Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-10
CARNEGIE CRITTCTCES
TAFTS ADDRESS ON
NATIONAL DEFENSE
Disappointed at Ex-Presi-
dents Views on Necessity
of War How Have the
Mighty Fallen. .

NEW YORK, Dec. i0.--"How have the
mighty fallen" was the manner in which
Andrew Carnegie expressed himself to-
day when asked his opinion on eN-Presl-
dent Tafts somervile speech Of last
night on the national defenses. The
great peace advocate received reporter
In his study.
~ am greatly disappointed" he said.
"at ex-President Tafts assertion that
as long as governments are unjust and
tyranncal the possibility of wars and
revolutions cannot and ought not to dis
appear
The former Presidents demand for
recognition for what war has done in
the past for the progress OF civilization,
was sharply challenged by the steel mag
nate. who said:
For every ounce OF good that war has
done in tho past It has done a ton OF
evil / cannot imagine how the ex-
President has reached this sad conclu-
sion"
To Professor Tafts next assertion that
the present war demonstrates that
treaties may be broken and just rights
violated by nations in the first rank OF
civilization" Mr. Carnegie replied: Amy
nation that breaks a treaty has fallen
from tnat hiEn state ana proven ltSelA
less than unciYilized.
Mr.. Taft contradlcts himself and an
swers his own argument when he says:
The wise optimists should not look for
a panacea to abolish war, but for a peace
full means which may be substituted for
war which In Itself Is the real panacea
for war he tells us to stop looking for.
Good common sense for the first time"
was Carnegle's remark regarding the eX-
q Ifog ,nufu uu at,nfl hNgf
Of the disease from which certain critics
of the army and navy are suffering"
Regarding the former Presidents plea
for purchase of more munitions of war
and the taking of reasonable steps for
military effectiveness" Carnegie said:
Our country. with it's hundred millions
in population and 23,O00O 900 available for
militia duty, is practically unassallable.
The transport OF sufficient men to attack
and invade us may be said TO be inn
possible II our country were afraid of
such invasion she would be in the po-
sltion of the man who never walked
abroad without a lightning rod down his
back because 1t is q fact that men have
been hit by lightning. American men are
not such towards.
'Mr Taft is once more on solid ground
when he says we do not need larger
navy than II was the policy of the sew
eral administrations before this one to
maintain, | had suspected the eN-Pres-
dent from the first portion of his speech
OF being one of those who needed n light
ming rod, but l am delighted at such
words. No nation wishes to invade us;
we wish to invade no nation.
"Our ex-President's logic grows more
sound as he goes along in his argument.
] am sure he concurs with the policy pro-
claimed by President Wilson In his re-
markable, wonderful message-chockfull
of common sense. OF course, the PresI-
dent opposes that mad military and naval
cOterie which wishes to become investi-
gator of our national defenses would
be glad 20 recommend Mr. Taft to Pres
ident Wilson as one of those to investi-
gate our preparedness IL he was going
outside to get men. Fortunately, he will
determine to appoint Congressional COM
mittees and he'll hnd plenty of good
judges in Congress"