The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-13

Preparedness Parade which will he
seen In the streets Of New York to.
day to be that this great city IL heart
and soul for action BY Congress that
will give the country a greater navy
md land forces strong enough In
numbers and trimming to defend It
successfully against m invader.
We do not know how many men
and women will march through the
streets and pass the reviewing stand
Limitations Of time and space are
MEMORABLE. Every trade, occupation
and profession will be represented:
and this army Of civilians, whatever
Its total, will he only representative
after all. Ten times It's number would
like to have a place in the procession
to prove their patriotism, for that Ia
the lmpelling motive Of the paraders.
n you are not for preparedness you
are not patriotic-that Is their feel.
Ing. We have said that the paraders
will he representative after all +; and
by that Is meant that their demonstra-
ton will have the approval Of the
great majority Of the people Of this
city. five millions and more. Not only
do thoughtful men realize that the
country must rouse from its lethargy
and arm to prevent war by being
ready to resist aggression. but pre-
p~aredness as an idea Is popular with
the crowd.
There has never been any doubt
Of the success Of the Citizens Parade
1t has been well advertised and we'll
organized. and business houses have
combined TO release their employees
to take part In the great demonstra-
ton. New York IL putting Its best
foot forward to show the nation that
1t Is tremendously in earnest about
preparedness and to impress Con
gress. which needs the spur. We
hope New York IL not only turning out
to-day to make a public spectacle but
Is doing some solid thinking about
what preparedness really IL. We
| should like to see the following nd
monition by Mr.. Roof carried on n
banner In the procession:
cit Is time that We should consider
what service We can perform In return
for the liberty. the peace and tho oppor-
tun!ty which we enjoy. Rare. indeed.
Is that American who asks. What can
| give for my country The republic
cannot continue unless the people are
willing to render service TO the Govern
ment. Let US be ready to serve our
country well in the hour Of need"
Preparedness something
more than q navy and a uniformed
army, 70 many ships and sailors and
so many battalions Of soldiers; and
II means more than efficiency and re-
serve ammunition. The people must
stand ready behind the army and
navy "to render service to the Gov.
ernment." as Mr.. ROOF says, before
we have complete preparedness. Two
thoughts should be In the mind Of
every man marching in the Citizens
Parade to-day. He should reflect that
numbers such as he e before him,
and behind him whenever he halts,
would be only food for powder with
out systematic and scientific training
there was never n greater travesty
on war than Mr.. BRyAN's million men
who were to spring In a day to Amer
ica's defence; and the parader should
he able to answer afirmatively the
question. would ! go to the front II
the emergency came, as I am march.
ing nOw?"
And as the great procession breaks
up each man should VOW that he will
use his influence with Congress to
have preparedness directed by the spe-
cinlists whom the Government trains
at West Point and Annapolis. and
never on any account entrusted to the
politicians and other time serving In.
competents. This Is vital.
Jack Ashore In the Canal Zone.
The secretary Of the American Sea-
mems Friend Society. after n visit
to the Canal Zone, reDOrted that when