The Washington herald., 1917-12-21

Harvard's answer to the call for
service.
"In September. 1916, a course in
military science and tactics was es-
tablished at Harvard. A new mile
stone in the academic annals of the
dean of American universities. With
the cloud of war over the country,
unit of the Reserve Officers' Train
ing Corps was established at the
university in February of 1917. Over
sixty members of the various facul-
assistant profes,
sOrs. lecturers, and instructors-ofrer-
ed their services and were attached
to the teaching stan OF the DEPART
ment of Military Science and Tao
tics.
Inspiration of PIattsburg.
Loyal undivided support! Such
was Harvard's answer to the call for
service.
Harvard men inspired Plattsburg.' -
Col. Cordier continued. THEY be-
came the patrons and founders of
that training camp. With personnel
and material they entered and have
remained in the service of national
defense.
at has been my great privilege to
start military training at Harvard
and to witness the successful re-
suits"
Col. Cordier declared statements
that Harvard was not a democratic
institution were false and cited two
examples of poor students, who, un.
| able to purchase equipment. were
kept in the Harvard regiment through
the aid Of richer fellow students and
now are officers In the army.
when war came and the training
corps was increased, membership
was open to students from all col
leges and to others who had equiva-
ent training in bushes or other
walks of life. Fifty-nine colleges
and universities were represented,
and a number of other applicants
who had not enjoyed the advantage
OF college education were selected
on the basis Of their general INTEL
ngence and probable aptitude.
Il have seen q gerat many fine and
inspiring sights, but I have never be.
held q more stimulating one thar
when the Harvard regiment passed in
review before Marshal Joffre. 1t was
an unparalleled honor to lead such 6
regiment. There was q part Of the
flower Of American youth, marching
like West Point cadets, escorting the
flag Of France. while their band play
ed the Maseillaise, they seemed 70
personify Americas heartfelt wish
for the world under the trinity Of col.
ors-Liberty, Equality. Fraternity.
In Fruitful sell.
Harvard has sown the seed that
| shall bear fruit. The institution
possesses, in the broadest sense, the
give and take so necessary to compro.
mise. to Cancellation and to success
These are cardinal attributes which II
tries to impress upon its sons. 1t en-.
deavors to show that everything in life
has its antithesis. and that IL there
was no shadow there would be no sun
shine, and that to assure future tri.
umph over all difficulties men must
personify vigor and hope. And so to.
day. as in the past, Harvard men are
giving their best to their country in
whatever field they may be serving
without rancor and without fear, for
the maintenance Of the High Ideal.
mo muscle strains without It. no la
Dor II low or mean;
They are waiting the last nigh-whistle
they are keeping the vision clean"
Saved the BeIgians.
When Food Administrator Hoover's
turn to speak came he was intro
duced by Mr.. Henning as the man
who saved the Belgians and who is
trying to make the Americans save
themselves" -
Mr.. Hoover was given an honorary
degree Of LII. D. by Harvard last
spring upon his return from Belgium.
Mr., Hoover devoted most Of his ad-
dress to the sugar question. He ex-
planned concisely the sugar situation.
How there were three sources Of sup
ply-the North American, the South
American and the Indian Ocean
and how the responsibility Of the
feeding Of the allies relied on their saw
ing sufficient of the North American
supply to send across the water
rather than make France and Eng
land undergo the difficulty of getting
this supply through the circuitous
route of the Indian Ocean.
MI. Hoover backed up the beliefs
Of Mr.. Elliott and commended the
efforts Of the railroads to handle the
unprecedented business which has
been thrust upon them.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice made q brier
address calling etnntion 70 TIE fsss