East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-11-11
HOW PRESIDENT WILSON TALKED TO HIS FIGHTING
MEN

From President Wilson's address to the officers of the At
1antc fleet August II, 1919
OW the point that constantly in mind gentlemen is
is one sense for amateurs Nobody before
be professional in like this Here two great navies
not to speak of the others associated with and the
British ounumberng by margin the to which
we opposed and casting about for way in which to
our superiority and strength because of the novelty of the
instruments used because of the unprecedented character OF
the war because as said just nobody before fought
land either that The experienced solder-expe
enced previous warsis back number far his expert
His experience does count because he fought
this is being fought and therefore is amateur along with the
body has got to think out not only way fight the subma
rne but to do something different from what doing
we are hunting hornets all the farm and letting the nest
alone None of us know how to to the nest and crush it,
and yet despair of hunting for hornets all the when
Know where the nest is and know that the nest breeding nor
nets fast as can find them, am willing for part and
know you are willing because know the stuff you are made OF
have crush out that nest because crush the
have here that do not where from
40 NOT care whether comes from the younges officer or the
eldest but want the officers of this have the distinction
and have just been talking plans for putting The
planning machinery OF the at the disposal of the brains of
because as have said before and want to repeat far
perence in this kind of is concerned all of the
rank saying that do expect the admirals tell
us what to do but saying that want the youngest and
do if he knows what is. Now am willing make any
flee for that mean sacrifice of time anything else
ready to put myself at the disposal officer the navy
who thinks he knows how this will not undertake
to tell whether he does not because know that 10 not
but will undertake to put him communication with those
who find whether his idea will work have the
authority to do that and will do with the greatest pleasure
We have got to throw tradition to the wind Now
said gentlemen take for granted that nothing here will
be repeated and therefore going this: every
we have suggested anything to the British admir- atty the reply
has come back that virtually amounted this that had
been done that and felt like saying: well nothing
ever done systematically nothing being done now
Therefore should like to somethg unusual happen,
tng that done before and nasmuch the things
fat are being done to before, don't
fore against those who doing them you There 9TH
er way to win and the whole principle of this the kind of
thng that ought to hearten and stimulate America.
America has always boased that she could
anything She the prize amateur nation world
many the prize professional nation of the world Now when
comes to doing things and doing them will back
the amateur aga the professional every time
feSsona does out book and the with
eyes open upon world and with circumstan-
ces He knows little about it that he is fool enough try
do the right thing The that do know the danger
the rseS ones and have several times venured
suggestion to the about both of the service
Please leave out of vocabulary altogether the
dence Do not stop to think about what prudent
men DO the thing that audaciouS to the
ana daring because that exactly the thing that the other
does not understand and will by auday meth
od when by crcumSpecton and prudence Ill
thnk tha there are willing to hear this the American
IN the because that
we are we get red of the old and the
So gentlemen besides coming give YOU nv per
sonal greeting and to how absolutely upon and
believe IN you have down here that depend
ON you depend on you for brains well training courage
and discipline.