Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-25
WAR SURE TO COME
WITHIN TWO WEEKS
Montague Expects Declaration
Shortly After Congress
Meets on April 2.
CAN FIGHT WHILE PREPARING
Governor Hopes to See American
Flag on French and
Belgian Soil.
CAN FIGHT WHILE PREPARING

Aye was tho response which came
with dcafcnmE uuanimi,y from the
5000 people in tho Ci,v Auditorium
list night when Congressman a. j.
Montague. presiding. put tho motion
offered by John stewart Bryan in
favor II universal military service a,
I'll" patriotic inass-in.eting held under
the auspices Of IN" capital CITY Divi-
sion of the Virginia Branch Of the
National League for Moments Service
Governor stuart Congressman Mon
tseuc and iohu stewart Ervan all
agreed in their addresses that the
nitcd states would ne at wa within
a few weeks. At each reference to
Americas entry ia the confi:c; or to
the gallant fighting Of the entente
allies. tho speakers were Interrupted
with enthusiastic applause. in which
joined the entire audience from the
young people Of the chorus and the
distinguished citizens on the platform
to the Confederate veterans and hardy
militiamen in the front seats and the
Inasscd men and women in the rear
and the balcony.
Flags and red, white and blue bunt-
ing decorated tho auditorium. Directly
behind tho speakers was hung a great
American flag. Joined with the flags
Of tho state Of Virginia and tho city
Of Richmond. Boys OF the Binford
Junior High school Cadet Company
sold small flags to tho multitude.
STUART WELCOMES RETURNING
SOLDIERS TO NEW DUTIES
The Star-Spanglci banner" Amer
ica columbia. the Gem OF tho Ocean
and Dixie led by the John Marshall
High School chorus. directed by Pro-
fessor Walter &. Mercer and the How
tiers Band. brought the people again
and again 10 their feet with waving
naGs. beating time TO the music. and
many voices thrilling at tho words.
We hardly know in these uncer-
tain and doubtful times whether mos.
10 welcome these young soldiers re-
turninS from service On tho border
or 20 acckon then, TO the action await
ing them on wider fields said cav
ernor Stuart "Gc this as it MY,
wish 10 express Tor the state and pco-
ple OF Virginia the pride and satisfac-
tion in the splendid record of our hovs
in every cali that has bee; made upon
them. You come not. soldiers. with Il
record OF battle fought or with The
proud satisfaction Of duty dore and
with a splcndid purpose for tn. de-.
fense % the State. The example or this
splendid body of young soldiers is OF
infinite value IL the whole country.
We heard frCm the distinguished
speaker in This hall few nights ago
the cl,icf nbcct,"n 10 voluntary SCR
vice MAS thai tie noWer of tie ma
ginning OF a struggle. while the LAG.
CARDS remained in safety Voluntary
service is the nucleus. however around
which an army OF defense will have TO
be rallied when the time comes
All. THAT REMAINS ~
OPEN. AGGRESSIVE WAR
Look TO the future When such a
Time may come. believe that wren
all bridges nave been burned hcrind
on the question Of honor and peace,
but one thing remains, and that is
open, aggressive, determined pes
sistcut war. Then throw off AL tics
of neutrality Let the war continue
until the terms laid down by the great
Nirginiau now in the White House
have been met. have fuli confdcn
in his wisdom aud ststcsmtnsi.ip to
guide the country through the crises
which now present themselves
some say tha: the United states Is
not ~ epared for war We mUSl ad-
nit that there is a large element Of
truth III what they say. bu- the United
states is getting better prepared every
day. And the nation can tight nile l.
is preparing. ! believe that the United
states il in better shape 10 hEht than
10 allow one blot 10 be Lut upon its
honor.
rhe time has co,nc. in NY opinion.
when the country must crocse where
L vii! stand. Ii must decid. whether
IL viii limit the war 10 the action of
the navy in keeping the lanes clear
tor commerce and night with dollars
instead of bullets. The only safe and
honorable course is for the United
States TO take the side OF her natural
allies lighting in Europe
WOULD SEE SEARS AND STRIPES
ON BATTLE FIELDS or FINANCE
81 hope and trust the time may not
come to send troops for land hghtne
across the ocean. But if the war con
tinues. il there is no sign Of an early
close. let MS east our lot oar, and
bu, a small number of troops To show
our identification with a brave cause.
Even now the French troops. Crap
p!inE with the Germans. ar, singing
out the immortal words uttered in ST.
Johns Church. Richmond Give me lib
erty or give me death If tie war is
to continue. want to hea: that motto
sounded on the battle field by Amer
leans. want TO see the Union Jack
the Trio' lor and tho Stars ini Stripes
floating side by side. ] want to listen
10 the national anthem of Great Erit-
ain. the 'Marseliaise.' ana the Star
Spangled Banner commingling IL
common tone just as The men WHO will
sing will be interested in common
cause.
When all efforts at peace are en-
Continued on Fourteenth PageO