Evening star., 1922-06-20
MILITARY SCHOOLS
PLEASE Mr.. WEEKS
Increasing Number Of Insti-
tutions Declared "Good
Sign" for Preparedness.
BY the AssOcia ted Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LEXINGTON. Va, June 20.-Secre-
tary Weeks hailed as good sign,
speaking here today to the gradual
ing class at the Virginia Military In
stitute, tho increasing number OF
military schools in the country. Tho
increase. he said, must be a great
satisfaction to those believing In ade-
quate military preparedness"
II do not mean preparation for
war" the Secretary continued. IAN
create a passion for war In fact, my
experience has been that those VINO
know most about war are the ones
most deSirous of preventing II. we
cannot be unmindful of the fact. how
ever. that in order to survive nation
must possess military force SUM-
cient to defend it from the enemy
without and within. to make secure
its sovereignty and secure enforce
ment of its laws.
Declared Excellent Training.
The federal government. especially
the War Department, places great re-
lance on the results of the education
and training at this institution i
believe that other things being equal.
in addition to his capacity to serve
his country in time of need, man
who has received military training
is better equipped to meet the prob
lens of life than the man who has not
had the benefit of such training. The
training given in the standard mill
tary schools Of our country is great
asset to the young man about to un-
dertake a career and the responsible
tiles of citizenship. 1t gives him polse.
a disciplined mind and body. decisive
ness of action. a knowledge of the
advantages of clean thinking and liv-
| ing and a high sense of honor.
Il appeal to you, therefore. what
ever may be your vocation after
leaving this institution. to devote
some part of your time to the affairs
of your country. 1t is not necessary
for you to hold public office. but II
country the benefit Of the training
and education you have received
here Resist all attempts to turn
from the representative form of gov
ernment created by the Constitution
and take an active interest in the
affairs of your community to the ex-
tent of seeing that only wise. trust
worthy and courageous men are
elected to public office. This is the
duty of the good citizen. and unless
we can obtain from such schools as
| this and the multitude of schools
maintained throughout the country
men capable of performing these i'm
portant duties of citizenship. then
we must face the certainty of fail
ure of popular government.
Trained to Lead Men.
You have been trained to lead
men. Should your country become
engaged in war 1t will be your duty
to command your fellow men in the
defense of the nation. Let me urge
Won to keep yourselves prepared for
efflcient service to the nation in the
event of such an emergency by join
ing the National Guard or the Or
ganized Reserve. If you do not wish
! to become connected with a military
orranization at least take an active
interest in the military establish
ment and determine that your coun-
| trv will have the best trained and
most efficient military force 1t is
possible to develop and that 1t shall
| be of sufficient strength to meet the
requirement of the nation