Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-23
REPEAT THE ADMONITI0N
OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
Patriotism and Unity of Thought
Dominate the Four Hundred and
Fifty Diners.
S. S. MENKEN POSTMASTER
Former Attorney General Wicker
sham. Senator Lodge and Mayor
Mitchell of New York Among
Advocates of Larger Forces.

'lf we desire to avoid insult we
must be able to repel it; if we de-
sire peace it must be known that
we are at all times ready for
war"
These words OF solemn warn
ing. written in the long ago by
George Washington. and made
timely today by the present prob
lens OF the nation. thrown upon
a screen last night with the
pictured form of the first Presi-
dent of the United States at a
banquet given by the National
Security League at the New Will
lard Hotel brought every person
present to his or her ieet, singing
The Star Spangled Banner" and
urging increased military prepar-
edncss for the country.
Call on Nation to Arm.
the scene marked dramatic moment
al the conclusion OF three day con-
vention Of the league, during which
some Of the biggest men of the coun-
try, republicans and desnecrSts- alike.
have called upon the nation to arm
and have brought to bear the most ex-
pert knowledge of the subject II came
banoae, % dei,Uered ede a1dres.ss bn asa.rs at the
Wick.ersham. former Attorney General:
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massa
'chus9etts. James NJ Beck. former as
sistaht attorney general: George Haven
Putnam. the Boston publisher. and
John iurroy Mitchell. mayor of New
York city. s Stanwood Menken, presi-
dent Of the league. presided as toast
master. having seated near him at the
guest table many prominent men of all
shades of political opinion
injecting into the patriotism and
unity OF thought that evidently domi-
mated those at the banquet note OF
warning. Mr.. Menken said he felt he
would be remiss If he did not say a
word of the danger of allowing enthu-
s.asm to inJure the cause OF increased
Military preparedness.
We must recognize the fact" Mr.
MenSen said, that the country's prob
lens as to preparedness are difficult
ones. many-sided ones. and that they
require the best thought and the most
honest patriotism that we possess
You must also be fair, and recognize
taat the problem of preparedness is
one that is going TO be very difficult
one for the administration TO solve
no matter how willing it may be, and
that we must be patient IL we are to
achieve success"
Defense Conference of Mayors.
Mr. Menhen announced that upon the
invitation of the city of ST Louis and
with the cooperation of the mayor
OF New York national defense con-
ference of mayors and MAYORS repre-
sentatiyes is TO be held in St. Louis
March ana I. The mayors and rep
sentatlveS u. the mayors of more than
are 10 take part
Seated at the guest table were Mr..
Meaken. Senator Lodge, Mr. wicker
sfam, Robert Bacon, former Secretary
or state: Henry J.. Stimson. former
Secretary OF War: George Won l.. Meyer,
FORMER Secretary Of the Nav. Luke
Il Wright. former Secretary OF War:
John j. Fitzgerald, chairman of the
committee on appropriations of the
hodse; Lemuei f. Padgett, Chairman
a. the House na"a: committee: Mayor
N:;cnel OF Eew York. George Haven
Putnam. Representative Gardner OF
NJ s:'schusetts. Maj. Ger. John f
Ot:Sau. comma ndIES the National
Guard OF New York: Mai Gen Hugh
SCOTT. chief OF staff Of the army. COL
Franklin q Brown. y. 6. y Y. New