Evening star., 1914-11-25
.DAN|E[SANSWERS
SO-CA[LED J|NG0ES
Defends Policies Which Have
Kept United States Out
of War.
CALLS PEOPLE GRATEFUL
FOR PRESIDENTS STAND
Speaks at MONDAY Thanksgiving
Exercises at Government
Printing Office.

There is to be heard in the land
the exceptional note of the swash-
buckling jingo. He laments that his
country has not copied militarism and
is loud in criticism of policies that
have kept America at peace, while
Europe is writing history with the
sword
In these words Josephus Danielss
Secretary of the Navy, today publicly
answered some of the recently pub
lished questions and answers which
have been made as to the alleged
state of preparedness and unprepared-
ness of the American army and navy.
with particular relation to the size of
these arms of the service. Mr.. Dan
iels spoke at noon at Thanksgiving
exercises at the government printing
office.
Declaring that the American people
have given every evidence that they
are grateful for a President who, by
wise policies, prevented war with Mex
leo, Mr.. Daniels said that the ad-
ministration's utmost endeavor is to
avoid complications that might en-
broil the United States in the wars of
the nations on the other side of the
world.
Praises Wilson Policies.
"It is matter" Mr.. Daniels declared,
which makes the American people
thankful that it has at the helm at this
time of world crisis man who has
full realization of the meaning of war;
who, as he said, has a passion for
peace and whose every action is an
assurance to his people that he will
promote national peace with national
honor.
The work of the American Red Cross,
the sending of American foodstuffs to
Belgium and the sailing of the Christ
mas ship, laden with presents for Eu-
ropcan orphans, show the spirit of
sympathy which prevails in this coun-
try toward the war stricken peoples
of Europe, and we should be thankful
that, though our cotton and manufac-
tured products are piling UP in home
because the demand for
them abroad is cut of, nevertheless, we
are able. from our own vantage ground
OF complete peace and measurable
prosperity, to in some degree be the
Good Samaritan nation OF the earth,
and to pour oil and wine into. the
wounds OF those who lay bleeding along
the roads where war has taken its
heavy toll. For these privileges we
give thangs. They will bring greater
blessing to US than those who are the
recipients of them. for it is ever more
blessed to give than to receive"
Secretary Daniels spoke of Benjamin
Franklin. the master printer, and
quoted from that philosophers article
on the origin of Thanksgiving Aej
paid warm tribute to New England
because of its noble gifts to the re-
public, one of the greatest of which
ne deemed to be the season of Thanks
giving.
"Gave Us Thanksgiving Day."
1T came from the Puritan. but
with all it's hardness, wove
some of the finest threads of gold and
scarlet into the fabric of American
character" he said. 1T gave us
Thanksgiving day because it repre-
sented a deep and abiding conviction.
Let US ask ourselves the question, in
this day Of 1atitudinarianism, are we
allowing the pendulum to swing awav
too far from those things which
Puritanism stood for? May we recall
the story of the old Governor of Maine
VINO was entertaining Lafayette upon
his visit to America?
he wished to tender every honor to
his distinguished guest, who assisted
IN the liberation of America, when the
time of his departure should come: and
he had arranged for the militia to turn
out as a nome guard and for the bands
to play and for the flags to fly when
the hour should come for bidding fare
well to the great Frenchman. But when
Gen, Lafayette said to him, 4 have de-
cided to leave on the coming Sunday
the old governor shook his head and
expressed his regret, saying that he
had arranged to speed the parting
guest with every distinguished honor
in his power. but since he had deter
mined to leave on the Sabbath day, he
must depart alone and without display
or ceremonial pomp. That was convic-
tion. and only in deep and abiding con-
viction of truth can we as individuals
build up useful lives or as a nation
go forward in virile strength
I'm the rush past us of the hours of
the doxology of the twelvemonth we
must not be forgetful that as a nation
We have many things to be thankful
for. AS we see the smoke rising from
the battlefields of Europe, and hear the
cry of the dying. we may well thank
God that we are yet at peace. Are we
indeed thus thankful? AS a people,
yes"