New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-16
CADETS DON THE BLUE
Secretary Dickinson Hands Dr.
pl0maS to 81 Graduates.
GIRLS SMILE ON AFFAIR
Dignity of Occasion Relieved by
Many Frolics-Gen. Howe
Favors 100000 Army.
GIRLS SMILE ON AFFAIR

/ by Telegraph TO The Tribune
West Point. y. I, June 15-Under the
| shadow OF monument in memory Of
other West Point graduates, who in win
ming honor and fame for themselves and
/ their country had given their lives on the
field of battle, the eighty-two cadets Of the
class Of 1910 received their diplomas this
morning from the Secretary of War. Jacob
McGavock Dickinson and laid aside for
ever the gray Of the corps for the blue
Of the regular army service
The graduating exercises were held N
the open air on the plain At one end
was raised platform sheltered by q tent
On this platform were seated 2 score or
50 Of staff and line officers Respondent in
the gold lace and cooked hats of the full
dress Uniform. In the centre Of this group.
n sharp contrast. was the guest Of honor.
the Secretarv of War; who was dressed in
sombre civilian black Nassed in front of
the tent was the graduating class in cadet
fun d-ess-long gray cutaway coats, with
double rows Of brass buttons and spotless
white duck trousers
On each flank and to the rear Of the
graduates sat the junior class men. the
relatives, friends and sweethearts Of the
cadets In this asser1blage girls we're in
the predorninance, and the pretty army
girl is too fair 2 subject TO mar by i'm
perfect description
t was pretty sight indeed with g
fitting setting. On It shone a brilliant sun,
z blessing which the cadets in their hot
uniforms fe-vently prayed to be rid Of
lo2g before the SPEAKERS finished telling
them all about what past graduates had
cone. and how the country looked for them.
70 uphold the honor and glory and all
that Of the army and the academy.
4 bugle sounded about l o'clock The
cadets fell IN and formed in company
formation. Al the head Of thu line was
the graduating class It was the last for
nation for 1910. and for the first time the
class seemed suddenly 70 realize that cadet
DAYS we're over and the dear old gray
battalion about 70 be 3 thing Of memory
And though z moment before they would
have ridicllled the idea that there would be
2 passtng regret at leaving "H-on-Hud-
son as army people call West Point, there
vas Z catch in more than one voice as the
class answered Here to the rollcan- The
corps marched down TO the place where the
exercises were 70 be held in perfect align
nnent and perfect step. Then came the
order Fall OUT and the cadets took the
seats assigned to them
General Howe Speaks.
The chaplain offered a prayer, and then
Brigadier General Walter Howe, L s A,
commanding the Department Of the East
stepped forward 10 speak General Howe
is the Oldest graduate of West Point doing
active duty.
General Howe said that in the old days
there was lot Of talk about universal
peace and q long goodby to wars and
In heI
hest most efficient peace argument for
this country would be a strong navy and
z standing army of 10000 men
IF we had that he exclaimed. there
-,5o,,1d he no Far Eastern question, no
Iananesz question I ike all soldiers, do
not want war, but the army is not being
held in the esteem II should and won't be
until another serious war comes along
The peace argument that all nations would
respect is a standing army OF Soo.ooo-ard
big. powerful navy
He told the cadets that they must get
eor77e conception of the thoughts and work
3nrs Of The minds of the enlisted men Il
49, zrere 70 succeed in handling them
aAcfen+1v The enlisted man continued
the general will size you up all right. IL
uov,+ take him long 70 take your measure
or rhe whole. he is good sort But ne
viii drain the whiskey jug, and man
nh, draws SIS q month should not be
+-ue+ed with government money. In con-
cl,,sion. say always acquit yourselves
ike men and may God be with you
Colonel Scott then introduced the Sec
re+arv of War, the next speaker
General Howe thinks there VIII ne more
vars began Mr. Dickinson, but an event
which occurred yesterday discourages thal
idea Why II there are going TO ne war
should Princeton University send TOT tiie
head Of this institution Cbowtns TO Coio.ieA
Scott, and confer on him doctor oe-
gree
technique in military affairs he e'llpiia~
SGD the high integrity which had always
the conduct of officers Of the
y-r,,e5 States army, and pointed out that
success in military operations had n liiS
oo,,ntrv, often been rewarded by election
= +be Presidency. naming as instances
Jackson. Washington and Roosevelt
asor,ebow that has not been the case win
naval officers he said, but Doubtless the
of the Navy could explain that
A. mis- remark the cadets roared- They
.bouaht the army had scored again on the
,s,v and. OF course. that appealed 10
them nightly
,sr dickinson urged the graduates 10
7ercorr1 every duty as it presented itself, !
Lee he said when the crucial nlorneho
- snd the critical test offered ltsel
-, would find themselves unable to meet
the emergency. he brseo MOI a. -
as mental courage =,
Then came the presentation OF Inc "a !
r,or,as. Each cadet marched Up do HAS