The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-23
NOT FOR PEACE AT ANY
PRICE.
The American Peace and Arbitration
League Explains Its Difference
Prom Some Other Peace Leagues.

FrVm SoWe Vtner fehce
To THE EDITOR or THE sus-sir: The
American Peace and Arbitration League
wishes to express its Appreciation OF the
distinct service the business men and
the college men are rendering to the
United States by their example to other
citizens and also for the serious work
they are doing in the Plattsburs and
other military camps.
The example Is timely. because of the
marked tendency in recent years TO
decry military service and discourage
preparedness on the part OF the United
States. This has been and Is the work
OF the peace at any price" societies
which believe that an example OF nom
military preparation will influence the
rest OF the world for peace. but events
In Europe should convince Americans
that this theory does not square with
the conditions. The world is lear ming
that law. order and authority are re-
spected. not only for the kindly spirit
%. good intentions'' but by the proper
ton OF force behind the same; that
treaties are worth only the power to
enforce them that life and property
are safest on land and sea when they
are In fact protected.
This does not mean that %.nllitar-
ism, so called. Is either necessary
or possible In the United States, but Il
does mean that patriotism and pre-
~raredness are necessary TO preserve a
nations life and maintain the blessings
OF peace. There are about sixty
peace at any price anti-armanent
and anti-enlistment societies in the
United states. with a membership OF less
49,. 49, 800 AN 49,. 80.
Quoting a vigorous anti-preparedness
campaign. apparently with ample
resources.
The American Peace and Arbitra-
ton League was organized in 1909
with the fundamental idea that ade-
quste armament for the United States.
under present world conditions, Is an
essential part Of A rational peace move
ment. The league believes In the United
States and In the Institutions guaran-
teed by the Federal Constitution. II
believes thai every citizen on es a SER
vice to the state which he cannot evade
and should not attempt to dodge We
maintain that every able bodied citi-
zen. whether he likes or d!slikes It. is
subject to military duty when called on
by the Government. and that all the
talk about any citizen volunteering or
not volunteering under certain condi-
tons Is not only against the explicit
mandates OF the Constitution. but is
contrary TO the spirit Of our institutions.
and the sooner the American people
recognize these facts and reconcile
themselves 10 them. the nearer we shall
approach peace and national security.
Every hoy and girl should have physi-
cal training in school and every young
man should have a preliminary milf
tary training along the lines OF the
Swis. method. beginning AZ ~.
Americans are a sensitive ind war
like people In spirit. Jealous OF their
rights and privileges and institutions.
hut We are not proport!onately pre-
pared 10 defend our own propositions
and live up to our own ideals AMI
aspirations. We need TO catch the
spirit of President Wilson's address be-
fore the Associated Press members last
April when he said ''Our whole duty
for the present 10 summed up in the
motto: America frst'"
The example set by the business men
IN military preparedness - simply a
revival OF the spirit of our fathers and
only differs in that the present move-
ment Is more scientific and better or
ganized than the Trust in God and
Keep o Powder Dry" Minute Men
of Revolutionary times The Minute
Men were men OF high purpose and
patriotic spirit. but lacked sadly in or
ganizstion, equipment, discipline and
efficiency.
The camp at Pla;tsburg is also doing
something worth while for the millions
Of men at home. II Ia causing men
and women to think seriously and to
realize that II Is entirely consistent
with Americas peace policies TO pre-
pare men for military service. and that
the higher the grade and qualifications
Of the college and business men par
ticipating. the less the danger OF mill
tarlsm and the greater the guarantee
Of peace.
The American Peace and Arbitration
League pledges its cooperation In the
military education OF a citizen sol
diery'' for the United States. for we be-
lieve hat this is an essential part OF
any practical and permanent peace
programme. This is not an opportune
time to talk about strengthening mill
tary armament In the United States"
The American people have founded
In the Western World a new country
with wide open doors for the oppressed
Of all other nations. and believe that
our institutions OF government are worth
p~reservinc, The duty Of preserving
these devolves upon all the men and
all the women in the United States
who are enjoying the blessings OF
liberty and freedom and the protection
of Sife and property under our flag
This may involve sacrifices. hut sacri-
fec is the spirit and essence Of high
aspirations and noble purposes. and the
more people in the United States
realize this fact the greater will he our
security and the wider our sphere OF in
nuence FOR world service.
The United States Government and
the Officers in charge are IN he con-
graduated for providing these camps
NJ instruction. Next year there should
he similar camps AT Chicago, Denver,
san Francisco. Chattanooga and Fort
Worth. \ winter camp IN Florida or
Porto Rico would also help. The Ma
tlonal Guard armories should he used
In winter for training prospective
reoruits. ANnREw r. HUMPHREY,
Director American Peace and .Arbitra-
ton League.
NEW YORK, August ~
EncIyYn HyrEnr |