Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-13

s
VINCENTE =. LIN,
:tates Military Academy at West Point.
WEST POINT, ". Y, June 13.-Secre-
airy Garrison of the War Department, in
referring to the Mexican situation during
an address to the graduating class of
the United States Military Academy yes
erday. praised the conduct of the army's
accomplishments at Vera Cruz.
Secretary Garrison discussed at length
the operations of the military forces
along the border. He declared that a
small mistake or indiscretion on the part
of this force might have had 'momentous
consequences
Secretary Garrison spoke as follows:
Your days Of novitiate are over; you
60 forth now as fuIl-fiedged officers of
the army of the United Statess
Here at the knees of this mother Of
the army you have become imbued with
the spirit which actuates it-honor, valor
and vigor.
The record of the army's achievements
- too well known to you to require refer
ence or repetition.
The primary purpose of an army is
tnaruaEa sure defense in case of inva-
sion and powerful weapon in case of
aggression. The existence OF the army is
the safeguard of the nation. Whenever
needed the army is ready; whenever call
ed upon 1t will not fail
An A1l-Around Education.
But 1t is not with respect to the mar
al side Of military life that / wish to
address you today. With the tactical and
technical side you have been constantly
employed during your four years of
preparation here. Concurrently Herewith
you have been instructed In many sub
Jects seemingly unrelated to these and
apparently outside the necessary equip
ment of an officer of the army. You
have, in other words. been given, In ad-
dftion to your technical training, an ALL
around education. Whether this is neces-
saTy or is so with respect to armies of
other countries, i do not know 1t ia
absolutely essential with US.
The American army has become the
ah-around handy man of the government
l do not suppose that even you who are
IN and of the army have had brought
nome TO you the extent to which this is
SO; and feel sure that the country does
not realize 1t at all.
Always Subject to Call.
You may be called upon at any time
TO do any kind Of service in any mart Of
the woodland IL you would not fall be-
low the standard your fellows have set
you must be ready and you must do II.
and You must do 1t well
Consider for a moment soma op tho
Things the army has done in the brief
period OF my incumbency-since March 4
.9i3 :
In that month disastrous foods mum
lated vast areas of territory IN the states
Of Ohio. Indiana. Illinois, West Virginia
Missouri. Tennessee Arkansas KentncLv
Mississippi and Louisiana The local com,
muniues had neither the means nor the
machinery to handle the situation The
army was called upon. 1t went when
ever there was danger to life or health or
property. and 1t saved and safeguarded
and rescued By its grasp and GOODNESS
u brought order out of chaos, and by its
knowledge and ability 1t brought not only
succor. but hope. The entire sanitation
of certain communities was taken over
and widespread. devastating epidemics
were prevented. Nearly S7OO,o was ex-
pended by the army In this fight against
the unruly forces of nature
In the same month the city of Omaha.
Neb.. was visited by tornado On a
path 1--WE miles wide. directly through the
residential portion Of that city. 1t plowed
its waf, carrying wreck, disaster and
dismay In its train. One hundred and
nifty people were killed and hundreds
were intured-1.1 700 houses were wrecked
and $500 families were rendered home
less The community. as can well be
imagined. was appalled, and stricken
dumb. At Fort Omaha. Ave miles away
from the city. was a small detachment of
troops The commanding officer. with
that ever ready quality that I love to
think charactertzes our officers imme-
iiately led his men to the scene, took
complete charge gathered up the dead
and guarded them. rescued the injured
and tended them. put an instant stop to
al 1awlessness and looting. and restored
70 nornality a community that had been
veil nigh torn up by the roots. And then
when all was done he wrote a modest.
matter-of-fact recital of the duty and the
manner OF doing it and marched his men
back to their barracks.
Work Of Medical Department.
THAT same spring there was flood in
a little place called Peachtree. Ala, and
as a result some people were drowned
others were injured. and large suffering
ensued. The medical department Of the
army Immediately was dispatched to the
scene-a temporary hospital, tents an6
other necessary supplies were sent there
the injured were cared for. the destitute
were relieved and the situation was kept
in hand until the customary life of the
community could be resumed
I'm July of 1913 fierce forest fires al
Mount Tamaplais. Cal. and in the Carmel
valley of that state got beyond all pos
sinility Of local, control, and the army
was called upon More than 1000 men
and officers were dispatched. and after
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