Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-08
Preparedness I'm Spirit Arms
and Industry" Main Theme
of the Bull Moose Platform

CHICAGO. June Swinging declara-
tions of Americanism and for prepared
ness-military, spiritual, economic and
industrial-are keynotes of the pro-
gressive national platform. completed
today, in cooperation with the repub-
lican convention platform builders. The
progressive platform leaders hoped to
present their document to the conven-
ton today or tomorrow at the latest.
The 'Americanism'' planks. minus d.
rect reference to hyphenism, declared
in vigorous terms for UNFOLDING Ameri-
can rights on land and sea. guarding
the honor and influence of our nation"
and maintenance of the integrity OF
international law"
The platform also declares that the
supreme duty of civilization is to make
peace permanent after the war, for
which this nation should be prepared
in every sphere. Regarding military
preparedness. the platform declares for
"a navy restored to at least second
rank in battle efficiency" a standing
army of 100000 men and "a SYSTEM OF
universal military training citizen
soldiery-controlled by the national
government"
Conditions in Mexico.
Regarding Mexico. the platform as
serts that every resource of the gov
eminent should be forthwith used to
end these conditions"
Other platform declarations are for
woman suffrage. regulation of industry
and 'just distribution of its returns ;
conservation, re-esta biishment of the
American merchant marine, national
highways development. permanent
tariff commission and a protective
tariff.
The text of the platform as drafted
by the resolution committee follows:
This is the year Of decision for the
nations future. AS we now decide. so
we shall go forward in righteousness
and power. or backward in degradation
and weakness.
Foundations Of Our Life.
"Of necessity. we deal now with the
foundations of our national life. We
are facing elemental facts Of force. of
right and wrong, Of extreme national
peril Our present choice of path will
be irrevocable. The tradition of isola-
ton has been added. The United States
is now part Of world system Of civiliza-
ton. We stand or fall as we prepare
now to take our part in peace or war and
hold our own therein.
las members of an international COM
munity. we are subject to certain basic
duties.
ITO secure the rights and equal treat
ment of our citizens, native or natural
lied, on land and sea, without regard to
race. creed or nativity.
ITO guard the honor and uphold the
1ust influence of our nation.
m fnfain the integrity of Inter-
national law.
These are the corner stones of civil
ization. We must be strong to defend
them.
THE present war shows that it is the
supreme duty of civilization to create
conditions which will make peace per-
manent. Our country must be able and
ready to take Its part in that work
country is not the peace Of submission
and cowardice. but the peace of Justice.
War and It's evils will not be done away
with by suffering injustice to ourselves
or others. nor by pledging ourselves to
drastic action for international right II
we do not prepare the forces which
would sustain such action. We can
perform our rightful part in promoting
permanent international peace only by
a Willingness and prepared ability to
defend our own rights and the rights
of other nations. We earnestly desire
to keep the peace But there are high
er things that we must keep. as Wash
ington and Lincoln kept them for us.
Failure to deal firmly with the menace
of Mexican disorders has brought con-
ditions worse than warfare and has
weakened national self-respect Every
resource of government should be
forthwith used to end those conditions
and protect from outrage the lives,
honor and property of American men
and women in Mexico.
Adequate Provision for Defense.
Adequate provision for the common
defense has become the task Of fore
most national concern. We must be
ready. in spirit. arms and Industry.
Preparation in arms requires:
"A regular army of 100000 men fully
armed and trained. as first line of
land defense.
"A system Of military training ade-
auate to organize with promptness, be-
hind that first line of the army and
navy. a citizen soldiery supplied. armed
and controlled by the national govern
ment.
Is charged with the duty OF defending
his country. This duty is not new. It
has existed from the foundation of the
government. Under modern conditions
It cannot be performed without mill
tary training: service without training
means slaughte ter and disaster. Al the
nation has always recognized ana exsr-
cise69 the right to enforce compulsory