New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-31
Blames Politicians
for Lack OF Defences

Columbus. Ohio, Dee. 9O.-Severe ar
raignment Of a certain type OF memoer
Of Congress IS "the only hyphenated
American" and primarily responsible
FOR the lack Of an adequate national Dc
fence was made this afternoon ~ Z
s. Thompson. chairman Of the Board o.
Trustees OF the American Defence so
ciety. in an address before the section
on social and economical science OF the
American Association for the Advance
OF Science.
"In this country" said Mr. Thompson,
I'VE are az last stupidity coming from
the torpor OF gloriication &C the
danger around us. We have given Of
Tense and others are unforgiving. We
are rich. and others follow us with
hungry eyes. The danger IS war Il D.
likely 20 fall upon us suddenly, and
now. a. last seeing our plight, We are
prenaring for the enemy"
The enemy most 20 be feared Ar.
Thompson explained, was not GermanY
or Great Britain or Austris, or Japan;
but was 20 found "in the byweys OF
Washington and in the halls OF Con-
gress." On this line he continued:
"At last We have smoked him out,
but II NAV be too late. His first great
blow. am afraid, has already fallen
upon US. All the time We have been
die he has been e. work. All the time
he should have been laborinR for US
he has been building Tor himself. All
the time We have been laughing az MN
and washing our hands Of him he -
been a. work tearing away the founda-
tions Of our democracy, until to-day,
in this approaching moment OF our
peril. he mas taken our strength from
"Who Is the mani He is what /
Ike 70 call our only hyphenated
American. He is your Congressionsl-
American, your party American. tie IS
the one 20 whom We have solemnly
charged the responsibility OF national
defence. and what has ne done?
For all the stupidity and neglect
Who is 10 blame II rot those men az
Washington % whom we have directly
charged the responsibility Of our ma
tioual defence? II you would know
them BY name, 20 20 the halls OF Con-
gress To-day these men are wearing
the American badge Of shame. and
their legislative chambers are the
chambers OF confusion. To-day, now
that public attention is directed tow
ard them, they are running up ana
down the corridors like chickens with
their heads cut of Am severe 3?
After all. when the very future OF our
republic is in the balance, :an we be
too severe?
at the same time. are the men We
send % Congress alone 20 blame? The
greater par. OF this year. whenever ]
have had the time I have been calling
attsntion 20 their stupidity or wiitu.
neglect. and vet ! confess The badge
Of shame they are wearing to-day
should also be worn by others They
are wearing = for others. tOo-for you
and for me. How very little you AMI
J have known o. this whole question
Of national defence. How very little
We know to-day!
Naturally. what you want 20 Eno"
to-day is the right ching 20 do. Shall
we leave the question 20 the man ir
Washington again? No, you say. this
zine we shall hold him 10 a- account
ing"
Politics and sectionalism must b.
eliminated from consideration Of tho
national defence. said Mr. Thompson.
and he urged that the people take con-
troll Of the situation and compel Con
gress 20 provide preparedness against
war" 20 the fullest extent.