The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-08-12
EXPLODING SOME PALACES

/ In his address before the graduating
class at Norwich University last June,
Major General Wood made some re-
marks that are Of peculiar interest
just now when the question Of nation
81 defense occupies a prominent posi-
ton in the public mind Whether
General Wood aimed directly at ex-
ploding some popular falacies is not
known, but whether this was his in
tention or not, his words will serve
that purpose. Those who believe that
Americans have inherent fighting
qualities which make then able to lick
four or FIVE foreigners apiece without
any previous training; those who
think that an army can spring TO
arms in ~ hours, as Mr. Bryan insists
is possible, and those who entertain
other ideas which conflict with the
proposition Of systematic preparation
against the time of possible war, will
find in the following few paragraphs
ample food for thought from General
Wood, who is an expert, if the coun-
try is at all able 10 boast of one
Dictates of true humanity will be
followed in seeing to it that your
youth are trained so that If we have
to sacrifice them in war the sacrifice
may be reduced to the lowest terms
in cost in blood and life, and give the
largest possible returns in the way of
efficient service. We do not want a
big standing army, but one big
enough for the needs Of the day, and
back Of il we want the largest pos
sible number of men who while fol
lowing their normal industrial or pro
fessional lives have been trained, and
are ready to come to the counuy's SER
vice in time Of need If necessary
This is real preparation not for war
but against it. 1t is the best insur-
ance for peace. All our early presi-
dents advised our people in effect that
the best way to preserve peace is to
be prepared for war.
eve can in my opinion make rea-
sonable preparation for war on the
lines above indicated, and without Civ
ing up any Of our ideals or striving
for world peace. We can with pro
priety and with wisdom make such
degree of preparation as must appeal
to the thinking people as necessary in
view Of the times and conditions UNI
der which we live. You must remem-
Der that we have no special qualifica-
lions which tend to make us efficient
soldiers without training Our people
as people are no longer skilled in
the use of arms. In fact, it may be
said that the use of the military rifle
is known to but very small percent
age of our men. The weapons Of to-
day are more complicated than ever
before. The state of preparation of
the great military powers more com
plete than ever before. Rapidity of |
transportation greater than ever be- |
fore, So that everything has tended |
more and more to the favor of the pre-
pared aggressor, and more and more I
to the disadvantage of the unready |
pacific nation.
Training to be soldiers is perhaps /
more necessary than training for most
other things. If at the approach Of F
The football season your men, knowing
there is long series Of games ahead,
their willingness to play
out stated that because of peculiar
qualifications inherent in them, as
Americans, they would not train, as
;erting, however, that they could lick
my team that could be brought
against them, you, because you had
IN football, would have
title patience with such utterly silly
ak.
"Those of us who know something
If the preparation for war are equally
of this idle, foolish talk
lbout raising armies over night or
men springing to arms efficient and
eady soldiers without training. These
doctrines are dangerous to the very
ife of the country. Our boys must
AVE thorough training if they are to
e efficient None Of you would thinl,