New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Gen. Wood Calls
Unpreparedness
Murder" Policy
Reused by Pacihst Speech,
Makes Appeal for Uni
versal Training
Backed by DR.. Hibben
Excitement at Economic Club
Dinner Caused by De-
fence Debate
Backed by DR.. Hibben

Stirred by a sweeping criticism OF
universal military training, Major
General Leonard Wood last night made
a vigorous defence of the system in a
second and unscheduled speech he
made before members of the Economic
Club at dinner held at the Hotel
Astor.
"The Military Obligations OF Citi-
zenship," the general topic Of discus
sion for the evening, ranged the an
nounced speakers in distinctly opposed
ranks. the general, President John
Grier Hibben Of Princeton and Mayor
Mitchell pleading for compulsory train
ing. and Adolf Augustus Berle, cler-
gyman, author and educator, OF Cam
bridge. Mass, taking a stand, with the
Rev. Charles f. Aked, for a pacifistic
idealism.
So high did the feeling run that the
speakers were frequently interrupted
and cheers and Kisses met the various
arguments. At the opening of the pro-
gramme General Wood had delivered
brief plea for universal training, in
dorsing the Plattsburg and other forms
of training He was followed by Dr.
Hibben, who declared that war is now
a distinct possibility.
Facing Conflict of Duties
1--WE are in this country facing a
conflict of duties" DR.. Hibben said.
1--WE are compelled to choose between
the comforts of peace and the horrors
of war. As Americans we are pledged.
Just as we are as Christians. to pursue
peace TO the limit. But there is a
limit. and We cannot turn our backs
on duty
Mr.. Berries arraignment of compul-
sorry service began almost as soon as
he had taken the rostrum. As he con-
tinued General Wood grew impatient,
speaking frequently to President Hib-
ben, to whose speech the anti-mlitarist
several times referred.
1.-THE question now is whether we are
T. reorganize with our brains or our
emotions" Dr. Berle insisted. "Who
is going 20 do that organizing and how
is it going 70 be done? DR.. Hibben has
said that the army bill in Congress
calls for a great invisible army. That
army is 10 be larger than the Prussian
army before the war. which took 100
years to perfect Can we do 1t in fif-
teen minutes. We have done nothing,
and then we get hysterical and do the
wrong thing"
Attacking the army staff. he then
called forth a vollev of Kisses by de-
claring that with three months train
ing he could hold his own with any
officer in the field.
81 do not give n snap for compul-
sorry service. would like TO see phys
ical fitness developed among our men
without the aid of military authority.
An army Of patriotism is strong
army"
Civil War Veteran Interrupts
ave know better, we who served in
the Civil Warl" shouted George Haven
Putnam, who sat near the speaker.
DR.. Aked said that he had come to
express certain views and that what
ever he might say had been avenged
beforehand"
"My view is that universal military
TRAPPING is un-American, that it lowers
the American ideal, that it belongs 70
the past and is false 10 American
spirit. II is step backward, down to
the lower level of European despot-
ism"
Mayor Mitchell, on whom fell what
he described as the heavy burden OF
closing the discussion. went into the
debate with a parting handshake from
General Wood. with whom he had been
in close conference during the two
pacifistic speeches.
1.-TWO features stand out prominent
ly in this debate" he said. First, one
side offers a programme and a plan,
and. second, the other side presents