New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-28
Merchants Cheer
y. S. Training Plan
Urged by Wood
visualize Dead That Will
Be Yours if You Do Not
Prepare" He Says
Warning by Gerard
Nations Safety Depends on
Universal Service, Is
Whitman's Plea

More than two thousand five hundred
members Of the Merchants Association
and their guests shouted their approval
OF universal military service yesterday
at a luncheon in the Hotel Aston.
Major General Wood and James W.
Gerard, former Ambassador to Ger
many, received ovations when they
made short speeches. Governor Whit
man and Bascom Little, chairman of
the national defence committee Of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States, made the principal address.
General Wood remarked that he and
other army officials had been subjected
to censure for advocating preparedness,
but that they were not talking for the
fun Of hearing themselves talk. He
warned against depending on any gov
crnment system Of manufacturing mu-
nitions, and appealed to the business
men Of the nation to establish plants
and get them in running order for
filling government contracts as soon as
possible, so that expansion of munition
making can be effected almost instan-
i taneously when the country needs sup
/ plies for its army and navy.
Warning Is Sounded
"None of us want war, but we know
it may come to us at almost any mo-
ment." said General Wood. 81 think.
a, body. we would rather break peace
| than break faith, and / think we are
going TO stand by our general princi-
/ pies. Some of US have been censured
for preaching preparedness, although
we do not do so for the pleasure OF
hearing ourselves talk. We preach pre-
/ paredness because we want you TO Wis
ualize the dead that will be yours if
( you DO not prepare.
I'VE know what is TO come. and God
pity you if you do not heed the lesson.
: The dead will be yours IN more sense
( than one. They will be yours through
neglect. We have had these meetings
( on great many occasions. They are
/ backed by a fine spirit. They show
/ that we are ready for sacrifice in spirit.
But we are not ready IN material
things"
mere y no hhIEtT rum ihlilAdi Ism
in this country 50 long as we retain our
democratic institutions" said Mr..
Gerard. AT the beginning of the war
| saw the civilians of Germany read
ing an order in front Of the statute
Of Frederick the Great, on Under den
Linden, saying that while the civil au-
thorties remained in power all orders
from the military took precedence. That
is the sort that makes militarlsm a
danger.
Gerard Praises Wilson
ave are to-day standing near the
edge Of war. but il will be a satisfac-
ton TO you TO know and J assure you
Of it-that our President. Woodrow
Wilson. is not only the greatest peace
President we have ever had, but that
before long you will find out that he
will be the greatest war President the
United States ever had"
Governor Whitman reviewed the fight
in New York State for universal mill
tary service and the preparedness adj
vocated here. even TO physical and mill
itary training in the schools.
The one solid foundation upon
which Americas safety may be rested
is the complete and instant recognition
OF the great principle that the national
defence is an obligation that rests upon
every citizen. believe in universal
d.