The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-26
But Nations Which Join Peace
Pact Must Be Able to En-
force Their Demands
MILITARY AND NAVAL
PREPAREDNESS URGED
Congress of Constructive Pa.
triot;sm Under Auspices Of
National Security League
Meets at Capital

Washing ton. Jan. 25-Military and
naval preparedness to hack up Presi-
dent Wilson's league to enforce peace
plan. was demanded nere tonight by
| Elihu Root, OF New York. speaking
before a congress OF constructive pa
triotisn, under the auspices OF the
National Security League. The form
er Secretary OF State declared he fully
sym pathized with the Presidente
peace purpose as outlined in his re-
cent Senate speech. but added that
such an agreement among nations TO
maintain peace, would be worthless
and meaningless unless the nations
entering into the compact keep their
full power behind it.
Mr.. Root said Much noble ideal
ISM was to be found in the Presi-
dents utterances. and continued:
The kind of peace he describes Is
the peace that long for But the
way he seeks to preserve that peace is
by preparation for war, 1t will be a
worthless agreement on our part II we
haven't a ship. or a soldier that we
can contribute to the war. II war
there ought to be. for the maintenance
OF that peace. And II absolutely re-
quires that we shall build up force.
a potential power of arms commensu-
rate with our size, our numbers. our
wealth. our dignity, our part among
the nations Of the earth" Ringin &
applause from the 2.o0o or more that
jammed the hall punctuated the re-
marks OF the speaker.
Must Re Peace without victory"
The Presidents declaration that
peace must be peace without VIC
fnyv$s AnrftiHy AnHnrRnA NJ
Root.
But the peace that the President
describes" Mr.. Root continued. 'in-
wolves that absolute destruction and
abandonment of the principles upon
which this war was begun. 1t doesn't
say 'Servia,' It doesn't say Belgium.
but there the chosen head of the
American people has declared the
principles of democracy In unm.s-
taxable terms. has declared for the in
dependence and equal right of weak
nations. has declared for Monroe
| Doctrine OF the whole world. preclud-
/ Ing al nations from interfering with
! the independent control OF its own
/ affairs by every small nation. from
taking away the territory Of other
nations, from attempting to exercise
! the coercion OF superior power over
+ other nations for disarmament, for
reduction Of these mighty armies and
navies And every word OF that
declaration which I truly believe re-
presents the conscience and Judgment
OF the American people, denounces
the sacrifices OF Belgium and OF Ser
via and the principles upon which
. they were made.
Now alongside of that Is the
declaration that peace must be with
out victory Suppose that peace
cannot be made without victory? II
T that peace, the peace that enthrones
IN the world principles of individual
liberty and national right, and ma
tional suttjection to the laws OF morals
can be obtained without any further
military pressure, then thank God for
it, But II 1t cannot be obtained with
out such further military pressure as
10 end in victory. then let us pray for
the victory"
Intcrprcts Presidents Meaning.
/ The speaker referred to that part
Of the Presidents speech saying, III
the peace presently to be made Is 10