The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-10-07
WILSON IS
FOR DEFENCE
He Says America Ought to
Be Every Adequate
ly Prepared"
ADVISORY BOARD
HEARS PRESIDENT
He Urges Preparation, Not
for War. but for
Defense

outlined his attitude toward the nation
al defense question yesterday to the new
advisory board of the navy. He be-
lieved, he said, the whole nation was
convinced that we ought to be pre-
pared, not for war, but for defense, and
very adequately prepared"
| The board met in the office of Secre-
tary Daniels, who delivered brief adj
dress calling attention to the develop
ment of ordinance and instruments of
destruction during the present war in
Europe He paid tribute to the willing
ness with which Mr.. Edison and the
other members had offered their services
to make the country safe from attack.
Eve may not" the secretary eontn-
ued, expect to buiId the biggest navy in
the world, but with the help of this
| board we must have a navy every unit
of which shall be as nearly perfect as
American ingenuity makes possible"
Mr.. Daniels said laboratories and
places of research now used by the navy
were far too small for present needs and
that he hoped to secure the advice and
recommendations of the experts as to
LUe KIM vi Hdtlohdi iduoidtois HeSVcu.
In conclusion, he said;
"In this new day of invention and of
miracles of science have faith that you,
gentlemen, will be the leaders"
The president received the members of
the board, headed by Thomas A. Edison,
afetr their preliminary conference with
Secretary Daniels and navy officials. The
board later went with Secretary Daniels
to the naval proving grounds at Indian
Head, Md, on an inspection tour.
"There is very little that | can say to
you," President Wilson said, except TO
give you very cordial welcome and to
express my very great pleasure in this
association Of laymen with the govern
ment. But | do want to say this:
Il think the whole nation is convinced
that We ought to be prepared, not for
war, but for defense, and very adequate |
ly prepared; and that the preparation
for defense is not merely technical
matter that the army and navy alone /
can take care of, but matter in which /
we must have the cooperation of the
best brains and knowledge of the eoun-
try outside the official service of the 4
government as well as inside For my
part, | feel that ii is only in the spirit
OF true democracy that we get together
to lend such voluntary aid, the sort of
aid that comes from interest, from a
knowledge of the varied circumstances
that are involved in handling a nation.
Il want you to feel, those of you who
are coming TO the assistance of the pro-
fessional officers OF the government, that
we have very serious purpose; that
we have not asked you to associate your
self with us except for a very definite
and practical purpose. TO get you 10 give
us your best independent thoughts as to
how we ought TO make ready for any
duty that may fall upon the nation.
Il did not have to expound il TO you;
you know as well as do the spirit of
America. The spirit of America is one |
Of peace, but one of independence. IL is
4 spirit that is profoundly concerned !
with peace, because il can express itself 4
only in peace. IL is the spirit Of peace Z
md good will and OF human freedom l
put il is also the spirit of a nation that 7
$ self-conscious. that knows and loves (
Is mission in the world, and knows that !
I must command the respect of the q
world.
$50 il seems 20 me that we are not )
working as those who would change any n
hing OF America, but only as those who {
would safeguard everything in America. y
know that you viii enter into confer {
nee with the officers OF the navy In that 9
pirit and with that feeling and il !
makes me proud. gentlemen, that the ;
Iusy men Of America, the men who stood a
1 the front Of their professions, should :
e willing in this way TO associate them o
elves voluntarily with the government ;
q the task in which il needs all sorts Of n
xpTt and serious advice. Nothing /,
ught to h. done in this BY any single q
r0up Of persons Everything ought 10 =
. done BY all Of us united together and
welcome this association in the most 4
erious and grateful spirit" 4,
The president was warmly applauded n
y bis hearers. Secretary Daniels then y
Introduced each member II the board 90 =.
be president and be shook hands with !
bern all -
The trip 10 Indian Head was made ou :,
be presidential Yacht Mayfower, mem +,
ers Of Secretary Daniels advisory coun-
. Of depa ment officials accompanying 4.
- fr1rarfi0r fuuar~