Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-27
Roosevelt Writes Remarkable
Letter on Necessity of Being
Prepared For War
QUOTES FROM ADMIRAL TOGO
Latters Speech to Men of Navy After
the War With Russia Incorporated
in a Special Order to the Army and
Navy = Says Peace Depends on
Competency Of Army and Navy.

Washington, Feb. 27. - President
Roosevelt has addressed to the secre-
tary of war, who has promulgated the
same in general order, a letter re-
citing the achievements of the Japa-
nese admiral, Togo, during the late
war between Japan and Russia, re-
peating for the benefit of American
soldiers and sailors an address is
sued by that admiral upon the conclu-
sion Of the war. The point of the pre-
ident's letter Is the necessity of keep
ing the personnel Of the army and
navy at the highest pitch in time of
peace in order to be prepared for war.
The text Of the presidents letter fol-
lows: White House, Washington,
Feb. 81, Secretary Of war.-In the re-
cent war in the far east Admiral Togo
took his place among the great sea
fighters of all times. His message to
the united squadron, which he COM
manded, on the occasion of it's dis
persal at the close Of war Is SO note
worthy that deem it proper to have it
inserted in general order of the de-
parment. The qualities which make
formidable the fighting man on sea or
shore, and which therefore make a
formidable army or navy, are the same
for all nations, the individual men
must have fighting edge, there must
be in them courage, determination,
q r1j1 ind 6i1G1 init aA
with Willingness to learn and subordn-
alton of self, together with ply
sical address. in order they may form
the stuff out of which. in the aggregate,
good armies and navies are made, but
In addition there must be preparedness
there must be thorough training in
advance and every American officer
and enlisted man, whether serving the
army or navy, should keep ever before
his eyes the fact that he will not be
fit thoroughly to do his work In the
event of war, unless in peace he has
thoroughly done the work of preparing
for war; If in peace the soldier and
sailor abandon themselves to ease and
sloth, when war comes they will go
down before the rivals who have been
less self indulgent. Nor is it only the
men of the army and navy who should
constantly remember these facts. In
great self-governing republic like ours
the army and navy can be only so
good as the mass of people wish them
to be. The citizens Of our country
owe it to themselves, their children and
shall be no chance of having the ma
:rl,4 = ~
flag stained with aught that is discred
liable. The men of the army and navy
in great crisis such as even the
most peaceful nation may at times
have to face, will be those upon whom
the especial responsibility will rest of
keeping the nations honor bright and
unsullied. They cannot do this If
the nation does not exer-
else forethought on their be-
half We must have an adequate navy
and adequate army in point of size;
they must be provided with the most
effective mechanicism in the form of
weapons and other material; above all
they must be given every chance in
time of peace to train themselves so
they may be adopts in handling mech
anism, and be fitted in body and mind
unflinchingly to endure the tremend-
Gus strain and bear the tremendous
responsibility of war;"
The president here quotes the address
of Admiral Togo, omitting, he says,
certain illusions having no bearing on
our conditions, and concludes as fol-
lows:
.I commend the above address to
every man who is or may be a part of
the fighting force of the United States,
and to every man who believes that, if
ever, unhappily, war should come, it
should be so conducted as to reflect
credit upon the American nation.
[Signed1