The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-05-31

its easy confidence IN peace and its en-
ioyment OF material prosperity and
prepare for emergencies which de-
cade ago seemed impossible. In tho
days OF the Civil war citizen sol
dlery numbered by the millions un-
trained 10 arms were called TO the
battlefield; us result, the contest
was long and the result for years
seemed doubtful. Thousands upon
thousands, men as patriotic as ever
fought for their country were slain IN
combat or died OF disease. because OF
tnoir lack OF discipline. A pressing
duty rests upon the country TO pre-
pare itself for all emergencies of the
future; 1t Is the duty OF every patrloi-
lc citizen TO be ready for that which
the future has in store. We can no
longer place implicit trust upon
treaties or agreements for arbitration;
these become mere scraps of paper III
q time when there is supreme desire
to win and every implement OF destruc-
ton is eagerly resorted to in the des-
porate struggle for victory War in
this year of 1916 has none Of the ro-
nance which characterized II in the
days of Napoleon or the wars Of tho
last half Of the nineteenth century.
Then armies stood over against each
other and responded TO the bugle or
tho sound OF martial music, right
brayely moving forward to the charge.
Decisive results sometimes ensued
from u single battle on the open plain.
Now war is u matter of the highest
development of mechanism, carefully
prepared trenches, poisonous gases,
curtains Of hrei the conflict is waged
by bombs dropped from tho air and
by tho turtlve approach of the subma-
rlno in tho sea. The most perfect
equipment for battle is required. long
and careful preparation IL requisite
II a nation would sustain itself in this
day OF frlghtful instruments of slaugh-
tor. No agreements between nations
can BIO relied upon us an assurance Of
peace unless It is accompanied by dis
armament, and the lessenIng OF tho
size OF armies and OF navies Maybe
such agreements will follow this war,
but OF this, no one can DO sure. When
the world Is aiiame and passions of
hate and destruction are let loose in
the world, our first duty as a nation
is adequate preparedness TO defend
our borders and maintain our honour
and rights us nation. Even though
this preparedness should be consider
cd merely as a means of insurance
against possible evils, it is neverthe-
less essential. We are not now living
in the tranquil times of universal
peace. Tens OF millions are engaged
in war in supreme struggle for the
mastery OF the world. Our duty should
be that OF neutrality and that of I'M
partially. not neglectlng however TO
assert our rights against any OF the
combatants II they violate great prln-
ciples Of International law. But in
this attitude there is little that prom
Uses Of friendship in the future. The
neutral is never popular; he cannot
readily gain the favor of either COM
blatant, and we must anticipate that
when the war is over We may have the
ill-will of victor and vanquished alike.
"The question Of compulsory mill
tary service is one which has been
much discussed. In tho days when
these men before me enlisted, there
was an almost universal readiness to
make any sacrifice for the sake Of the
country, but now, imbued with the
spirit of materialism in this age of
invention and of marvellous opportuni-
ty for lettering conditions, we cannot
be sure that however grave the dan
ger might be, sufficient number
would offer their services. Again.
without military discipline and pre-
paredness for tho struggle, our ar
mics, however large, might be moved
down by the contendIng nations hav-
ing soldiers Of adequate training
Among the many millions who are
suited for military service. there
should be sufficient number trained
for war whether discipline be afforded
by schools and colleges or by prac-
tically universal training of those OF
military ago after the model Of Swift
zerland or Australia. This statement
is made with no bellicose disposition,
nor desire for aggression, but with
full realization Of the frightful pos
sibilities of the time. We still cherish
the ideals of peace. and hope that the
time will come when controversies be-
tween nations, however strong or
weak, will be settled by the orderly
processes Of Justice 1t Is no dream
of the idealist to look for such time
but the contamination OF our hopes
ADD BURTON-GA1A g.. -. 80.
may be long deferred.
"ln the enjoyment Of the transcen-
dent blessings Of peace, we little re-
alIze the Importance of what is going
or in the world around us. 1t is a