoped that the United States Army, in its efforts to maintain peace, would have to fire on the marchers. In this way, the Communists hoped to incite revolutionary action. Red organizers infiltrated the veteran groups and presently took command from their unwitting leaders. (Emphasis added.)

… plus c’est la meme communists.

Yes, indeed, nearly ninety years ago, “Red organizers” were already using civil strife — in this case, the stress and poverty of thousand of unemployed WWI veterans nearly three years into the Great Depression — to try to spark a violent overthrow of the federal government, or cause as much chaos and mayhem as possible in the attempt while demonizing the anti-communist President Hoover and General MacArthur.

Interestingly enough, the D.C. police commander, Pelham Greenford, was more on the “woke” side than we might expect of law enforcement at the time. Fortunately, the D.C. government and the Secretary of War were clearly on the side of protecting law, order and the White House, and not the agitators — patriotic support President Trump has not enjoyed.

Here’s how events unspooled in 1932. Thousands of “Bonus Army” protestors had camped out in and around the District on federal property since May. After Congress failed to comply with their demands to issue an immediate bonus for their war service, President Hoover was able to get a bill passed providing them with travel fare home. Thousands left the city. Those who remained were increasingly under Communist Party influence and increasingly violent.

After twice advising against providing Army assistance to Washington metropolitan police, MacArthur writes, “on July 28, the crisis was reached.”

A mob 5,000 strong began to move up Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Treasury Building and the White House. The police were outnumbered five to one. [Police commander] Glassford was mauled and stripped of his police superintendent’s gold badge, gunfire broke out, and a score or more were badly injured. It was evident that the situation had gotten beyond the control of the local authorities.

A request was immediately made through the Board of Commissioners for the District of Columbia for federal troops.

Note that in 2020, after three days of rioting and looting in D.C., including in and around Lafayette Square during which some 60 Secret Service and special agents “sustained multiple injuries” defending the White House, and St John’s Church was torched, D.C. Mayor Bower was more adamant about fending off  National Guard assistance than fending off protestors. She even went so far as to eject members of the Utah National Guard from a D.C. hotel, and, infamously, permitted 16th Street, NW, to be emblazoned with the words “Black Lives Matter.”

Back to 1932:

Commissioner Richelderfer, in requesting such assistance from the President, “stated that it would be impossible for the police department to maintain law and order except by the free use of firearms. The presence of federal troops in small numbers will obviate the seriousness of the situation, and it will result in far less bloodshed and violence.

The President then conferred with Patrick Hurley, the Secretary of War, who was immediately placed in charge. Hurley issued the following order:

To: General Douglas MacArthur, Chief of Staff US Army

The President has just now informed me that the civil government of the District of Columbia has reported to him that it is unable to maintain law and order in the District.

You will have United States troops proceed immediately to the scene of disorder. Cooperate fully with the District of Columbia police force which is now in charge.  Surround the affected area and clear it without delay.

Turn over all prisoners to civil authorities.

In your orders insist that any women or children who may be in the affected area be accorded every consideration and kindness. Use all humanity consistent with the due execution of the order.

Patrick J. Hurley

Secretary of War

So let’s make it clear from the outset that I am not advocating based on this, nor have I ever advocated, that the U.S. military become involved in the current riots, burnings, lootings, etc.

There is a legal, historical and necessary function for the unorganized militia.  This is just the kind of thing.

If the state of Washington were to have made the call for militias nationwide to come to the aid of their PD, and ten thousand people had showed up with battle rattle and full kit, it would have taken two hours to arrest the ne’er-do-wells, sent the other ones packing, and returned normalcy to the kidnapped property owners inside those six blocks.

I’m just saying.  This is all happening because the communists want it to happen, whether in Antifa or government (and I’m being redundant here, I know).