Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-16
GARRISON PRAISES
HIGH TONE OF ARMY
Declares People of United
States Do Not Properly
Appreciate Service.
SOLDIERS ARE NECESSARY
TO ANY NATION, HE SAYS
Secretary of War Cites Great Ac-
complishments in Time
of Peace.

| NEW YORK, November 15.-Secretary
of War Garrison declared at a dinner
given in his honor at the Lotos Club to-
night that the people of the United States.
as whole, did not regard the army in
the proper attitude and did not feel to-
ward 1t as they should. The Secretary
made his statement during the course of
an enthusiastic discussion of the effective
ness of the army. even in time of peace.
For one thing" said he. Il think the
absolute hatred of bloodshed and war
and the function of the army in respect
thereto. For the fireman. the physician,
the engineer and for the clergyman. none
of US has words other than of praise and
encouragement.
Subject of Disapprova1.
"And yet for the soldier. whose very
presence is protection against others at
tempting to use force and whose efforts
in our behalf when force is used against
US. are essential to our defense, the peo-
pie have either negligent attitude or very
often one of dlsapproval l cannot on
any reasonable ground account for this.
IF it were true that the officers and
men of the army were staggering bullies
seeking to engage in war for wars sake.
or undesirable citizens who brought dis
grace upon the uniform and the country.
there would be reason for this public at
titude.
Army of High Tone.
''But exactly the contrary is the case.
The army, both officers and men, never
was of higher tone than today. nor as
high, in my opinion. No sane man posi-
bly, can think that a nation situated as is
the United States with respect to the
world could do without an army. All
stable government rests upon the posi-
bility of using force to secure obedience
to it's DEGREES. And so 1t must be with
nations until another day has dawned and
many of the attributes of men which now
guide their conduct have been changed
for other and different tones.
1T is absolutely essential for any nation
today to maintain sufficient force to Sc
cure the carrying out of its DEGREES.
Takes Two to Keep Peace.
1--WE all believe that the tendency of
the American government Is toward
righteousness: that We have no DESIRE for
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, for OPPRESSION or for TAX
ing away any one or any nation that
which rightfully belongs to it. But we
also know that-it takes two to keep the
peace and that we cannot safeguard the
interests of our people without the force
constantly ready to maintain and secure
it,
Secretary Garrison cited as most con-
vincing proofs of the highly efficient char
acter of the army the numerous in
stances in which it has been effectively
used in time of peace-tasks entirely dis
with the army's character as
lighting force. The relief work at San
Francisco, Omaha, during floods in the
Ohio and Mississippi valleys. in California
forest fires. the administration of exec
utiye functions in the PHILIPPINES and Cuba,
Porto Rico and Santo Domingo. the build
ing of the Panama canal he pointed out
as such instances and also called atten-
tion to the work of the Army Medical
Corps in subduing yellow fever, beri beri.
typhoid fever and tropical anemia.
Proud of His Soldiers.
'In view of all this" Mr.. Garrison con-
cluded Il am sure / will not be accused
OF lack of modesty in repeating that | am
whole heartedly proud OF the army of the
United States and of what it has done
and what II is capable of doing.
II am sure / am not asking anything
that YOU SnOuiu Iiol Dt "
grant in the suggestion that you likewise
should be equally proud. Strong as the
army is, willing as it Is. efficient as it is
YOU citizens have the power to add many
fold to its usefulness if You will but give it
its due need of appreciation and OF
praise | feel that you will do So.
Distinguished Audience.
Distinguished jurists and military Of
ficers, one or two city officials and sew
eraI hundred members of the Lotos Club
heard Mr. Garrisons address. A large
delegation came TO the dinner from New
Jersey. Mr. Garrison's home state. Speak
ers besides the Secretary were United
States Supreme Court Justice Mahlon
Pitney, former Secretary OF War Henry
L. Stimson, Maj Gn. Thomas III. Barry,
commander of the Department of the East:
Chief Justice William S. Cummere of the
supreme court of New Jersey, Superior
Court Justices F. ]. SwayZe and c. 6.
Garrison of New Jersey. and Col. George
Harvey.