The Washington times., 1915-09-08
LAWYER DEMANDS i
FULL:ARMED NATION
Tells Bankers That Expression,
"Too Proud to Fight" Used
by President, Is Absurd.

SEATTLE. Sept s.-nenry d. East
brook. New York lawyer. principal
speaker before the American Bankers
Association today. characterized Presi-
dent wilson's admonition to new citi-
zens that there Is such q thing as
being too proud to fight" as being
absurd and puerile."
The attorney was speaking on the
subject Of Self Defense" He declared
the European war no concern Of Amer
lea. except as some Of the belligerents
have trampled on American rights.
manity. he said. II we fail to safeguard
It. we are traitors to our forefathers.
Every dollar In the National Treasury
should stand pledged to its defense. he
declared. and continued:
"Weaker Than Dishwater."
mo nation threatens US in SO many
words: but who Is oblivious to hints
and intimations that speak louder than
words? We boast our strength to repel
attack when we know we are weaker
than dshwater. While every other ma
ton has been preparing for aggression
we have not made ready even for de-
fense. Is this state Of imbecility to
endure? Shall we continue to listen to
wandering Voice as imbecile ae our
condition? when this Voice was recent
lv removed from the councils of our
Government we thought. good easy
| souls. we had gotten rid Of It, and were
ready to cry out with Isaiah. We have
been with child We have been in pain.
we have. as II were. brought forth
wind. Has Mr.; BRYAN proved himself
can afford to trust him for the future?
Personally have never believed in Mr..
Bryans wisdom. and ! grant him sin
ccri:y only because the point is not
worth arguing.
And vet l would heartily advocate
Mr.. Bryan's Quaker policy Of monroe
sistancc rather than a policy of hsif-
prepa aredness. l had rather scrap every
to add to them.
TO say that we are too big or 100
, proud to fight in self-defense is. with all
respect to the estimable but mistaken
gentleman who said 1t. absurd and
pucrile. To say tina. a mob of a mil
lion or so of unframed citzenry could
leap to arms and put to flight the bull
let-tcsted soldiery of Asia or of Europe
Is worse than puerile-it is perverse
stupidity. The Vaccinations agains:
this government at the moment are
more subterrancan than submarine. Our
duty Is IS defend against both We are
permitted no alternative. We must
! forthwith spend money for defense, and
lots of it. We must know that we are
safe even from! the temptation of at
tack. Our peace and future happiness
depend upon this assurance.
Experts Should Decide Policy.
"A free people, says Washington,
should be armed and disciplined accord
ing to some We'll adjusted plan. Whose
= plan? should say that the recommenda.
( :ions In the first instance should come
| from our military experts. and that
In so far as their recommendations were
unanimous. they should be adopted
!. without much debate and regardless OF
Z cost. with the understanding, however
, :hnt the sole purpose to be subserved
r Is not conquest. but self-defense. This
= simplifies and limits the problem al
we'll as the expense. 1t means obvious
: ly big navy-as big as any navy In
o the world-with every flying. diving
o amphibloLs auxiliary that can add tc
= :ions and means to boot-munitions fol
q years campaign at least always IL
= cold storage.
e 1t means US many naval officers anc
n men as may be necessary easily t
e operate the machinery furnished by tn,
Government. And inasmuch as most o
the machinery will be complicated ant
scientific. ii means officers and men o
, brains and technical training. Blu: Thu
sort of men can at all times find lucra
I tive employment in private life. which
. means that the Government must out
bid the market for thcir services. In
| surance will cost money, but it is wortl
= the price"
( chant marine as an auxiliary to tn
z navy, and said 0,e La Toilette act pre-
/ vented the acqukemcnt of merchAA
Z marine.
: Governor Lister and Mayor Gill helpe
Il welcome the hundreds of bankers q
= the first general session Of the conveu
ton today.