New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-21
West Point Class Graduated;
Army Gains l39New Officers
Secretary Baker in Address Cadets Declares Nation
Must Assign War Duties of Citizens Under
system Of Universal Liability

son. The two shook hands while the
corps cheered.
This usual ceremony is unusual be-
cause IT is advanced in date due to the
fact that this country is at war;" SAID
Secretary Baker, in his address to the
class. There was a belief prior TO
1914 that war on a large scale had ne
come impossible. But every expecta-
tion enlightened people had regarding
war has proved wrong. and we now
find our country. the natural resting
place of peace, forced to take hand
in the struggle.
Nobody can predict the extent our
resources and our men may be engaged
before the war is brought to success
full conclusion, yet at the first note OF
danger we find our people ready 10 de-
sert the factories and the farms 10
take up arms in the struggle for free-
dom. But the character of war has
undergone a profound change.
war is now a pressure OF nation
against nation. Inventions have ami
hiated space. and the whole mass and
strength of a nation must be devoted
to one end. Every citizen must take
part The army in the field, undergo
ing the peril of actual battle. must be
sustained by the nation at home much
more than ever before.
"War has lifted from the field to the
sky and from the surface of the sea has
descended below the surface. The very
nature of weapons have changed.
Selective Draft New Policy
There should be no controversy as
to the mode of selecting armies. Our
nnrpSGltAtpS
change in ancient customs and IN the
duties of all citizens of the Republic
that Of selecting soldiers from among
those who can best be spared from the
industry of the country. Whatever the
merit or defects of the volunteer sys-
tenn under old war conditions, nation
wholly devoted to realization OF It's
ideals ought to select, assert and assign
the duties of its citizens, and ought 20
proceed on the plan of universal liabll-
ity to serve in an organized, perfected
system.
"There is no longer fear that our
armed forces may exert undue IN
fluence on the affairs of the nations.
War now makes US brothers OF the
sword, plough, furnace and engine. IL
is so integrated that class has become
impossible.
at is of the highest Importance IN
war that public opinion be sound III Is
of intense importance to mankind that
this country goes into this war devoted
to the highest and most unselfish ideals
known to the human race. We must be
victorious and have peace established
throughout the world. ,
"You young officers are consecrated
by generations of service to country;
You are inheritors of high traditions. |
congratulate you that you leave here 10
assist in training a new army. Give us
members what your country mas given
YOU. Devote yourselves with perseVer.
ance and conservation to the task OF
elevating millions of your countrymen
to the highest spirit of the country,
With the graduation of the first class
came the most important moment OIL
their academic lives to the second class
men-the appointment Of the new cadeI
corps officers. The two battalions hned
up behind the barracks and listened IN
tense silence as Cadet AdJutant kldg,
way read the names of the men picked
by Colonel Biddle to officer the corps
for the coming year. ~
The captains will be Knight, l.. NJ.
ZONES. f. T. Brown. Johnson, Mahoney,
Willard, Levy and Decide. The lieuten-
ants will be Chapman, Coffey, William
son. Kolb, Pohl, Place, Sarcka, Stamps,
Couture, Donaldson, Timberlake, Dur
fee. Beuchler, Bringham, Cooney, Day.
Erwin, Eyster, Gerhardt, Cohen, Harris,
Counts. Barnes, Heavey and Knoob.
All the graduating class left here this
afternoon for a months leave, after
which they will report to their. regl-
ments. 1t is probable that most of them
will be commissioned first lieutenants
within three months and captains with
l., q