The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-16
DECLARES FOR WAR
IF LEAGUE FAILS


toner In drawing from the witness the
fact that several million copies OF Repre-
sentative Clyde Tavernor's speech
against preparedness had been scattered
broadcast throughout the country by
the Congressman himself, possibly as
'franked'' business Mr.. Ford had no
knowledge OF this. passing II along TO
Mr.. Delavigne. He stated that "a pro-
fkssional soldier In often less objections
able than a professional gambler
Grant and Pershing All Right.
t.pid you regard Cen. Grant as Of
less use than gamberr'
NO" said the witness.
.'t3en. Pershing7" was asked.
r'Gen. Pershing did good joo-he
ended the war"
was Pershing n murderer when ne
went into MexicoT'
'sNo. he went to capture Villa. and
that Mexican would have had Justice"
Witness had no knowledge Of the ia
nous San Francisco Mooney case or
the fact that Thomas Edison particle
rated in a preparedness parade In New
York. He considered President Wilson
a great man before the war, and n
greater one now
A pamphlet published by direction OF
Mr.. Ford was read in part. In 1t the
writer said that the European war was
prolonged by both sides being prepared
and asked what good was preparedness
In Flanders. -.
TITS the same, old talk by the same
old lazy vultures," aaid the article.
Mr.. Ford. however, wanted close in
spection of the paragraph and finally
accused Secretary Deiavigne Of putting
II over" on him, although the article was
supposed to contain the true sayings of
Mr.. Ford.
q. Now. referring to your publica-
ton Of August 23, 1915. published in
the Detroit Free Press and again in this
booklet, 1 will ask you how many copies
Of this booklet were prepared for circu-
lation and distribution?
A. I don't know: there was quite a
number.
Ford Meant over-Preparedness
Q. want to call your attention to the
number of times that you used the word
murderer" in connection with those
VINO were in favor of, national prepared
second page of the book: II will do
everything In my power to prevent
murderous wasteful war In America and
in the world. l. win devote my life to
fight this spirit which Is now felt In
the free and peaceful air Of the United
States. spirit of militartsm. mother 10
the cry OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the root OF all war" What did you
mean by that? =,
A. Over-preparedness.
Q. Was anybody. suggesting over.
preparedness7
A. thought so.
@. In what way?
A. Every one that seemed to be for
preparedness.
@. The President was for prepared
ness, wasn't he?
Alfred 'Tucking-That is objected to as
immateriai.
The Court don't know what 1t may
be leading to. Go ahead. This is cross
examination. You knew that the Presi-
dent, in December. 1918. made an ad.
dress to Congress on the subject OF pre-
paredness. in part, didn't he?
A. ] could not say.
q. In the Concerning Preparedness
that has been admitted In evidence. 'thi,
appears. and you say: do we need pre-
paredness? The President himself In hi,
speeches made recently in the Middle
West could find no fear Of invasion and
his Inconsistencies were pointed out even
by the most ardent editorial advocates
of the 'preparedness' plan. In December
1914, the President, in his message 70
Congress, said" &C. Now, you knew OF
the Presidents speeches.
A. Mr.. Dalavgne did. I suppose
O. These are your sentiments or are
they Mr.. Delavigne's?
A. am responsible for them.
Q. You are responsible for thsm%. =
A. Yes
O. You knew the President had made
the speeches that you were undertaking
TO answer by these Advertisements?
A. did to that extent. and am re-
sponsible for that.
q. You are familiar with public mat
tiers? "a. ~,
A. Quiet a little.
q. You became an educator and as
sumed the role OF educator for the
American people? -
A. Possibly SO.
Million 10 Educate Nation =
@. You gave out the public announce.
ment that you were going to spend a
million dollars, and afterward raised II
to ten million dollars?
q. A, ] don't remember that
@. You do remember that you an
nounced that you were going to spend
a million dollars TO educate the Ameri-
Sah peoPie oh eio SuoJeSt VI piePeteo-
uess?
A. did.
Q. You started out TO educate them In
part, and by the publication OF these ad-
vertisements and interviews?
A. Yes.
q. You undertook TO advocate them,
and made reference to the President
speeches he delivered In Congress In De-
cenber, 1915. and subsequently, through
out the country early in 1915?
A. Yes. possibly g..
@. You knew that the President had
made a speech in New York, didn't you,
and then came on to Pittsburg, then
Chicago. then TO Kansas City. and then
to st. Louis then Des Moines. Ia. and
TO Topeka, Kan, and made speeches at
all those places In the spring OF 1915?
A. knew it. II It was in that book
Q. Didn't you know II outside OF that
book? This was during the Presidents
campaign. and the President was your
friend. wasn't he7
A. knew him very well.
Q. You regarded him az your friend
didn't you?
A. Regarded him as the President OF
the United States.
q. Didn't you come to have very close
relations with the President?
A. Yes. 1 talked TO him a number Oh
times.
States Senator at his request?
A. Yes, sir. - -.
Q. You visited him at Shadow Lawn
didn't YOU his summer place?
A. Yes. sir. H..
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