New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-08-31
FAR CLASS SENT
FROM west POINT
|econd Graduation in Five
Months on the Hudson

de second time in more than a CEN
airy the limited States Military Acad-
my has graduated two classes within
Iyear. The first first time was in
eS61. at the outset of the civil war,
fhen the class of '62 was graduated
early a. year ahead of time, and
esterday the class of is, which
rder normal conditions would have
cen commissioned next June, was
surried into the line of the regular
srmy to do it's part, as the secretary
Z war said: "In the great emergency"
Secretary Baker came to West Point
yesterday to preside for a second
ime in less than four months at a
radiation. The secretary gave the
So young officers a heart-to-heart
ak, and he did not mince words in
icturing to them the stern duties that
~ ahead of them, duties which he
aade plain might require the sacri-
ces of their lives for the honor of
heir country.
1.-THE great thing today which gives
Etrength and courage to America said
sAcretary Baker, lis not that we hate
ur enemy, but rather that we deeply
sove our cause"
The exercises were held on the
slain in front of the battle monu-
aent Dark coluds lowered over the
| soint during the two hours the cere-
nonies lasted, and near the end the
ain fell, burt even that failed to
amp the solemn enthusiasm which
marked the second war gradua-
. ion' of 1917.
#Secretary Baker was accompanied
y Major Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief
4 the general staff At the station
ie was greeted by Colonel Samuel E.
| Hllman, the superintendent, and
lieut. Col. Guy Henry, the COM
nandant OF cadets. A troop of cav
Try acted as the escort to the plain.
Save Powder for Other Purposes.
LAS the secretary's automobile came
ID over the hill there was no mill
airy saluting squad on duty, and for
he first time in history the arrival
,f a secretary OF war was not signaled
W the firing OF the customary salute
MI guns. Until the war ends no
more salutes will be fired at American
military posts.
1--WE can use the powder to more
advantage in another way" said one
If the West Point officers.
Immediately following the arrival
IT the secretary of war the corps of
cadets was paraded in his honor. For
EEhe last time the men of the class,
(which was that of 1918, exercised
fcommand over their brother cadets.
IA great crowd witnessed the splen-
aid picture the 500 cadets made as
In perfect alignment they swept past
Secretary Baker. 1t was all over in
Eaess than fifteen minutes and then
came the ceremonies.
wit TSr9 U0r.
by the Rev. H. P. Silver, the West
Point chaplain, who besought of the
Almighty victory ''in this war against
tyranny and oppression"
This is an occasion the like of
which," said. Colonel Tillman in pre-
,senting the secretary of war, but
lonce before has been witnessed at
West Point. Each year in century
of West Point history, except the
years 1861 and 1917, there has never
tbeen but one class sent into the army
from West Point. In 1861 the course
at West Point was five years, and the
class which West Point today gives
to the country has been graduated
after a shorter period at West Point
than any other class in one hundred
/ years. Today our country faces a
/. great trial, and you young men are
Z graduated in order that you may do
. your part in accomplishing what we
/. wish, what our allies expect, and
(. what the president has so nobly ex-
pressed in the last two days. I pre-
] sent the secretary Of war"
D "Only the greatest of emergencies
could pustify this procedure" said
/ Secretary Baker, 1.-The president in
his recent reply to His Holiness the
pires are today at war with four
1 f1fths of the civilized people of this
world. The autocratic rulers of the
Central Powers started this war ir
= the hope and belief that it would be
l possible to reshackle and reclaim the
liberated peoples Of other lands. Fol
decades the people of those Contra
! Powers had been taught to believe
|; that the will of the prince is the high.
est law and that men were born into
! this world with no inherent rights
! except those OF the state.''
Secretary Baker pictured the dis
pleasure Of the autocrats of Contra
Europe as they noted the growth o
the spirit of nobility and freedom il
the countries which gird1ed their owl
empires countries in which men ar
no longer the slaves of the state
! but countries in which the state j
: the creature Of It's citizens"
! Nov and then" added Secretar
I Baker, lone hears the question asked
DO the American people understan
{ what this war is about?' I have alb
I bolutely no misgivings on this sub
3oct," the secretary said, land tn
J heart Of America is right on thi
J point. for it knows that when Their
Is a fight for human rights on hand
Americas place is in that fight an
mt the front We wage this war il
that spirit There is none Of tina
personal hatred which characterize