New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-14
PREPAREDNESS AND LOYALTY
The Two Great Requisites Of TIL
Hour in America.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Two questions OF vital imporsra
are uppermost in the minds and upon u,
lips OF every thoughtful man and vonn
throughout our great and beloved land
preparedness and loyalty 20 the nation. n,
necessity for human preparedness in any 81.
cessful enterprise or walk OF life is aIiomsiit
The present need of preparedness, as M
ton. i. clearly and forcbly set forth in he
recent report Of the United States War Co.
lege, viz: "The safeguard Of isolation re
longer exists. The oceans, once barriers, a,
now easy avenues Of approach, by reason d
the number, speed and carrying capacity q
ocean going vessel. TIE increasing rsdi e.
action of the submarine, the aeroplsne srt
wireless telegrsphy all supplement oe,r
transport in placing our Atlantic and Picii,
coasts within the sphere OF hostile activities
of oversee nations. The great mass OF ih
public does not yet realize the effect OF Tie"
changed conditions upon our scheme OF "
fence" This is timely and practical wan
ing from conceded experts 20 the gov.r''
ment. and through il 10 the people st ls's'
However ignorant generally speaking ~
people Of this country may be OF the TACT
Las nevertheless been demonstrated tN
troops could more easily be ferried acres
the Atlantic to attack US cosstwl's nai y
was to overrun heroic Belgium, because 'sD'
ity 10 resist is so far inferior.
The argument advanced by some, nn !"
will never be attacked II We do not prtr'H
TO fight, is too fatuous 20 notice Our g."
Washington. whose birth all peoples boa"
together By an unquenchable love OF ii'sr'
and equality under the Stars and strip"
this great nation) vic to honor to-day wv
22d). believed in and advocated pfep'N.
ness His fifth annual address 'Deeen~ ,
1889 to the Congress Of the United San'
of America i. wonderfully prophetic ara !"
present world conditions. Hear him;
:" I cannot recommend TO gear |"
ticc measures for the fulflment o. '.
duties TO the rest OF the world without 'p.
pressing upon you the necessity OF p"I
ourselves in a condition Of complete ceen',
and OF exacting from them the fulhinen'
their duties toward Us. The United
ought not to indulge a persuasion IN" ~
trary 10 the order Of human events
will forever keep at a distance those ps1',,
appeals TO arms with which the nis"H
every other nation abounds. There Dsn =,
due 10 the United States among na'~
which will be withheld. II not Soso!uveV ="
By the reputation OF weakness. We"
sire to avoid insult, We must he aole ~, -,
it; il We desire 10 secure peace, orc
most powerful instruments OF our
prosperity. il must be known that We
all times ready for war
Washington likewise was loyal 70
ton as whole; and always insis"o
such loyalty. One Of his patriotic arc
utterances proves beyond pers'" IS.
where he stood on this All imporsN -,
ject Questioned a. 10 whom aHegs'
first due, he replied. 81 Am not a N,'s ..,.,
am an American" let Us at, theN
study the lives and wise sayings oil 49,,
greatest men this country lor any IL
ever produced Washington and LIZ
and learn from them what true pAI'Vy .,.
and means: and strive 20 be not New
ers. New Englsnders, Vrgnian'
Californians, Tllinoi.sns, or any o'.
calityitcs. but first and always real Arr,....Ns
ready as loyal citizens Of this grea' ~ ~ ~!
regardless Of racial ties) 20 hgn' ~ COX
be- and die under the starry DAMN, ..,r
Glory" to uphold and preserve the r,
and honor OF this land Of freedom ,.r'
ton. United We stand. divided we orrs
J. HOMER HILphh'"
New York Feb % 1916.