New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-14
Tells Cadets II Consists in
Putting u. S. Principles
Above All Else.
TAKES YELLED BLOW
AT HYPHENATES
President Makes Strong Pre-
paredneSS Plea-HaS Always
Feared Silent Man.
FrOn star corrsponasa, Of Tho THsun'l

tFrcn a star Correspondent o. Tho Trihunel
West Point. June l3.-President Will
son to-day delivered at the graduating
exercises Of the United States Military
Academy his first public address since
the selection of the Republican Presi-
Dental candidate Avoiding what may be
the more concrete issues of the coming
campaign, he confined himself TO a dis
cussioa of general national problems
Perhaps the most enthusiastically re-
ceived note in the Presidents address
was his strong advocacy of a genuine,
sterling Americanism. which he defined
as "the utter belief in the principles Of
America and putting them first as
above anything that might by chance
come into competition with it," and his
plea for a preparedness so stanch
that when America speaks mankind
will know that she means what she
says Interlaced with these two chief
themes he carried the ideal of the
United States as a protector Of the
weaker nations, ready to join with
other nations Of the world to see that
the kind of justice is done that We be-
lieve in"
Fears Silent Man"
There was yelled blow at the
hyphen when the President referred to
those Americans who love other coun-
tries above the one of their adoption.
His audience caught a vein Of humor
probably not intended when he told Of
how he had never feared the NOISY
man." but had always been afraid Of
the silent man who never said much.
He decried militarism and pointed out
wherein American preparedness would
be free from this spirit.
Mr.. Wilson seemed TO experience not
a little difficulty in precisely classify
ing the members Of the graduating
class, TO whom his address was ostensi-
bly, made He referred to them alter
nately as "you boys" you youngsters
gentlemen" and soldiers" 1t was sell
dom that generous applause followed
"you boys" or "you youngsters" salu-
tation.
The Presidential yacht Mayfower
dropped anchor off West Point shortly
after o'clock this morning, having
steamed up the Hudson from Seventy
ninth Street, New York, where Mr..
Wilson and his party boarded her late
last evening At $3.50 a salute Of TWEEN
ty-one guns doomed from the shore.
1t was returned by the Mayflower, and
Immediately the tender set out for the
West Point pier.
The President and Mrs. Wilson were
the first 70 land, and were greeted by
Colonel c. P. Townsley, superintendent
OF the academy, and three other Off
GERS. They were followed by Colonel
Harris, military aid to the President,
and bv Robert L. Berry, commander Of
the Mayfower Mrs. Wilson wore
simple white dress, with great bunch
of orchids at her girdle, wide
brimmed white hat and white slippers
with silver buckles. The President was
dressed in black.
Exercises Held in Open.
Behind the pier a special detachment
Of colored cavalry was waiting TO es-
cort the Presidential party up the wind
ing roadway that leads 10 the academy.
The troopers stood with their sword
hilts TO their chins while the EXecu-
tive assisted Mrs Wilson into . wait
ing automobile. then set off at 2 deau
gallop 10 clear the road for the car.
The President found the 700 students
OF the academy lined in a semicircle
along the driveway which approaches
the parade ground. They wore their
PICTURESQUE, dandy uniforms-whte
trousers, gray coats and high-topped
plumed caps-and stood at salute while
the automobile passed. After the
Presidential party had taken seats at
the border of the parade ground the
cadets, marching faultlessly and like
human machine, threw themselves in
long, straight line across the field. Ac-
companied by the tactical staff Of the
academy Mr.. Wilson walked before and
behind the perfect line, then returned
10 his seat to watch the cadets pass
from the field at double quick"
The commencement exercises proper
we're held in the open, az the foot Of
Battle Monument, on a high point Of
ground commanding a magnificent
III sweep Of the Hudson and the towering,
y wood-tangled hills beyond.
The weather was perfect. Mr.. Will
son delivered his address from beneath
canopy Of flags at the base Of the
monument, with twoscore of distin-
guished military officers ranged behind
him. Mrs. Wilson did not sit beneath
the flag canopy, but took up her posi-
tion with several Of the officers wives
TO the right of the improvised platform.
Breaks 2O-Year Precedent.
The President handed the diplomas
70 each of the l24 members of the
graduating class. II was recalled at
the academy that not within the last
twenty years had a President oficiated
st West Point commencement.
The President said:
81 look upon this body Of men who
are graduating to-day with a peculiar
interest feel like congratulating
them that they are living in day not
only so interesting, because fraught
with change, but also because so re-
sponsibe Days of responsibility are
the only days that count in time, be-
cause they are the only days that give
test of quality. They are the only
days when manhood and purpose are
tried out as If by FIRE.
IL need not tell you young gentle
men that you are not like an ordinary
graduating class of one of our uni
versities. The men in those classes
look forward 20 the life which they
are TO lead after graduation with
great many questions in their minds.
Most of them do not know exactly
what their lives are going 10 develop