The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-16

which circumstance may lead us to
war or cause us great embarrassment.
as well ms discredit to the country Now
this discussion Of unpreparedness which
has been going on for the past eight
months is only VALUABLE to the extent
to which 1t arouses public sentiment and
makes itself felt in Congress when II
assemblies at its next meeting. Zap
plause.1
The investigation OF our national de-
fence and a comprehensive plan for the
future should be an obligatory matter
when Congress meets. For the navy
belongs to the people OF the country and
they have a right to know it's condition
and how 1t Is being managed. The
mere appropriation OF a vast sum OF
money will not cause the necessary re-
organization In order that actual condi-
lions may be improved in order that
we may have a needed change In the
way OF military reform. which should
be forced upon Congress by a widespread
sentiment.
This investiga tion and knowledge has
been denied to the people by the lead
ers of the party In power. and II Is
dcplorablc that there should be an at
tempt TO deceive the people In n matter
Of such vital Importance. We have
reached a period In the worlds history
~ ~ '''TN pt h'st' ~" - W.
are to maintain peace we must be pre-
pared to defend ourselves. Let us not
forget that as the nation Is so are Its
Government, its public service. Its army
and its navy" tApplause.l
: Another speaker at the luncheon intro
duccd by President $. $. Menken OF
the National Security League was Gen.
Wright. He pointed out the lessons to
be armed from the bloody tragedy
which has haep MIA NpI hefora nur owes "
lie showed Belgium relying on her treaty
and Switzerland with n trained army.
He then referred to the possibility Of
trouble growing out OF the great conflict
and said
w see to-day evidences OF. II not
of irritation. at least of the possibility
OF trouble growing out OF the remon-
STRANGE of the violation OF our rights
as a neutral nation. and I am not refer
ring alone to Germany, because England
Is in the same boat with them. Zap
plause.1 The English orders In coun-
Gil are just as objectionable from a
neutral standpoint as are the sinking
of belllgcrent ships with neutrals on
board without giving them a nance TO
escape. The underlying principle liz the
same. our President IL dealing with
this delicate situation In a mastery
way tapplausel and. without further re-
ferrlng TO this matter. we are well con-
tent 20 leave II In his hands. knowing
that he will deal with the subject with
courtesy, with flrmness, and we be-
lieve with very satisfactory results
Gen. Wright urged the adoption OF a
fixed policy Of preparedness. He said
We should take no pride In having
whipped Spain. saying. "Ah. gentlemen,
we conquered a dead man" He con-
tinued that II trouble had followed the
little tin between Dewey and a German
admiral at Manila Bay the country
would not have been prepared for war.
He said in conclusion
Army should he Doubled.
W will And a means by which we
may organiZe-we should organize. or
should increase our regular army a,
least twofold. and We SHOULD develop
and perfect the national guard system
or insugurate a new system and a bet.
ter system. by which at least 100000
trained national guards, with trained
officers ehind them, can make a first
line OF defence. tApplause.l
1T is not necessary to pass young
men through the regular curriculum al
West Point to make officers. good ON.
GERS. OF them. The fact OF the business
is. at least I have long thought. tina
while West Point Ia an admirable In.
p StlsullOH us curriculum toulu W
shortened by half. provided young mer
. little older and a little better educated
were placed in the school. The tech
meal end OF II. so far as that Is con
ccrned. can he learned in a much shorter
time h a four years" t~Applause.l
Other speakers AT the luncheon were
Frederic Coudert. who made a plea 70,
greater preparation. and Major George
Haven Putnam. who called those per
sons traitors who believed that tn,
country should he unprepared to defenc
the women and children OF the country
The speeches at the morning session
/, were devoted to a discussion of the re
Guirements OF the navy. Charles J
Bonapartc, ex-Attorney-General. re
icated in part his speech OF the previous
evening. adding 'In order to get be
hind the problem OF adequate armamen
!, il is necessary to get behind the official
responsible with a sharp stick. The &C
: cepted principle OF warfare-the wa.
YOU defend yourself-is to knock tn,
ether fellow down before he can do tn
!. same to YOU"
Col. william c. Church, who spok,
briefly. made one epigrammat!c remarl
Of interest. He said. The United state
. has never suffered from mili,arism bu
has suffered from civilianism."
The officers of the league were gretl.
pleased with the enthusiasm aroused b,
the two day conference. Delegates sal,
they were arranging to start branche
! Of the organization In different cities Fl
, the country. The exhibition of the "un
preparedness of the United States 70
war" attracted moro than 10000 per
sons. II Will be moved to other cities.