New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-26
People Fail to Realize
Danger, Defence Con-
gress Is Told
URGES UNIVERSAL
TRAINING PLAN
Says German Disregard
of Treaties Kills
Wilson Plan

dSHlnSlOn, Jan. ZO.-l ne COLI
gress of constructive patriotism,
called by the Natioal Security
League, opened here to-day to adopt
measures for awakening the country
to the need Of adequate defence. A
thrilling, patriotic appeal by Elihu
Root and a chilling rebuke from
| President Wilson were the events OF
the first day. Mr.. Root spoke to the
congress for a "reawakening Of the
spirit of a free, self-governing de-
mocracy." Mr.. Wilson spoke to a
group of Maryland delegates who
went to point him a moral drawn
from the military fiasco, chiding them
for the lack of restraint shown in
the words of their petition.
But when Mr.. Root began 20 SPEAK
to the great throng in the conven-
tion enthusiasm replaced the chill
that followed the rebuff Of the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Wilson's rebuke was not
forgotten-it was merely ignored.
Flaw in Wilson Plan
Time after time the delegates and
spectators applauded and cheered as
Mr.. Root hammered his points home.
He indorsed the Presidents plan for
a convention Of nations against war.
but declared that the United States
ought not to bind itself to go TO war
without giving the people "at the
time"' an opportunity TO say whether
they wanted to go TO war.
Agreement or no agreement" said
Mr.. Root, "when the time comes the
people of, the United States will not
go into any war, and nobody can get
them into any war, unless they then
are in favor of fighting for some
thing. And nothing can be so bad
as to make a treaty and then break
it.
"What I understand by it is that a
convention shall be made by which all
the civilized nations shall agree with
all their power to stand behind the
maintenance OF the peace thus agreed
upon, and If that peace be infringed
upon then under the sanction Of that
agreement each nation shall determine
what it is its duty to do toward the
maintenance of that peace"
But" he added, "such an agreement
is worthless unless the signatory ma
tions keep the power behind IT,"
Lays War TO German Ambition
"Peace without victory was another
of the Presidents phrases which Mr..
Root pounced upon. Tracing the Eu-
ropean war to Germany's confessed
ambition for national evolution" Mr..
Root said that If this spirit, immoral
in essence. could be overcome without
further military pressure "let US thank
God for it,"
"But if it cannot be obtained with
out further military pressure and has
to end in victory, then ie, US pray for
the victory"
The speech dwelt on the preservation
of the Monroe Doctrine as necessary to
national welfare. Three things have
guaranteed this doctrine in the past, he
said. First, the fact that the men OF
Monroe's day "neyer thought Of such
thing as not being ready to fight for
7 their rights; second, the delicate bal
ance Of power in Europe, which has
caused possible aggressors TO reflect
that il was not worth while TO start a
war in America; and, third, the British
navy. The last reference started "A
wild outburst Of applause.
The congress appeared to be just IS
unneutrsl as Mr.. Root. Every refer
cnce TO Germany Sflt for the present
world war and every word Of prsss
/ for Belgium, Serbia and their allies.
even to the closing prayer Of thanks 20
the men who were fighting in the Euro
pean trenches for liberty, was rovndly
+ applauded and eheered.
Wilson Eulogy Wasted
4 Judge Alton b. Parker, in his address
as chairman Of the meeting, praised
President Wilson as the "leader Of tho
movement" for adequate defence, but
/ the eulogy was wasted on an audience
that appeared rather 10 regard the
President as the chief obstacle to the
/ defence movement.
S. Stanwood Menken, Of New York.
former president OF the Security
League, urged that the convention de-
mand a special session OF Congress 10
take up solely the question OF national
defence. He said further that before
the close Of the convention plan
would be presented for q National
I ChsAtauqus," through which twenty
millions Of people at least might be in
structed in the historic ideals Of Amer
lean government.
Mr.. Menken scored the Hay bills
"treasonable measure OF pork"
The man who uses public money -
build up his political fences, whether
it be for sham preparedness, public
buildings, rivers and hArbors. or what
not, is, IN my opinion, guilty OF higa
treason"
Mr. Menken also attadk ksd the QaLs.-