Evening star., 1915-12-18
BATTLE CRY Of PEACE"
THRILLS BIG AUDIENCE
Representative Civilian, Official and
Military Gathering Sees Movie
Film and Hears Addresses.
Question of National Preparedness
Discussed by Speakers at Cont
mental Memorial Hall.

eHCe, CIVILIAN, OfHClal ana military
gathered to consider the question OF
national defense at the presentation
last night at the Continental Memorial
Hall of the moving picture film, 'The
Battle Cry of Peace shown under the
auspices of the Daughters of the
American Revolution. Between the
reels prominent preparedness advocates
addressed the audience, and between
the graphic film story and the words
of the speakers a feeling of patriot
ism swept those present
There is no duty more sacred to
this great society than to work tire
lessly for the proper defense of our
nation by land and sea-" declared Mrs.
William Cumming Story. president
assisted by other national officers and
officers of the District of Columbia
Daughters. Gathered in this hall" con-
tinued Mrs Story, dedicated to those
who fought and died in order that the
United States might be born, we should
feel. every one of US, that our best ef-
fort should be given to bringing about
this adequate defense"
Others speakers included ]. Stuart
Blackton. who wrote the scenario of the
film story; Dudley Field Malone, collec-
tor for the port of New York; Repre-
sentative Gardner of Massachusetts,
and Rear Admiral Chester. L. S. n.
president of the Sons of the American
Revolution.
Can Be Safely Left to Congress.
'The program of greater national
defense" declared Mr.. Malone. "can be
safely left to Congress. 1t has never
failed the people when it was con-
scious of just what the will of the
people was, and in the matter of a
bigger and better army and navy there
can be no doubt that the wishes of
practically the whole population are
known.
ut Is high time that we should cease
to crowd the indulgence of very
gracious Providence. Cannon have no
eyes, it is said. 1t may well be that at
the conclusion of the European war,
with several great nations bristling
with armament, their cannon will have
no eyes as far as altruistic America is
concerned. We do not wish to prepare
against any particular nation or war,
but we Wish to be prepared against any
and every aggressor.
Thorough Preparation Advised.
I'VE should either be prepared abso-
lutely, or not at ALL" said Commodore
Blackton, in the course Of very frank
discussion. 1T is the desire Of every
decent citizen, I believe. that we should
be better prepared than we are"
President Wilson's recent stand
against untoward activities of foreign
agents in the United States was highly
praised by Mr.. Blackton. He spoke OF
President Wilson as one whose hand
irfix <iff ,hNI1
Mr.. Blackton pointed out what he de-
clared was a great weakness and a
great necessity of the United States
The great necessity is standing army
big enough to make this country fear
ed and respected" to be brought about
by a system of universal military serv-
ice perhaps modelled after the system in
force in Switzerland. The great weak
ness of the republic. according to Mr.
Blackton, is that the expert opinions
and demands of army and navy officials
of law by those who have not the
knowledge in military things that the
officers and experts possess.
Its Second Presentation.
Last night was the second time tina,
The Battle Cry of Peace" has been
shown in Washington. it having beer
, recently exhibited at the National Pres:
Club. In the f1lm is depicted, in q
reverential manner, but with no mine
| ing Of words or scenes. just what might
| happen to the United States were il
attacked in it's present unprepared con
| dition.
| There was no forcing of thrills, tears
| or smiles last night. Every spectator
| in the big audience was wrought upor
| as the makers OF the film intended he
should be, and every spectator left the
| hall last night, following a brilliant
reception to Mrs Story, with but one
| resolve in his heart-to work. as Mrs
Story asked, for better national de-
fense for the country.
Mrs. Story extended thanks to Mrs
Frank +. Greenawalt, state regent OF
the District d. A. r., and to the mem.
| bers of the committee on arrangements
of which Mrs. Greenawalt was chair.
| man, for their work for the patriotic
rally.