New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-13

Of our policy. The lamentable fate OF
Belgium has shown that no justice IN
legislation or success in business Will
be of the slightest avail IL the nation
has not prepared In advance the
strength TO protect its rights. There
must be not merely preparedness in
things material; there must be pre-
paredness in soul and mind.
"A plan for national defence which
does not include the most farreachlng
use and cooperation OF our railroads
must prove largely futile. We must
have the most carefully thought out
organization Of the railroads, from the
national and centralized standpoint, IN
order 20 use them IN time OF war"
The speaker declared that all indus
trial disturbances should be eliminated
as an essential part Of preparedness.
He declared that the strike situation
in the United States at this time was
a scandal 70 the country as whole,
and discreditable alike 10 employer
and omploye He told the Knights Of
Columbus that they were particularly
fitted 70 play great part IN the move
ment for national solidarity. Re
ferring to the recent efforts Of the Aus
trian Ambassador and representatives
countrymen. whether naturalized or
not, he said the fact had been brought
home in startling fashion that many
of the elements Of the nation were not
properly fused.
Nor Is Il only the Germans and
Austrians," he continued, who take
the view that as a matter of right
they can treat their countrymen resi-
dent in America, even if naturalized
citizens of the United States, %o their
allies and subjects TO be used In keep
ing alive separate national groups pro-
foundiy anti-American in sentiment II
the contest comes between American
interests and those OF foreign lands IN
question. IL has recently been an
nounced that the Russian government
is 10 rent a house in New York as
rational centre, to be Russian in faith
and patriotism, to foster the Russian
language and keep alive the national
feeling in immigrants who come hither
All of this is utterly antagonistic to
proper American sentiment, whether
perpetrated in the name of Germany,
Ct Austria, of Russia, of England, or
France, or any other country.
81 am certain that the only perma-
nently safe attitude for this country
al regards national preparedness for
self-defence is along its lines of uni
versal service on the Swiss model.
Switzerland is the most democratic Of
nations. It's army is the most demo
cratic army in the world. There isn't
a touch of militarism or aggressiveness
about Switzerland. 1t has been found
as a matter of actual practical expert
ence in Switzerland that the universal
military training has made very
marked increase in social efficiency and
in the ability Of the man thus trained
10 do we'll for himself in industry"
Urging better national defence,
Colonel Roosevelt said that not only
should the army and navy be greatly
increased and battleships, submarines.
ample coast and field artillery and
greater ammunition supply system be
provided, but there should be utili-
cation of the ownership and manage
ment of motor cars, of aviation and en-
gineering, an increase in map-making
and road improvements and the bring
ing of the railroads into intimate touch
with the War Department.
The Colonel finished with strong
Flea to all creeds and all nationalities
TO Join in a spirit Of true patriotism
and work for a greater and better
America.
Justice Victor Bowling, who pre-
sided. spoke Of the purposes Of the
Knights of Columbus organization. He
described the fourth degree of the or
der and told of how it dwelt upon duties
rather than rights. particularly upon
the grent duties of patriotism and o.
nationai spirit. Cardinal Farley was
represented by Mgr. Mooney.
A vocal and instrumental programme
uas rendered