The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-01-31
.MENACED BY GERMAN IDEA,
ROOT SEES DANGER IN "NA.
81 TIONAL EVOLUTION"
Addresses Congress of Constructive
Patriotism ON Need for Backing up
League-Praises Wilson Plan.

washington, Jan. 25.-The d
peace address of President Will o.
the senate was interpreted by = 4
Root in a speech here tonight !
admission that there is no way, :,
war except by preparation fol /:
and as denunciation Of the :
Of Germany. He said he was IL
sympathy with the purposes OF
speech, which contained much
Iidealism." :
Mr.. Root spoke before the MAJ
Security leagues Congress of ---
structive Patriotism, beginning three
day session. He appeai1a earnestly
for return to the "basic principle
upon which this government was
founded" universal military service,
as the only absolute measure of de.
! Tense. American freedom was threat
| ened. he declared, by the principle OF
liberty of national evolution" as
| serted by Germany, the application
of which had meant the overwhelm-
ing of Servia and Belgium and which,
II advocated by the world, will mean
/ that ''our American freedom will
surely die, and die while we live"
The former secretary of State con-
strued Mr.. Wilson's proposal for
league Of nations for peace as mean
/ ing the formation Of a convention un.
/ der which liberty Of action would be
left to every signatory power to de-
4 termine it's duty towards the mainte-
/ nance of peace.
4 but observe" he added. that that
! agreement is worthless, meaningless,
i unless the nations that enter into it
4 keep their power behind 1t. 1t will
4 be a worthless agreement on our part
4 II We have not a ship or a soldier that
4 we can contribute to the war, If war
4 there be, for the maintenance Of that
peace ~,
s Mr. spoGl turned also to the presi-
a1eSt' SusS Sestion that the present war
must end in peace. without VIC
tory" ~, 49,
I '"Now I sympathize with that" he
declared, 'b''t the peace that the
president describes involves the ah-
solute destruction and abandonment
OF the principles upon which this war
was begun. 1t does not say Servia, it
does not say Belgium, but there the
\ chosen head Of the American people
has declared the principles Of the
American democracy in unmistakable
terms. And every word of that decla-
ration, which I believe truly repre-
sents the conscience and judgment of
the American people. denounces the
sacrifice of Belgium and Servia and
the principles upon which they were
made"
The speakers plea for universal
service brought his hearers to their
feet cheering time and again.
Alton b. Parker Of New York pre-
| SsNoN SoNHS e~AhO 0CiotOI
of Utah at the night session, the
speakers including S. Stanwood Men-
ken. first president of the Security
league; Lawrence F. Abbott, Mrs.
William Cumming Story. William
Cumming Story, William Roscoe
Thayer. Henry l.. Stimson, former
secretary of war; George Won L. Mey-
er, former secretary Of navy, and Rear
Admiral F'iske, retired. Every speak
er indorsed proposals of universal
service which will be formally recon-
mended in resolutions later.
| Mr.. Menken declared that despite
two years of efforts the defense prob
lem was unsolved. He credited Sec
retary Daniels with having exercised
every effort to build up the navy, but
declared the Hall bill, known as the
national defense act, contained &
Unreasonable" measure Of pork" He
demanded that congress meet in eX-
ira session to work out an adequate
military policy.
/