New-York tribune., 1918-07-04
War Chiefs Send
independence Day
Message to Nation
America Will Not Sheathe
Sword Until Militarism Is
Banished, Says Daniels
Fighting for Mankind
Baker and March Predict Uni.
versal Freedom After
Struggle Is Over

WASHINGTON, July s.-Th,
touoDing statements IN conuectio,
'c'th the independence Dan celebyo.
tao" aoere issued to-day:
By NEWTON D. BAKER.
Secretary of War
When the Imperial German gov
ernment undertook to dominate tho
world by the power of military con-
quest it brought new challenge to
the United States Of America. We
had learned under Lincoln that this
nation could not endure "half slave
and half free" The aggressions of
imperial Germany have warned us
that the world cannot continue "half
slave and half free" that we cannot
preserve our peace and freedom un-
less we help to bring peace and free
dom to the other peoples of the
earth, that we cannot maintain our
own rights and liberties if we allow
even little Belgium to be deprived of
hers.
IN that sense this independence
Day of 1918 is the promise and aug
ury of an independence Day for all
mankind. We are fighting for our
own national life, but the victory in
which we share will save the life of
democracy in Europe and in Africa
and in Asia no less than in America.
We have declared for the sclf-detcr-
mination of all peoples, for their
freedom and independence And on
this independence Day we celebrate
that declaration as much as ours of
1776.
BY JOSEPHUS DANIELS,
Secretary Of the Navy
The American people have had a
fresh baptism of the spirit Of sacri-
ticc for liberty which enabled the
men of rs to make the Declaration
of independence the decree of pow
ertul nation. They have entered this
war to aid in insuring to peaceful
peoples freedom from conquest, and
they will not lay down the sword
until the menace OF militarism is
lifted from mankind.
The men who have given their
lives on land and sea in this glorious
adventure will forever shine in the
republics tirmanent, and have highly
resolved they shall not have died in
vain. Out of the tragedy of war the
steady light Of peace, guaranteed by
league of all free nations, will il
lumnc the world.
By GENERAL PEYTON C. MARCH,
Chief of Staff
The Fourth Of July is a symbol of
freedom to all Americans. 1t repre-
sents the establishment on this con-
tinent of government by the peo-
Pile; the outcome of war where
men sacrificed their lives and their
fortunes in order that their des-
tinies should not be controlled by
autocracy.
On this Fourth of July we find the
whole nation modified for war in
order that the freedom gained by our
forefathers should not be wrestcd
from us by ruthless and despotic
monarchy. Americans in France and
Americans at home will to- day re-
ceive new inspiration, from the recol-
lection of what this day means to us,
to pursue this war to victorious
conclusion.
Free men all over the world are to-
day united under one standard and
are animated by one idea, never to
be enslaved by any nation, and for
this reason they will gladly die; and
in this fact lies our assurance that
Germany can never win.
By ROBERT LANSING,
Secretary of State
This year the Fourth OF July is
moro than a nationa. holiday; IL is
an international holy Aa,- While we
rejoice over liberty acl ed for our
Court,,- 1va cbnulj protn Onr-
selves to the defence Of that liberty
which is imperilled by Prussian mill
tarlSm.
On this day Of glorious memories
America, with stern will and un-
alterable purpose, rededicatcs her all
to liberty, and looks into the future
with supreme faith that God will
crown with victory the cause Of the
nations arrayed against autocracy.
By WILLIAM B. WILSON,,
Secretary of Labor
With the exception of the Fourth
of July, 1776, this Fourth of July is
the most significant in the history of
the Republlc.
On this fatcful day. for the first
time in our annals, we are face to
face with the question whether free
dom as we understand It shall con-
tinue to exist in the world or
whether the feudalism which we once
deemed obsolete shall be reimposed
upon mankind.
If the tide of battle could be ad-
verse it would mean that for many
years the best hopes of humankind
would come to disappointment or to
naught. In that reflection lies the in
SDiratiOn of the war
By LORD READING,
British Ambassador
To-day the thoughts of all people