The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-21
WORK HAS BEGUN
Corner Stone of the New War
College at Washington
Was Laid Today With Impress
sive Ceremonies.
MILITARY AND MASONS.
Addresses by the President and
Secretary Root.
Bishop SatterIee Conducted the
Religious Features.


of distinguished people including the
president of the United States, mem
bers of the cabinet. members of con
Eress, justices of the supreme court,
representatives of foreign powers and
others eminent in the life of the nation,
the corner stone of the army war col
lege was laid here today with impress
sive military and Masonic ceremonies
The occasion was rendered especially
notable and Interesting by addresses
delivered by President Roosevelt. Sec
retary of War Root and Major Gen
eral S. NJ. B. Young, president of the
war college.
The site selected for the new building
is on the reservation of the Washing
ton Barracks, at the foot of AZ street.
TOday's ceremonies marked the be-
ginning of a project which has been
f0stered by the president Secretary
Root and others Interested in the ad
vancement and thorough training of the
United States army. While the fOunda-
tlOn of the new structure, which is to
be practically unique. has been only
just begun, the plans contemplated by
the war department and by congress
include the construction of an entire
set of buildings on the arsenal grounds
Among other structures there Will be
hospital, barracks. officers quarters
ana al administration DuMQlUS8 ELAA To-
be handsome and Of the most approved
architectural design.
The army war college grounds have
been selected as the site for the statue
of Frederick the Great which Emperor
William has promised to present to the
people of the United States
A picturesque feature of the cere-
monies today was the participation of
the military About 600 troops repre-
senting the various branches of the
-T-
cises. They were drawn from the sew
elal army posts in Washington and Vi
cinity and were in command of Major
Black of the corps of engineers
President Roosevelt. accompanied by
his military aide, Colonel Theodore A.
Bingham. left the White House in
carriage at III O'Clock. He was escorted
10 the war college grounds by Troop p,
Of the Third cavalry In other. carriages
members of the cabinet ACCOMPANIED
the president. Two non-commi issioned
officers. both skilled hOrsemen. rode on
each side Of the presidents carriage to
control the horses in case they were
frightened by the firing of salutes or
ed to each of the other carriages as
preCautiOn against accidents AS the
presidents party entered the grounds
the presidents flag was RUN to the top
of the Flagstaff and a section of the
Fourth battery. light artillery, fired the
presidents salute. The assembled
troops paid the president the hOnors pre-
scribed by the regulations.
Grand Master George II. Walker of
the District of Columbia grand lodge of
Masons, and other officers of the grand
lodge in carriages. We're escorted to the
war college grounds by the Second cav
airy band.
The ceremonies incident to the laying
of the cornerstone were impressive. The
invocation was pronounced by the Right
Rev Henry v Satterlee, bishop Of
Washington. the assemblage standing
uncovered during the prayer. After
music by the band President Roosevelt
was introduced by General 9. L. Giles
pie, chief of engineers, U. S, A The
president was given cordial ovation
His address folOws
MR. ROOSEVELT'S REMARKS.
Gentlemen and Ladies-lt should be
matter OF pride and congratulati0n to
every American citizen interested in the
welfare of his country that TODAY we
lay the foundation stone Of a building
The erection of which signalizes a Iona
STRIDE Forward IN securing the efficiency
or the United states army, a step less
important than that marked bv the en.
actment of the law TO create a general
star, but step supplementing the pass
age of the act rounding it out and rem
dering it of far wider and far deeper
"One word first to the nation anu
then another to the army. To the ma.
tion first.
1T has well been said that the surest
way to invite national disaster is for a
nation to be opulent aggressive and un-
aimed tApplause) The nation that is
rich, that is SO high spirited as to he
somewhat careless of giving offense ana
that yet refrains from that preparedness
which is absolutely necessary if eff
cheney in war is ever to be shown-sllcl
q nation is laying deep the foundation
TOT huniliatlon and disaster As a peo
pie whether we viii or not we have
reached the stage when we must nla,, a
great part in the world. lit is not oner,
10 US to decide whether or NOT we shai II
play it. All we have to decide is whether
we shaA play 1t well or il. The ral-r
IS before us. We have to DIav if An
lhat lt rests for US to do is to saw that
we win play it well (Applause)
RMS nation has by the mere trend
or events been forced into a position of
world power during the past few years
II has responsibilities resting upon it
mere ~ the occldent and jim the Orient
~ eil 81 cannot bear these RESPONSE
pllltles Alright unless its voice IS potent
Tor peace and justice. and it's Service can
pe potent for peace and justice only on
conul -lon OF Its being thoroughly under
STOOD that We ask peace not in the
SplIlt oL the weakling and the craven.
nut WITH the assured self confidence of
tne just man armed. cloud applausa 5
90 much Tor the lesson to be learned bv
~ People from the movement IN which
lne erection of this building is part
NOW a word to the officers and en-
nsteu men Of the army The last two
or three years have Witnessed a notable
aWaKenlng in our pepole to the well
being Of the army Our people are mn
aerstandlng as never before the fact
that the army. like the navy viii A.
Wen IN war mainly in proportfon as ir
has been prepared well in peace. thar
after the war has begun it is too Iafe
FOR us 70 prepare for the victory. De
feat VIII come inevitably and surely ir
the preparation is put off until the wa,
begins, and victory viii come if it has
been prepared for in time of peace and
on no other terms
During the session of congress that