The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-31
A KANSAN IN NEW YORK.
CHAPTER XIX.
Win the War for Permanent
poanQ-IH

At the Allied war DINNERS, reieffoo
to in the previous chapter, the speak
ers were eminent and the speeches
seemed to fully meet the expectations
of the listeners.
Mr.. Taft as usual was most salts
factory presiding officer and toast
master. T..
Realizing the seriousness of the &C.
casion, he delivered telling epigrams
which impressed themselves upon his
hearers.
Here are a few words he said which
will be of interest, it is thought, to
the readers of this paper. While
making his serious shots or thrusts. he
still did not lose sight of the humor
which would occasionally crop out, nor
overlook the Importance of keeping
cheerful and confident The Taft
chuckle blurted out, at times.
He illustrated some of the strug-
giles of the administration toward re-
suits by saying that 1t had been OBJ
served that many who had been placed
in great authority on unfamiliar work
seemed to be considered by the pow
ers entirely capable of performing
duties in connection with something
they knew nothing about" but OF
course experience and time enlight-
ened them and put them toward eff
cheney.
There has not always been war
ranted the optimism that has been
sometimes expressed" said Taft. I'VE
have displayed tendency TO blow. and
at the same time have not always de-
| livered the goods promptly.
But we are getting in shape now.
We were short of rifles; now we have
rifles aplenty; ships are building fast;
we '. II have ships enough if necessary
: to bridge the way across the Atlantic.
THE administration is entitled to
credit for the CONSUMPTION law. which
is democratic, fair and vital. There is
no power to win the war without put
| ting our boys in danger. We must
remember that. With all the new i'm
plements of warfare battles are still
won by men. Food will win, but red
blooded men are the front of things.
THE man entitled to the credit for
the draft law is Prouty. He threw the
| law on the people even before the peo-
pie were ready for it; but he was
right; it will raise 100000 men If
they are needed.
I'm class / are unmarried men and
| roarried mon who have M denepdepts
This class alone will produce 2.4O0.-
900 soldiers Seven hundred thou
sand have reached the age of FL since
A the first registration a year ago so that
by the end of 1918 we should be able
to have armed and equipped IN SEW
ice 100000 men. Then there are
volunteers. the regular army and the
national army aggregating 1900, 900
There would still be left in class
100000 men under 81. with 100000
reaching that age by 1919. By the end
of 1919 class l of the,new 21-regis-
tering age alone could produce over q
half million for the war,
This would only call those between
81 and 81 and those who have no de-
Is and calling class 2 would give u:
an army of 100000. With that ca.
pacity and potentiality we should be
held up to shame in history if we die
not win this war"
M. Jusserand, now and for years the
French ambassador at Washington
was fraternally received. He talked
like a brother and was accepted like
one. His broken, serious English wa.
welcomed with cheers and enthusia sn
when he spoke of the ties most tender
and strong that now join the French
and the Americans.
: Secretary Daniels, at the head of the
navy, publisher of Raleigh paper
when at home. in a modest and eff
Il fective way spoke of our ships, theil
accomplishments and prospects. H.
impressed his hearers with confidenc,
and satisfaction.
A wonderfully gripping speech wa.
made by Sir George Adam Smith
principal of the Aberdeen university
Scotland. himself a veteran. When h,
told of losing two sons in the servic,
and Of the third one In training, hi
words were so impressive that womel
and strong men in the audience wept
The national officers of the Leagu,
. to Enforce Peace chosen at Philadel
phia for 1s1s-1s19 are:
President-William Howard Taft.
, Vice president-Alton B. Parker
Treasurer-HerbertS S. Houston,
Secretary-William H Short.
Professionalism Howard Taft
:. John Grier Hihhen Thomas N No