New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-07
"PEACE TALK is ROT"
So Says General Wood at ST..
Nicholas SOcietu Dinner.

Speaking 10 the toast OF The Army"
Major General Leonard Wood stirred up
the members of the St. Nicholas Society at
its seventy-fourth anniversary dinner at
DelmonioO's last night by saying that there
was "a great deal of rot in all this peace
talk" General Woods words came after
the members of the society had listened
pleasantly to speeches in praise Of New
York and the country in general
The great work To be done in the United
States" said General Wood. lis To develop
a national guard. Here in New York what
is needed is a sea coast guard. At the pres
ept time we have only about % per cent OF
the men needed To protect our sea coast
against any possible invasion There is
considerable aversion i'm the national guard
10 long camps and tours OF duty because
o. the apprehension the men entertain that
their positions will be thereby ieOpardzed.
If employers would encourage work in the
national guard II would promote better
work on the part OF the men
The American sea coast is not well
guarded continued General Wood We
have 15-inch guns. but We have not the
men To man them. We cannot increase the
regular army in time of peace. but We must
increase the national guard if We expect TO
keep UP our defence"
General Wood suggested that il might be
a wise idea 10 cut the term Of enlistment
I'm the regular army 10 a two-year period
and then re-enlist only the best Of the men.
who could serve as instructors 20 recruits
The Hague tribunal was all right in its
way, said General Wood. but the time of
peace was the time 10 make preparations
to preserve it. Arbitration might be all
right. but war was a possibility and
against its coming il would be a wise pre-
caution 10 prepare a volunteer army cap
able 10 meet any emergency. Rear Admit
raj Murdoch. who followed General Wood
minated he was In accord with the views
OF the general in regard 10 the need OF the
practical training OF volunteer forces
Outside OF these two speeches there was
an atmosphere Of peace and satisfaction in
the little old town.
For instance. there was understanding
approval and sympathy with Professor
Sloane. Of Columbia University, when he
said what the city needed was more self
government and the opportunity TO be al
lowed 10 see its mistakes for itself
Justice jerks. Of Brooklyn. too. found the
city good place. ami. Corporation Counsel
Ia was for that borough. made a hit
"''N" TIC Ho'u ''iis CITY III CONSIDERATION Ol
the money il was spending daily would not
compare poorly with other corporations
that spent sJ0J.GJ) day Justice jerks
thought what the city needed was To have
the lesson brought home TO Jhe majority
OF its citizens that il was not only the
landhOlder who had to pay the tax
Charles Z. Littleield who was once a
Congressman from Maine, but who didn I
seem 10 regret last night that he hao
changed his residence. thought we we've
doirg very we'll as country. having stood
the invasion Of The great Alexander Pope
Il the twentieth century and not having
become widely disturbed by his satire on
a lady prominent IN English political life.
Other speakers We're President Finley nf
the College OF the City Of New York and
Charles .. Mas.