Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-06-17
BRYAN IS AGAINST
STRONG DEFENSE
Former Secretary. I'm Third Statement,
Submits Argument Opposing
War Preparation

Washington. d. c. June l7.-Assert-
Ing that preparedness provokes rather
than prevents war and that the up
hraval In Europe was the result OF
false philosophy that might makes
right" former Secretary Bryan today
"a the second OF his series OF three
statements on The Causciess War,
submits an argument against military
preparation by the United states and
praises the course o. President Wilson
in the international emergency.
II any nation Is without excuse for
entering into a mad rivalry with the
bclliEerent nations in preparation for
var Il is the United States" says Mr.
Bryan. we are protected on either
side by thousand OF miles OF ocean
and this protection is worth more 10
Us than any number OF hattleships.
we have an additional protection
IN the fact, known 20 every one. that
We have the men with whom 20 form
an army OF defense n we are ever at
tackled. and Il is known also that We
have the money. to0-more money
than we would have had II all the sur
plus earnings % the people had been
invested IN armament. We not only
do not need additional preparation, I
but We are fortunate I'm not having II.
since % seems impossible for a ma
tlon 20 have what IS called prepared .
ness on the slightest provocation-
The leading participants in the /
present war are the nations that were I
best prepared and fear 10 would .
have been dihcult for as 20 keep out +
~ this war n we had been as well +.
prepared as they.
Happy for our nation that we have
in the White house az this time pres
Ideut who believes in setting the old .
world a good example. instead Of fol-
lowing the bad example, which IL sets
in this matter. What an unspeakahle I.
misfortune &, would have been IL, in
such an hour as this. the nation had
been under the leadership of presi-
dent infnmed by the false philosophy
which plunged Europe into the abyss
OF war
In preliminary discussion Of the
cause OF the European conflict Mr.
Bryan. IN n lengthy analysis Of the 4.
situation. argues that IL is no war OF
race. religion or families. and declares;
III I have correctly analysed the
situation. the war is the natural re-
suit OF q false philosophy. The
prcccpt OF this false phil
,sophy is that might makes right
Leading up 20 his argument against
preparation for war. by the United .
States. Mr.. Bryan SAYS;
we dare not trust the peace Of the
rnrid % those who spend their time
20 getting ready for wars that should
sever come. HaIf the energy employ
"A On preparing Tor war would effec-
ualiy prevent war O. used IN propagat-
nE the principles which make for
icacc. Instead OF preventing war.
provokes war. because u
s Impossible 20 cocrCe the people into
.r1rirr the burdens incident 20 con- =
iluous and Increasing preparation !
without cuifivlfiur hatred as % 90 were ]
natural virtue. There must be some
.-c 90 fear some other preparing ma !
ton that must be represented as plot "
ing for var. Ia
How can preparedness prevent war !
. Oh prcpare1 Zach step taken by O.,
ne nation toward more complete pre- !.
aretucss eNcites the other nations 10 .
ddiiiouai PURCHASES and new leyies. ;,
ntii all have exhausted their produc- :.
I've Industries and meuaced their =
ioral progress.
The doctrine that preparedness will -,
revent war will not stand the test OF =,
'gic and the connagration in Europe :
lows that IL fails when tested by eX- :,
erience." p