New-York tribune., 1922-08-22
Harding Would
Train 100000
"A lear i'm Army
President Tells Student Sol
diers He Favors Such a
Step as Preparedness,
Not as Aggressive Act
Confident Of u. S. Safety
Republic Benefited as Well
as Civilians; Adrnira-
ton of Veterans Aroused

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21.--Tanned
and hardened By three weeks training
at Camp Meade, Maryland, thousand
citizen soldiers, most OF them still in
their teens, passed in review to.day
on the White House ellipse.
President Harding declared ity gave
him new assurance, new confidence and
new belief in the perpetuity of the
American Republic.
This opinion, voiced by the Chief
Executive in brief, extemporaneous
address, brought similar expressions of
commendation from grizzled and vet
eran army chiefs. Among them were
General Pershing, as well as Secre-
tary Weeks, other members of the
Cabinet and members OF the House and
Senate who stood in the reviewing line.
Concerned With Peace
The Presidents address follows:
II could not allow the opportunity
and congratuiation. You have afforded
US this morning, those who were in
review and those who carried on the
review, a most impressive and reas-
Republic wholly devoted to peace.
There is not thought in America Of
armed warfare. There is not design
on the part Of your country to carry
on an armed campaign in any direction.
"We are concerned only with peace
and the security of peace, and I like
to think that this great Republic, re-
ducing its regular army in accordance
with its ideals, can have the assurance
that comes to it with such spectacle
as you have given us this morning.
congratulate you with all my heart.
Equipped for Life Tasks
"It is a fine thing for the young
smanhood of America to turn from the
ordinary engagements of the vacation
season to a study of military service
and training for service. / am not
sure, however, but you have profited
quite as we'll as your country if my
eye testifies correctly. You have bene-
always means higher state Of Amer
lean manhood. You have benefited by
learning discipline. You have bene-
fited, as all America might we'll bene-
fit, by learning q little more impress
sively the obligations of the citizen to
his country.
"It is rather interesting thing
modern science has learned that the
ills of the nervous and mental being
may largely be cured by the develop
ment of the physical being, and take
1T that you have not only had whole
some time but that you are all return
ing to your normal pursuits better
equipped for the tasks of life
"You will be interested to know that
the volunteer citizens training move
ment last year enlisted about II 600
recruits. This year there were $4,000
Of you in the various camps. If could
have my wish this number would in
crease until more than 100000 were
annually studying and preparing for
armed service; not that we ever ex-
pect to be called upon for such serv-
ice, but solely for national defense and
the preservation of the governme ent un-
der which we all live.
You know modern soldiery is very
different from that Of nearly all the
history of the world. In olden times
those who were in the professions
compensated those in the pursuits of
war, Our soldering of to-day is solely
for national defense and the preser-
walton of the government under which
we live.
There is new assurance; there is
new confidence; there is new belief in
the perpetuity of the American Re-
public when one can stand as I have
stood this morning and note such q
company of ready volunteer defenders
as you have shown US in this review.
Again my congratulations and my
gratitude for your country"