Army and Navy Review 1915 Panama-California Edition - Balboa Park

S A N D I E G O
and the Panama-California Exposition
BEFORE the building of the San Diego Exposition was started, assurance
was given by the United States Government that there
would be no request for a subsidy as had been granted by various
world’s fairs of the past. Possibly in recognition of this unusual
attitude, the Government showed a cordial disposition to assist
San Diego in other ways; notably in the support rendered by the Department
of War and Navy.
The most considerate gift beyond a doubt, was that of the services
of the entire Second Battalion of the Fourth Regiment of the U. S. Marines
of which Colonel J. H. Pendleton with his adjutant, Captain C. H. Lyman,
maintain regimental headquarters overlooking the Plaza de Panama.
The Battalion under the command of Major W. N. McKelvy occupies the
entire lower end of the Mesa, on the portion of which stand most of the
state buildings.
The “model marine camp” is almost the first detail of the grounds
to strike the eye of the visitor, regardless of whether he comes
by the east gate, winding along El Paseo, or across the majestic Puente
Cabrillo, which forms the western approach to the grounds. Every morning,
except Sunday, there is a drill by the marines in their barracks,
showing to interested spectators, the manner in which LTncle Sam trains
his “soldiers and sailors too” for the heavy duties of a possible war, and
the almost equally important duties of peace. On each afternoon, except
those days which are half holidays with the marines, the Battalion turns
out in the Plaza de Panama and gives a review.
The men of other branches of the service are also great factors in
making the Exposition picturesque. The artillery, cavalry, navy and the
other branches of the service are seen very frequently escorting Governors
of various states, commanding officers in the army and navy, as well as diplomats
and war heroes of other countries. The evening review is considered
one of the myriad activities.
The maintenance of the model camp is a surprise to most visitors,
who are only just beginning to realize, that the fighting men of the army
and navy have to do something besides fight. A field hospital, which is
there maintained, is a model. The mess tents and all details of practical
housekeeping can serve as models to members of the many Women’s Clubs,
which visit the grounds in a body.
The very layout of the camp is worthy of attention for it is entirely
due to the work of the marines that the unsightly mesa where the
camp now stands has been converted into a well nigh perfect parade
ground, athletic field and city of neat tents. Major McKelvy personally
superintended the work of levelling off the area, allowing him to use the
excess earth for filling in at the very tip of the plateau and thus adding
materially to his acreage. It was under his direction also that the piping
about the grounds was laid and the castle-like wall overlooking the boulevard
through the canyon. The companies in the battalion have established
a friendly rivalry to see which can deck out its section with flowers
and shrubs.