Evening star., 1922-10-11
WASH|NGT0N'S WAY
TO INSURE PEACE
Letter Written in 1880, urg-
ing Preparedness, Read at
New York Dinner.
ARMY Then IN BAD SHAPE
Suggests Measures for Nations
Safety to Extent of abilities
and Finances.
ARMY THEN IN BAD SHAPE

NEW YORK. October 11.-An his
toric letter written by George Wash
lngton from continental army head
quarters in Morristown to Elbridge
Gerry. member of Congress. in Phi1a-
delphia, on January 90, 1850, describ-
ing the deplorable state Of the Amer
! lean army at that time and urging
preparedness as a means of achiev-
ing lasting peace, was made public
last night for the first time. at
dinner Of the American Sulgrave In
stitution.
There is nothing so likely to pro-
duce peace. says George Washington
in the letter. las to be well prepared
to meet the enemy, and, from this
persuasion. and the effect you justly
observe, the contrary on our part
might have on the court of France
and also on that of Spain. l think
1t would be right for us to hold forth
at least every appearance of prepara-
t'on and vigor. and really to do what
our abilities. and the circumstances
OF our finance may well justify"
Extract From Letter.
The rest of the letter reads:
Il received your obliging letter Of
the 18th. l am sorry to find that
Congress had not at that time made
any acquisitions of men from the
states, as it appears to me that the
army without reinforcements, by the
expiration of the enliStments of SO
many men and of the service of the
@ new leyies. as they are called. will
be much more reduced than will be
compatible with our interest and
policy. 1t was in part from the
probability that such an idea as the
one you suggest to have obtained
with some might take place, that l
of the 18th November the essential
differences between an army on
paper and its real efficient force. and
TO Illustrate the point by contrast
ing the columns of the present fit for
duty in the return transmitted, with
that of the total.
The hoDes indulged from the be-
ginning of the contest to the present
day from time to time. that a peace
would soon take place have been the
source, at least. of great expense, and
they may still prove so and the
means of protracting the war"
Suggestion of Preparedness.
Referring to his recommendation
of as much preparedness as "our
abilities and finances may justify"
Washington continues: THE latter
own is a most important considera-
tion. but cannot judge how far the
state OF it may or may not require
and a spirit of economy
or. indeed, inactivity in our affairs.
You will, however. perceive by a let
ter to Congress of the 18th by Baron
Steuben that l have again mentioned
my opinion of the proprety of plac-
ing the army on more respecta BILE |
footing than it will be at the OPEN |
yT1Cr of fha t,ot Lo,r
interposition and that 1 have offered !
the same in my letter to you, Mr..
and Mr.. Matthews.
With respect to provisions the po
sition of the army is comfortable at |
present on this head and I ardently |
it has been of late. We were re- !
duced to most painful and delicate |
extremity-such as rendered the |
keeping of the troops together a i
point of great doubt. The execution
of the magistrates and Inhabitants |
full for our relief
Alton h. Parker Presfdes.
The dinner. at which Alton B. |
Parker presided. was given in honor !
Of Sir Charles Cheers Wakefield. !
owner of the letter. Lady Wakefield |
and other delegates of the British |
Sulgrave Institution, who earlier in |
Cne QdE presented TO TRINITY Cnurcn
a bust of the late James Bryce. for |
merly British ambassador to the |
United States. :: !
At the presenta ton special serv- |
ices in memory of Lord Bryce were |
held. Sir Charles reviewed Lord !
Bryce's services to his own country. !
his friendly interest in America and |
his championing of the cause of op-
pressed nationalities.
I'VE do well to honor the memory
Of such a man." said Sir Charles "It
is right that I should dwell for a
moment upon his love for the Ameri-
can nation and his endeavors to
serve it. If he had written nothing
else at all. I think his monumental |
study Of American life. thought and'i
Institutions would -entitle him to our
gratitude and respect.
ut was Lord Bryce who recog-
splendor of the part reserved for the |
United States in the development of
His work has stood the
est of time and much credit is his
'or the immense progress that has
been made. since it was first given
% the world. in friendship and un-
between the two ma
ions"
Speaks for sulerave Institution.
Elihu Root spoke for the American
,ulgrave Institution, tracing Lord
3ryce's career as a student of human
behavior and human relationship to
government.
1--WE shall never realize" Mr..
Root declared, how valuable it was
or his country and for our own that
ord Bryce was ambassador to Amer
ca Immediately preceding the great
var" II