Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-01


the territory between the Alleghanies
and the Rockies" The former Presi-
dent. speaking before the Illinois Bar
Association, discussed National Duty
and International Ideals. abiding to
conditions in Mexico and in Europe
end urging industrial and social as
well as military preparedness.
Il ask you of the West" he said,
ITO take the lead in the effort for
robust and virile Nationalism, fit and
ready to cope with ali possible dan
gers at home and abroad ask
for military preparedness as an arm to
help the soul of the Nation. l ask for
It to quicken the National conscience,
to help the National discipline
ask you to prepare so that we may
secure peace for ourselves and for
others: not the peace Of cowardice nor
the peace Of selfshness, but the peace
Of righteousness and of justice, the
PEACE Of brave men pledged to the ser
t'irn Of this mighty democratic Re-
public. and through that service
pledged also to the service Of the
world at large.
Amercanism on Trial
Our national character is in the
balance. Americanism is on trial. If
We produce merely the self seeking,
men loving, duty-shirking man,
whether he be A mere materialist or
mere silly sentimentalist: II we pro-
duce only the Americanism of the
CRATER and the mollycoddle and the
safety first, get-rich quick, peace-at-
any-price man, we will have produced
an American faithful only to the spir-
it of the Tories Of 1916 and the Cop
perheads of 1861, and fit only to van
ish from the earth
Col. Roosevelt said he did not agree
With those prophets of gloom who
have said that the West, prosperous
and Indifferent. secure in her fan
cied safety because she is In the mid
die of the continent. cares nothing Of
the dangers that might befall the cit
les on the Atlantic or the Pacific
coast, cares nothing for what has be-
fallen the dwellers along the Mexican
boundary"
"1f did," he declared, II should de-
spar Of the republic. The West is to a
peculiar degree the democratic, the in
tensely and Enthusiastically American.
section Of our land. The West produced
ham Lincoln and Andrew jackson, and l
know that their spirit is still the spirit
OF her sons I appeal to the men Of the
West to take the lead in the movement
for the genuine naturalization of our
people"
Discussing Industrial preparedness. Col
Roosevelt said he stood heartily for pro-
lection" by that mean not only pro-
IL h.
material interests of American working
men, farmers and business men, he ex-
planned. II also mean, and with even
greater emphasis. protection for the
whole American nation, protection for
American honor, protection for Ameri-
cas- self-respect, protection for Americas
position among the nations. protection for
her when she strives, as she ought to
strive, to bring peace to the rest of the
world. And there can be no such protec-
ton without thorough going preparation
military. social and industrial"
Tho Nations Failure
Col Roosevelt pointed to what he de-
clared to be the nations failure since the
European war began, declaring that the
House Of Representatives has taken
what measures it could to interfere with
the organizations on which we should
have to rely in any belated and hurried
efforts to meet our needs should we have
to act in support of our note (the first
American note to Germany and has
passed legislation excellently designed to
prevent all efficiency from the military
standpoint"
eff there is no war; Col. Roosevelt
continued. cit will be proof positive that
If IA months ago we had made it evident
that we meant what we said Germany
would have abandoned her submarine pol
icy and the lives Of thousands of nom
combatants would have been saved, so
that their blood is at our doors because
we failed. when we sent that note, to
show that we meant what we said
IF on the other hand war does come
it will be cruel and dreadful thing
that, having had the amplest oppor-
tunity to prepare for it on the largest
scale,( we drifted into it stern fore
most having shown ourself helplessly
unable to provide in the smallest de-
gree to make our vast strength effec-
tive
Col. Roosevelt reiterated his previ-
ously uttered opinions regarding
need for a large army and navy and
pointed to conditions in Europe and
Mexico as illustrating the country's
needs in this respect.
Discussing industrial preparedness.
Col Roosevelt declared that without
it there can be no full preparation
for military service"
Unless our industries are highly eff
flcient," he said. land moreover are
trained for this particular work in ad-
vance. the penalty will inevitably be
paid in the shape of dreadful loss of
life among our soldiers. Such a need
cannot be met by government-owned
and managed plants, although there
should be some such to serve as
checks and regulators. The need is to
train, to educate many business firms
by means Of giving them orders in
time Of peace for the various things
which the government would need in
enormous quantities in time Of war.
There should be a survey of the pro-
ducing resources Of the country and
the development and practical working
out in time OF peace of plans for min
imum annual educational orders to be