The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-01-20
ANOTHER LETTER
FROM The LEAGUE
Rev. w. Z. Weaver Of DOUGLASS.
Wyoming Will Speak at 3. 3. 3.
Saturday Evening
TO SPEAK ON PREPAREDNESS
And Everybody Should Hear Him
Give His 8txty.Seven Reasons
Why We Should Prepare


Why We Should Prepare
Washington, January 2ist: The
Reverend w. X. Weaver of Doug
las, Wyoming, vice-chairman of
the Wyoming State Committee of
the Navy League of the United
States, will deliver an address in
Wahpeton Saturday, on the need
of dequate national preparedness.
DR.. Weaver who is on tour of
education for the Navy League
that will cover five states will ex-
plain just why it is necessary for
the great inland states to join in
the preparedness movement as it
is for the coast communities. The
finland Empire" may be secure
from actual invasion in event of
war between a strong foreign pow
er and the United States, but it
would be called on to bear the
brunt of the financial burden of
the whole country's resistance.
Until recently citizens of COM
munities not ON or near either
coast were inclined to be indiffer-
ent to the preparedness move
ment. But the work of the Navy
League has convinced them that
their interests are also at stake,
and the result has been a grow
ing demand for more information
about the League. DR.. Weaver is
one Of the several able speakers
thoroughly acquainted with the
needs of this country and pre-
sent conditions, who have espec-
tally assigned by the Navy League
to meet this demand for enlight-
ment.
The Navy League is the Oldest
and best organized of the Nation
al Defense Societies. 1t was found
ed in 1901 and is in essence a
society to insure the United States
against the possibility of ever be-
ing invaded.
The above letter was received
yesterday and it explains fully
just what the Navy League is up
to. Last week we published let
ter that passed between Clyde H.
Tavenner, a congressman from
Illinois, (Democrat}, and follow
ing is a speech made by Senator
Cummins, progressive republican,
on the defense problem:
"The elimination of private pro
fit as an influence for war, by the
government of all war munitions,
was urged in the senate by Sena-
tor Cummins of Iowa. He pleaded
for the prompt adoption of res
olution which would authorize a
special committee to inquire into
the most feasible plan for acquir-
ing and constructing plants to
supply the army and navy with
all arms. ammunition and equip
ment. including ships, and to re-
port on legislation necessary to
prevent the private manufacture
of such products.
Il agree that war may come to
this country" Cummins declared,
'but if it comes. it must be the
result of the calm, dispassionato
loyal purpose to meet the lawful
scourage because there is no 9TH
er way of defending our civiliza-
tiOn, our institutions and our hon
or.
Il do not assert that every per-
son or corporation which may pro
tit from war would incite war, but
I do assert that all such persons
and associations are not compe-
tent to Judge the controversies
which may lead to conflict. and in
as much as they cannot be remov-
ed from the business out Of
which the interest grows. 1t ought
to be made impossible SO far as
the power Of the government is
concerned, for any man or cor
pOratiOn to make money out of
war.
I'VE need just now, above all
other things re-baptism in Am
ericanism. To me Americanism
means fidelity to American inter-
ests, loyalty to American instltu-
tions, pride in our past and con-
fidence in our future. 1t means a
spirit that commands men to live
for their country. and if neces-
sary to die for it, but l. for one,
am not willing that Americanism
shall be defined and standardized
by millionaire munition makers
or by the brokers. bankers or back
ers who share their blood stained
profits.
I'm this critical moment what is
the attitude Of the makers of arms
and munitions?
"Without exception, so far as l
know, they are insisting on the
most comprehensive program
which it is possible to conceive,