New-York tribune., 1921-06-09
Folly for u. S.
TODisarraa Now.
Asserts w eeks
With Possible Foes Feverisil-
ly Preparing for War, Ma
ton Cannot Pause, Secre-
iary Tells Graduates
Sees No Peril i'm Britain
Hopes for Day When All
Together May Dismantle
Forts and Scrap Navies

For the United States to disarm
while possible foes are making fever
ish preparations for war would be the
height of folly, Secretary of War John
W. Weeks said yesterday in his ad-
dress to the graduating class of New
York University.
"While | want to see our country
lead in every proper means to bring
about an understanding between the
nations Of the world which will in
sure the world against another war, !"
said Secretary Weeks, 81 hope to see
it prepared to defend its rights, its
sovereignty and It's cit;2ens until the
day comes, if it ever does, when all
nations by mutual consent dismantle
their Notifications and scrap then
navies."
Nine hundred and sixty-two graduates
of the university in cap and gown ano
several thousand relatives and friends
gathered beneath and around white
marquee pitched on the green oelo"
the Hall Of Fame, applauded Mr
w CchS b utLeIdHCSc'
Gets Honorary Degree
In addition to being the orator OF
the day Mr.. Weeks occupied the cen
ter of the stage again during the
exercises, when the Rev. DR.. George
Alexander, president of the council OF
the university, conferred upon him
the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws
Nine other distinguished persons, re-
celIor Elmer Ellsworth Brown was
notified that he had been made an
honorary spending academlciar
bv the Academy of Letters and Sciences
Of Naples.
Because discuss this subject,
said Secretary Weeks, ~ do not wish
to be misunderstood, for l do not love
war. / abhor it. No national teine
who has a clear realization OF Its
meaning wants to have his country
become engaged in war, but condi
tions may arise which make it, with al
it's horrors, the only alternative to &
dishonorable peace. Then every
patriotic citizen wants war
None will contend that the Civil
War was unjustifed, Mr.. Weeks said
and then asked:
"Will any one question the justice o.
our cause III Iuc IcCSilO VVAIo " eAL
What would be the condition of the
world to-day, of your own country, o.
this graduating class, if America hae
kept out of that conflict"
Discussing present controversies ove1
the subject of disarmament, he said:
81 am personally entirely in sympa
thy with every wise and sane endeavol
to bring about the adoption of a world
wide movement with that result IL
view, but we must remember that thu
passions of war and the disturbance
to society, as we'll as to individuals
| cannot be overcome or forgotten in
day.
Must Be Simultaneous
"Under present conditions it woult
be the height of folly for the Unitet
States to be the first to disarm. World
wide disarmament must come as the
result of an international agreemen
and must be done simultaneously. Pru
dence would not permit disarmins
while others hold weapons in then
hands.
az do not anticipate war, but there
are active and feverish military prepa
rations among those with whom W.
might possibly come into contact.
am not, however, solicitous that VIZ
maintain the largest military or nava
force in the world"
Secretary Weeks paused and looked
IN from his manuscript to say In
solemn tone:
al want to say here and now that
cannot give q moments serious con
sideration to the possibility of wa
with Great Britain. Many of us ar
Of the same race. All of US speak thu
same language"
Applause interrupted the speake
there, and then he continued, saying:
ain my opinion, war between Grea
Britain and the United States, woul'
be the end Of civilization, and whateve
may be the folly Of the leaders II
either or both nations, the people o
Great Britain and the United State
would never support, indeed, the!
would not permit, contest betweel
word. | want to be prepared for ever.
contingency, but / do not wish to Sc
up bogie man."
Would Draft Whole Nation
Declaring the selective draft act wa:
vital to the conduct OF the war witt
Germany, MI. Weeks said:
1--WE should have gone further ant
il in the years to come we ever become
involved in another war we shoult
promptly enact O draft act not onl!
applying to those who are to fight bu
to every citizen engaged in any actlv
ity related to the conduct of hostill
ties. Every citizen within prescribed
age should be assigned to the activit!
for which he is best fitted and the ma
terial of the nation should be at thu
immediate service of the government
Only in this way can justice be done
to the individual citizen"
Discussing our present situation, n
said:
"The logic Of events seems to Civ
us a place in world affairs from whicl