New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Root Sounds
Alarm of War
To Nations Bar
Calls on All Lawyers OF
America to Aid in De-
feat of Autocracy
Germany Like Burglar
Supremacy Of Law Over Ex-
ecutive Power Menaced,
He Tells Conference
Germany Like Burglar

SARATOGA SPRINGS, sept. 3.-lne
lawyers of America we're urged TO
sound cry of alarm" throughout the
nation for a successful prosecution OF
the war. in an address to-day by Elihu
Root before the conference of Bar As
sociatior delegates, an organization al
lied with the American Bar Associa-
ton. He urged that each member OF
the bar should exert every influence
and every power nc possibly possesses
over his clients, friends and associates
IN every community" in that direction.
at has become perfectly evident
he said, chat this is conflict between
two opposed and inevitably opposed
systems Of governments, of policy, OF
politics. of human society. II has be
come perfectly evident that the war
was brought on with purpose 20 es-
tablish a military autocracy. 1t has
become perfectly evident that more
than a generation of careful prepare
ton had been made for this very thing,
and that the democracies Of the world,
rejoicing in peace and prosperity, IN
political freedom and IN individual I'D
erty, were in great measure ana in dlt-
ferng degree unprepared 70 meet this
attack upon them.
"Slowly they have gathered TO the
support Of the principle OF their lives,
the principle upon which they live,
against Tho adverse attack on this prln-
ciple, tho domination Of which means
the death OF democracy and the ever.
lasting destruction Of the system OF
individual liberty Of which we are the
high priests Of the bar.
Menace of Autocracy
80 long as there exists great and
powerful military autocracy which
has the purpose to secure domination
By military force, so long republics,
democracies, countries which preserve
individual freedom and individual
rights, countries which subordinate
government 10 freedom, must be at
the mercy of autocracy. As well go
TO sleep with a burglar sitting IN your
front hall as 10 talk about the peace
and security of a democracy with
Germany still competent to pursue It's
career OF domination.
I'VE are in the tight, and the stake
for which we fight is liberty Mr..
Root added. land it is our bar which
stands at the door through which OPP
preston would enter. 1t is not so
easy for the farmer TO see there will
be a difference in his crops, or in the
sale OF them; for the manufacturer 70
see that any one will stop wearing
clothes or shoes or using machinery,
but IL is easy for US 10 see that with
the domination Of that military sys-
- 1ou h4
makes the bar but cog TO an admins
trative system Of government, and
leaves to the bench no independence
it is easy for the lawyer 70 see that
everything he has contended for OF IN
dividual liberty and the supremacy OF
the law over executive power will be
attacked and destroyed if We do not
succeed in this war;
Root Applauded Many Times
Mr.. Root spoke after he had been
elected chairman Of the conference.
He was interrupted By applause many
times.
The delegates Endorsed a plan for
giving wartime legal assistance, which
pledges the lawyers TO give lega! aid
70 those entering the Federal or state
service and the local exemption boards;
70 conserve the practice Of lawyers en-
tering such service; 70 cooperate IN
relief work, including gratuitous as
sistance in probatinc the estates OF
those who have died while in the ser
vice. and assisting the Federal and
state authorities in all activities IN
connection with the war, including
furnishing public speakers for the pro-
motion Of patriotism and patriotic en-
deavor.
Henry R. Rathbone. Of Chicago, who
proposed the resolution, was authorized
10 offer il before the American Bar As
ISOLATION. which meets here tomorrow.
Efforts made in many cities 10 give
free legal aid TO the worthy poor were
indorsed n A resolution urging state
and local bar associations 10 foster
the formation in their respective Jurls-
Gictions of Legal aid societies.
Boris Bakhmeteff. Russian Ambassa-
dor. was the guest Of honor at dinner
given by the jude al section tonight.
Ambassador Bahkmete'f expressed
confidence that the Russian armies
will continue TO fight.
They have not been crushed he
said, land are not going to be crushed.
The programme is for strong demo
cratic government and a strong army
Mr.. Root expressed confidence in the
men behind the new Russian govern
ment.