Evening journal., 1916-04-19
IRRATIONAL PREPAREDNESS" ADVOCATED BY
GEN. DUPONT AT Big BUSINESS GATHERING
IRRATIONAL

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL
PHILADELPHIA. April 19.-Speak-
ing before the Poor Richard Club, fol-
lowing a luncheon in his honor Cen
eral r. Coleman DUPONT. Delawares
"favorite son. delivered what is re-
garded as his keynote" speech at
noon today.
The spacious diningrOom Of the
clubhouse was packed with members
of the organization and included
leaders in the commercial, financial
and political life Of Philadelphia.
General duPonts remarks on world
conditions. as they affect the United
States, rational preparedness and
his call to arms for the commercial
war which he predicted would he
waged against American industries.
we're greeted with rounds of applause.
General DUPONT said.
1T seems to me that when bust
ness men are gathered together the
question to be considered most profit
ably is how the genius and success OF
Sur business men can best be employed
in public Office for the welfare of all
our people. / believe American bust
ness men i'm general will agree with
me that more than ever before we
must realize the wisdom and neces-
sity of bringing to the aid Of govern
ment our best business brains.
I'VE always have been and l trust,
always shall be a nation devoted TO
the pursuits of peace. Our structure
is essentially one of commerce and
industry. All of us. directly or indi-
rectly. find our interests inseparably
interviewer in the business fabric OF
the country so that in needing our
commercial welfare We are but at
tending to the well being of all.
I'VE are living in a time when
strange and incredible things are be
ing evolved from the catch-phrase'
national preparedness. The biggest
navy in the world. a huge standing
army. enormous appropriations Tor
forts and fighting are few OF the
doctrines advocated by the actual or
self-appointed leaders of various rae
lions OF the political parties. Ma
tional preparedness exploited with
magnitude that is characteristic ol
warped vision and a zeal that rs the
attribute Of hysteria. takes no knowl-
edge either Of the material needs ol
the country or the actual military
problems confronting us.
Rational Preparedness.
"Instead of national preparedness,
il would be well if every citizen de
voted himself thoughtfully tC
Rational Preparedness. Instead o
the clainor for a military policy which
will drain the treasury and educate
the public mind to seek an enemy e
conGuer. we might. with advantage
to ourselves and the world, change
the old slogan, Millions for defense
but not one cent for tribute to Nil
lions for defense, but not one cent tol
aggression
LET me point out the apostles o
,nilitarism and prophets OF disaste
from abroad have selected as the time
for their ieremiads that period Il
which the United States is free fron
the slightest danger Of foreign ag
gression. II is amusing 10 hear mel
saw we are threatened with belni
subiugated by countries who even be
fore the conclusion Of their grea
struggle are prostrated financially
commercially and industriously.
"Aritators are setting up over
nieht straw men to terrify the publ
into deserting its established prime
nles and ideals. We are urged b
noliticians and military fanatics I
4 arm ourselves against nothing. Le
ms avoid the quagmires OF the I'M
possibie. National preparedness a
4 IL is being preached has regar
neither for true statesmanship nor 10
real national welfare.
"The party in power after March
i 1917. should be that which advocate
rational preparedness Now, what ar
the things that rational preparedness
Il does not mean?
Not Based on Demands.
"It does not mean a standing arm
out of all proportion to our needs
+ defense. II does not mean compu
sorry military service. which rs iol
eign TO the spirit Of Americanism.
does not mean the imposition Of stal
gering burdens OF taxation upon III
81 public for needless militarisl
which. if forced upon our peopl
& would end in disaster.
i "Demag0gues. selfish politicians an
81 perhaps "A few greedy manufacturer
draw CHASTITY pictures Of how II
81 United States OF America is i'm daI
ger OF attack by a foreign foe, and
certain TO be conquered i'm the en-
81 unless We saddle ourselves with
tremendous standing army and II
biggest navy in the world.
"As a citizen OF the country whiC
abhors militarism, who has alwal
3 been interested in the military meet