New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-29
SAYS Few Months of lnten-
sive Training Have Made
Them Second to None
Praises the Virility
Of Our Democracy
In Speech to College Fra
ternity, Predicts Heroic
Tasks to Follow War

This war will not be over when the
treaty OF peace is signed" said Secrc-
tary OF War Newton u. Baker IN an ad-
dress 20 the members Of the Phi
Gamma Delta fraternity at their an
rual convention az tho Hotel Astor
last night. There will still be heroic
tasks 70 be done. The mere physical
reconstruction is a task for thousand
years. and in addition there IS the
moral and economic reconstruction
at would be irrcligous 20 doubt the
outcome or this war" he continued.
"Thc end will come when civilization
wins over barbarism. The result vii
bc not the taking away Of anything
from any people. but the donation OF
new liberties and the gift Of new op-
rortunitics 20 able men everywhere.
The most deplorablc thing about the
enemy IS the state or the national CON
science Of Germany. which accepts As
moral. without question. the doctrine
OF assassination rs subtcriugc Tor
war. The tragedy OF the Lusitania was
tho approval OF its sinking by the con-
science Of the German people
The Manhood Of Democracy
"The forty years Of Germany's prep
aration for this war. IL we consider
only the period after 1870 is signin-
cant principally for the fact that IN
that time the governing class has &C
ouircd such an absolute control over
the people that common decency ana
humanity can be forgotten instantly at
-rrrefnrr of "a hinton by the
ruling class.
"In America we have scorned 20 be
armed TO the teeth in times OF peace.
Yet such q democracy as ours had but
10 touch with the magnet Of its spirit
its Young men TO get in few months
Of intensive training body OF officers
second 10 none of any army IN the
world. | am not arguing how much or
how little military training nation
should have. Yet the United States has
demonstrated that the fine ideals OF
democracy have not enfeebled ITS man
hood. and that. though II will bow TO
no aut6crat. when the emergency comes
there spring up promptly the forces
necessary TO defend our liberty.
This crisis has demonstrated that
the loyalty fostered by fraternities IN
college develops in later life to loyalty
20 the country
Mr.. Baker had reference to the 500
members Of Phi Gamma Delta who, out
Of total membership Of about 10000,
are in active service.
Praise for College Men
"In an hour when civilization faces
barbarism. when the right TO govern
ourselves and 10 have free minds and
education is challenged, when force
asserts itself as better than right
when high things are scoffed at, then
there comes back to mind the beautl-
ful helpfulness and love Of fair play
We learned in college America rs
sending over the seas thousands OF IT'S
Young men in order 10 make possible
tho large development Of these large
and noble emotions.
"Now we arc finding that having MADE
good citizens in college, these young
men have also made good soldiers. Ihey
are going 10 make the United states
free from a menace OF barbarlsm. And
after they have won the war, they are
going TO hold the mental and moral
balance of the world until reconstruc-
ton can take place and civilization can
learn 20 walk again
Vice-Presidcnt Thomas L. Marshall
who was also 70 have spoken at the
convention meeting, was delayed IN
Washington and unable 70 attend the
dinner. Addresses were made by
Arthur Williams. Federal Food Admin
istrator for the State OF New York
Judge Adams, Of Indiana. and the Rev.
Charles Prospero Fagnani. of this city.